Historical Sites | My Branson

Ralph Foster Museum

The Ozarks 40,000 Square Foot Heritage Museum The Ralph Foster museum is located at the College of the Ozarks just two miles south of Branson. This 40,000 square foot museum consists of stuffed animals, antiques, weapons, dolls and a large collection of Western

Bonniebrook

Bonniebrook – Home of the Famous Kewpie Dolls Bonniebrook was home to the famous Rose O’Neill, inventor of the Kewpie Doll. The Kewpie Doll was the first American Doll phenomenon. In 1909 Rose O’Neill fell asleep in her studio and dreamed of cupid characters all around her and in her hands. When she awoke from her nap, she instantly started drawing and the Kewpie Doll was born. The Doll was as instant success and let to the creation of large and small porcelain German made characters. Before the first dolls where created, Rose traveled to Germany to insure that the dolls were created in her vision. During the 1940’s Rose lost the majority of her fortune and her homes due to the lavish lifestyle she lived. During this timeframe, a German freighter ship carrying thousands of Kewpie Dolls where sank by the British during World War I. Rose...

Shepherd of the Hills

Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre Branson, Missouri tourism is largely connected to the publication of a 1907 novel written by Harold Bell Wright named The Shepherd of the Hills. Instructed by his physician, Mr. Wright started coming to the Ozarks from Kansas in 1898. With permission of homestead owners John and Anna Ross, Harold pitched a tent on their property that is now the location of Inspiration Point. The spectacular views of the Ozarks seen from this point are detailed in the Shepherd of the Hills novel. The novel uses fictitious names of actual Ozark settlers that Mr. Wright encountered during his eight-summer stay. The book became the fourth most widely read book in history. The success of the book intrigued many Americans who then visited Branson to see where Mr. Wright received his inspiration. The Ross’s eventually sold their homestead to aSpringfield native Lizzie McDaniel. Lizzie did not want...