Branson, Missouri
Branson is a city in the U.S. state of Missouri. Most of the city is situated in Taney County, with a small portion in the west extending into Stone County. Branson is in the Ozark Mountains. The community was named after Reuben Branson, postmaster and operator of a general store in the area in the 1880s.[7] The population was 12,638 at the 2020 census.[8]
Branson, Missouri
Branson has long been a popular destination for vacationers from Missouri and around the country. The collection of entertainment theaters along 76 Country Boulevard (and to a lesser extent along Shepherd of the Hills Expressway), including Dolly Parton's Stampede, has increased Branson's popularity as a tourist destination.
Entertainment and performing arts[edit]
Branson is famous for its numerous entertainment theaters, which host residency shows in music, dance, magic, and other performing arts.
One prominent theater in Branson is the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center and Theatre. It hosts annual shows year round, but most prominent are the Christmas shows hosted by The Osmonds and The Lennon Sisters.[21]
Education[edit]
Branson R-IV School District operates four elementary schools, Branson Jr. High School and Branson High School.[33]
The town has a lending library, the Taneyhills Community Library.[34]
Healthcare[edit]
Branson is served by the 165 bed full-service hospital and emergency department Cox Regional Medical Center and the Mercy Health System multi-specialty clinic.[35][36][37]
Transportation[edit]
Highways[edit]
U.S. Route 65 runs north and south, connecting Branson to Springfield to the north, and Little Rock to the south. Missouri Route 76 ran through Branson. In 2020, Route 76 was rerouted onto the existing Ozark Mountain Highroad replacing Route 465. The old alignment now forms 76 Country Boulevard.
Air[edit]
Branson is served primarily by Branson Airport, the closest commercial airport, which opened in May 2009. It is the largest privately owned commercial airport in the United States. Over the years, the airport has had on-again off-again service from carriers such as AirTran, Sun Country, and Frontier.
The two closest commercial airports to Branson with more extensive airline service are the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) located in Springfield, Missouri, which is about 52 miles from Branson, and Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), in Bentonville, Arkansas, which is about 96 miles from Branson. Between these two airports, service is offered to cities such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, and Denver which allows connections to other cities.
M. Graham Clark Field in Branson is a general aviation airport, which serves mainly single engine aircraft.
Rail[edit]
Branson is served by the Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA), owned by shortline holding company Genesee & Wyoming. The MNA is an important link between Kansas City, Missouri, and Newport, Arkansas.[38] The Branson Scenic Railway operates round-trip sightseeing trains out of Branson through a lease agreement with the MNA.[39] The trackage used was constructed in the 1900s by the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, later absorbed by the Missouri Pacific.
