Snapp's Bald Mountain (Springfield, Ozark, Branson: hotel, big house, live)

[mamagator54]

Jessaka,
The only Oak Grove School I could find in my Global Earth search was a Oak Grove School (historical) of 94 east of Jefferson City. But could not find one near Forsyth. Hope you have been able to find what you are looking for.

[Mattie Jo]

hi, yes, i found what i was looking for. some others pinpointed it down for me, and i am sure locals will know when we do go there. thanks. it must have been an old school house that no longer stands and wasn't the name of a town.

[Mattie Jo]

Hi again, I am getting ready to make my trip, and I am wondering how to get ahold of the Shepherd of the Hills group?

[Mattie Jo]

Take 76 east to T highway. Go down T to Sunset Inn Road. There is a kind of triangle there , with the old Oak Grove schoolhouse to the right. Snapp’s Bald is the big hill on your right.

This information just came from the Historical Society, so I imagine that it is near the Golf Course mentioned on the first page.

And another email:

Take 76 east out of Branson to T highway. Go down T to Sunset Inn Road on your left. There is a kind of triangle there , with the old Oak Grove schoolhouse to the right after you make the turn. Snapp’s Bald is the big hill on your right.

Almost the same.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by jessaka

Hi again, I am getting ready to make my trip, and I am wondering how to get ahold of the Shepherd of the Hills group?

These folks:
The Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Theatre
5586 W. Hwy 76
Branson , MO 65616
(417) 334-4191
* Administrative Fax (417) 334-4617
* Reservations Fax (417) 334-4464
1-800-653-6288
The Shepherd of the Hills (http://www.oldmatt.com/flash/ - broken link) - click on 'contact us'

The site you are looking for is just a few thousand feet from Branson itself. Put "branson, mo" into Google search, hit map, then terrain [upper right] - you will then see "Snapp Balds". Can also see it here:
Snapp Balds USGS Branson Quad, Missouri, Topographic Map
and also from one of my favourite sites:
http://www.mountainzone.com/mountain...est=Branson+MO

ps: Ozarks21 - spot on with that description!

pps: jessaka - take some photos, and put 'em here - love to see what ya find, along with a trip report...

[Mattie Jo]

Hi, I couldn't get the links to work.

I called Shepherd of the Hills, and they gave me the Historic society. I have another letter that I haven't entered:

Hi, I'm with the White River Valley Historical Society.
Snapp Bald, or more correctly, Balds, is a series of hills west of Kirbyville, which is a village between Branson and Forsyth. I believe all of them are private property. The main bald, where Nat Kinney held one of the first Bald Knobber meetings, is located down a side road off T Hwy, which meanders through the balds. The original Oak Grove School burned in the early 1900s, and a stone building was erected at the foot of the bald in a different location. Offhand, I don't remember what the name of the road is, but it's off Sunset Inn. These are not tourist locations, but hopefully someday, we'll be able to have a driving tour to some of these historic places, with permission from the property owners.
You don't indicate in your email what your purpose is, nor when you plan to come, but our society sponsors a re-enactment of the Bald Knobber era on May 11. This year, because of flooding, the play will take place in Taneyville.
Some history on the Snapps--The Harrison, or "Hack", Snapp farm was located just south of the former town site of Forsyth, on land that now has housing subdivisions on it. You drive through the land on E. Hwy. 76, just up from Bull Shoals Lake. Snapp Cemetery is located there, and as a matter of fact, is seeing some historic flooding near the knoll it is located on. It is not in danger at this time.
There are still some Snapp descendants in this area. I am not one of them, but know a little of the family history.

I will take photos and place them here. I wish I could walk up to the mountain top, but the owners won't allow it. The Historical Society is trying to get them to allow them to bring groups up there. Wish I knew who owned the property.

I also ordered the Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer so I will have it spotted on the map.

Isn't Laura Ignalls place in Missouri too? We want to visit it. If anyone has any other places to see let me know. I am not much interested in Dollywood, although my sister and niece may be. I remember going through it a few years ago, but I didn't know that Snapp's was nearby.

[ShadowCaver]

Originally Posted by jessaka

Hi, I couldn't get the links to work.
,,,snip,,,

Interesting - I just tried the links here, and they worked for me... anyone else have troubles or success? If no good, what is happening?

In any case, sounds like you are making progress.

[Mattie Jo]

Now they are working for me too.

[Mattie Jo]

I found Snapp Bald. We drove up there last Saturday, and I followed directions and found the Oak Grove school on Sunset and the bald where they met first was to the right of it. Then I learned that the entire range of mountains is called Snapp Balds. It was interesting to see the place. Then we went to the Bald Knobber's Day play in Taneyville, and the people were just wonderful, and the play was great. I think it was the highlight of our trip.

Oakgrove School and Church, rebuilt. The original was made of wood:

[Mattie Jo]

This is a group of trees to the right of the school house. that is actually Snap Bald where they held their first meetings. Couldn't see the mountain due to the trees.