Wow Branson (Rolla, Ozark, Belle: condos, how much, attorney)

[STLCardsBlues1989]

If any of you have Google Earth (you can download it free, it's pretty cool), you can look at satellite images of Branson as far back as 1990.

I was amazed at how much Branson has grown. One could look at it as good or bad or both. But large areas were forested in 1990 and are now commercial places and parking lots. It just blew me away.

I'm sure 20yearsinbranson would have some first-hand stories also.

Just found that interesting.

[Hillman]

I remember when Branson had one Theater and no Food or drink was allowed.I remember when Silver Dollar City opened.Not much in the way of rides other than the Train and Stagecoach.

But this was a couple years ago.Here is a Pic of me down in the Parking lot at Taneycomo.



hillman

[Cali BassMan]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

I was amazed at how much Branson has grown. One could look at it as good or bad or both. But large areas were forested in 1990 and are now commercial places and parking lots. It just blew me away.

.

That Sucks.

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

One could look at it as good or bad or both. But large areas were forested in 1990 and are now commercial places and parking lots. It just blew me away.

When developers bulldoze the trees down and blast away the hills in the Branson area, that is said to be a good thing because it provides high-paying jobs for locals, residences for newcomers who bring in new money, room for new theaters to appeal to tourists.

Yet if loggers were to be allowed to clear-cut anywhere in the Deep Ozarks, to harvest logs to sell and feed their families, plus pay taxes for the poor schools in that region, it would be called raping the land because it takes 50 years for the trees to grow back.

And some, not all, of the people complaining of the clear-cutting would be wealthy folks, some but not all of which from the city, who live in fine houses in places where trees have been bulldozed and hills have been dynamited. They've got their wealth; they don't care about the poor folks who live in the Deep Ozarks.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by STLCardsBlues1989

If any of you have Google Earth (you can download it free, it's pretty cool), you can look at satellite images of Branson as far back as 1990.

I was amazed at how much Branson has grown. One could look at it as good or bad or both. But large areas were forested in 1990 and are now commercial places and parking lots. It just blew me away.

I'm sure 20yearsinbranson would have some first-hand stories also.

Just found that interesting.

If you want to see some amazing photographs of the Branson area around the early 1900s please visit George E. Hall Photo Postcards, No. 300-399.

Yes, I have seen many changes since first moving here in 1987. The most interesting thing is when you haven't traveled down a certain road for many years, and then all of a sudden you DO and now there are condos and houses built up where once there was only deer woods! It's shocking to say the least.

I often have a problem with progress. In the immortal words of that song... Paradise....

"Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man.

Sometimes - no, OFTEN - progress is just an excuse to consume the natural resources that we have for the sole purpose of greed and profiteering. Did you know that Branson is on the migratory path for hundreds of bird species? Can you imagine how deforesting HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of acres of natural woodland impacts the habitat for not only migratory birds but a plethora of other wildlife as well? Call me a party pooper, but I do not believe that such things can ever be considered good.

20yrsinBranson

[OA 5599]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

Yet if loggers were to be allowed to clear-cut anywhere in the Deep Ozarks, to harvest logs to sell and feed their families, plus pay taxes for the poor schools in that region, it would be called raping the land because it takes 50 years for the trees to grow back.

Loggers are allowed to clear-cut anywhere in the Deep Ozarks. There sure aren't any regulations on logging in the Ozarks outside of government-owned land...if you've got them, cut 'em down! You may ruffle the feathers of some green-minded individuals like myself, but the the law sure won't come knocking if you slice down every single tree on your own land. However smart timber harvesting is much more beneficial to the long-term health of the forest, the region, and the economic interests of the owners/loggers.

[firebll31]

I've been going to Branson regularly since the mid-80s. You used to be able to come around the corner from Shepherd of the Hills and look out across the valley at only trees, with the occasional puff of smoke from a cabin down below. I practically cried when they started cutting huge chunks out of the hills to make roads. Really ruined the view. Silver Dollar City was about old-time living then and locally made jewelry and crafts. Now its about the rides and Nickelodeon and stuff made in China. Still fun, but different. My husband's family had reunions at Shepherd of the Hills long before the tower was built, and there were picnic tables up there, and it was free. Celebration City was Mutton Hollow. Starvin Marvin's was a great restaurant.

Does anyone remember a SDC ride called the Diving Bell? I got scared to death in that thing when I was about 10!

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by ozarksboy

When developers bulldoze the trees down and blast away the hills in the Branson area, that is said to be a good thing because it provides high-paying jobs for locals, residences for newcomers who bring in new money, room for new theaters to appeal to tourists.

Yet if loggers were to be allowed to clear-cut anywhere in the Deep Ozarks, to harvest logs to sell and feed their families, plus pay taxes for the poor schools in that region, it would be called raping the land because it takes 50 years for the trees to grow back.

And some, not all, of the people complaining of the clear-cutting would be wealthy folks, some but not all of which from the city, who live in fine houses in places where trees have been bulldozed and hills have been dynamited. They've got their wealth; they don't care about the poor folks who live in the Deep Ozarks.

Most landowners engage in selective cutting. I should know since I live in the Applalachians. The conservation ethic is strong here and it maintains a vibrant and healthy forest. A few bad apples in the bunch give loggers a bad reputation. The most eggregious violations are taken up by the attorney general in my state and they must file the necessary documents to protect wetlands areas as well as past records for violations.

[Hillman]

Me and my wife made a trip to Branson here couple years ago.She had never been.We camped at the State Park.Had Tickets for Shepard of the Hills,Sons of the Pioneers,and two days at Silver Dollar City.

Well we went to Shepard of the Hills and Sons of the Pioneers first day.Second day went to Silver Dollar City the second day.Wife said she didn't like the place and we wasn't going back the second day.So we got Tickets for the Branson Belle,now she enjoyed that.

Oh we got caught up in one of those Time Share Deals I wrote them out a Big Check.Slep on it over night,called my Bank and put a stop on the check and had to go back where we got it,got things lined out.Took up some time but we weren't out a bunch of money for something we really didn't want.

Oh as far as all the trees down there going away.Up here at Lake of the Ozarks they are blasting the bluffs off around the lake and building Condos fast as they can.

hillman

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by Cali BassMan

That Sucks.

BassMan, it's called economic development. Branson attracts a lot of folks to Missouri and they bring money, which promotes economic activity. Well, here's the way someone more articulate than I put it on another thread when I was foolishly preaching against the changes caused by the amount of development necessitated by out-of-state folks and businesses moving in to our state.

Originally Posted by tambre

Just remember, the land doesn't belong to you. The Missourians who are selling their land are making money. Do you have a problem with them? The people who are building the houses are making money...should they not make a living, just to spite the evil newcomers? Should the realtors and grocers and doctors and vets and feed stores and gas stations also resent us...but take our cash? If I get a job taking care of disabled people...will you resent that, because I'm taking a job away from a Missourian. I really have to stand up against this one sided tirade as I don't think it is fair or just, or does anything to help people live peacefully together. Phewww...that felt good.

Tambre is absolutely 100 percent correct. It's a matter of private property rights and we ought not forget it. We shouldn't say that it sucks, as you have done, and we shouldn't go on tirades, as I have done.

Rolla business and civic leaders would love to see the kind of growth Branson has seen. I'm sure every community in southern Missouri would gladly sacrifice a few trees and hills to replicate that in their towns.