Author: ridesparky

[caption id="attachment_509" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Sammy Lane Camp and Downtown Branson, circa 1930[/caption]   It's clear to say that the history of Branson and the surrounding region is inextricably tied to the White River, the only significant waterway for most of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas. The untamed river shaped the settlement of Branson and other towns in the region in the 1800s, both for good and for bad. Even today, it continues to be a major economic driver for the area. In the first years, the river provided an essential link for travel and commerce, but it also spread damage with its frequent flooding. In later years, after the river was dammed and as Branson became popular with tourists, the waterway and its lakes became attractions in their own right, drawing…

[caption id="attachment_474" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Downtown Branson's Liberty Plaza[/caption]   At the intersection of Pacific Street and Veterans Boulevard (Business 65) is Branson's newest city park and venue: Liberty Plaza. The $4.2 million park covers one-half of a city block and features a new parking lot, a live performance stage, brick-paver and stone walkways, air-conditioned public restrooms and a dramatic new water feature. And of course, Liberty Plaza is also home to the newest RideSparky trolley stop!   [caption id="attachment_475" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The new covered trolley stop sits at the Pacific Street entrance to Liberty Plaza[/caption]   An old Branson landmark until about a decade ago, the Liberty Tree was the chief inspiration for the name of Liberty Plaza. The plaza seeks to recapture the legacy of the tree as the city’s…

[caption id="attachment_466" align="aligncenter" width="3000"] Downtown Branson Trolley Stop #5/13[/caption] The Main Street / Commercial Street stop is the most popular in the RideSparky system, and now that Phase 3 of the downtown streetscape project is nearing completion, it's a great time to rediscover this beautiful trolley stop and all of the great shopping and dining surrounding this spot. Great Eats Within one block of the trolley stop, you have the following restaurants, diners and specialty food shops: Noodle 22 Clocker's Cafe Farmhouse Restaurant Branson Cafe Greek Gyros and Deli Mr. B's Ice Cream Parlor Amazing Shopping Dick's 5 & 10 P. Graham Dunn Ozark Quilts and More Downtown Casual Wear Lil' Shop of Leather Patricia's Victorian House Main Street Philatelics Alex and Alaina's Treasure Chest Enchanted Memories Cowboy Creed Crain…

[caption id="attachment_456" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] The parking sign at Commercial and Pacific streets is one of many places downtown you can see the Liberty Tree icon.[/caption]   Longtime Branson residents and visitors remember the Liberty Tree, a more than 200-year-old bur oak tree along the Branson Landing waterfront. The tree served as a landmark and gathering place throughout much of the city’s first century. Thanks to the Downtown Branson streetscape project, the historic tree’s memory is preserved in a number of ways. If you look closely, you’ll notice that in many places — such as atop each of downtown’s new street signs — is a Liberty Tree emblem. This icon is now used throughout downtown as a tribute to the oak. And of course the tree’s name was the chief inspiration for…

The Branson area is one of the most picturesque areas in the Midwest, and these are a few of the many great spots in Downtown Branson for shutterbugs and selfies.   1. The Branson Postcard Mural Painted in 2016, this mural has quickly become one of the favorite selfie spots in Branson. Located on Sycamore Street on the side of Cadwell's Downtown Flea Market, the 20-foot-high mural towers over anybody standing in front of it.   2. Dicks 5 & 10 / Main Street Directly across Main Street from Trolley Stop #5/#13 is one of downtown's landmarks, Dicks 5 & 10. The store itself and the items inside make a fascinating subject, and Main Street's sidewalks are another great selfie location.   3. The Branson Landing Boardwalk This more than…

[caption id="attachment_416" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Stop #1 is inside the Lakeside RV Park and provides easy access to the south end of Branson Landing's parking lot, which is home to the Branson Farmers' Market and other events.[/caption]   The first stop in the Sparky trolley system is the southernmost part of the system: The Lakeside RV Park. Located at a covered pavilion at the foot of the Lake Taneycomo Bridge, this stop gives campers an easy way to get throughout downtown Branson. It also gives riders who have parked elsewhere an opportunity to explore one of the most scenic spots along the lake.   [caption id="attachment_418" align="aligncenter" width="800"] The Lakeside RV Park is owned by the City of Branson and features 160 camping sites, fishing docks and a dog park.[/caption]  …