Most people who have been to Branson have at least heard of the Shepherd of the Hills theater, one of the original shows that brought thousands to the Ozarks community before even the country starts moved in.
The show was based on a book written by minister Harold Bell Wright, who had moved into the Ozarks in search of better health. The book was such a success that many wandered into the area to see the places that he had written of. In 1949, the large wooden tower on Inspiration Point was built, becoming a landmark for many to see. The owners of the homestead-turned-tourist attraction kicked off their first show in 1960.
The production began to struggle in recent years, and organizers debated on closing in 2014. As you can see in their Facebook post above, they have decided to call it quits.
Springfield, Missouri television station KY3 reports that a bank that had been sustaining the show declined to renew the company’s operating loan, and subsequently foreclosed on the property. They will officially take possession of the company assets on Wednesday.
Grant Merrill
Grant Merrill is the Publisher of InsideFortSmith.Com, and owner of parent company Great Plains Digital Media. Prior to jumping into the digital world, he was a longtime sports talk show host on stations across Arkansas. E-Mail: [email protected]
