314-580-3455 | The DealMaker Town Histories | Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History
Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History — From the Osage River to Bagnell Dam and the Strip
Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History tells the story of the people, places, businesses, schools, attractions and major events that transformed the Osage River country into one of Missouri's most recognized tourism communities.
This DealMaker Town Histories publication follows the Lake Ozark area from the river settlements that existed before Bagnell Dam through construction of the dam, creation of the Lake of the Ozarks, growth of the historic Bagnell Dam Strip, development of School of the Osage, Lake-area resorts, entertainment attractions and the businesses and personalities that became part of the community's identity.
Long before the modern Lake of the Ozarks existed, this region was Osage River country. Early Miller County settlement history includes William West and other settlers who came into an area shaped by the river, farming, churches, timber and small communities. Miller County was organized in 1837, and the Osage River continued to influence transportation, settlement and commerce throughout the nineteenth century.
Old Gilgal Church near Little Gravois Creek represents another part of the early community history of Miller County and the Lake Ozark region.
Adelaide, Missouri became one of the early communities associated with the area before modern Lake Ozark. Adelaide's post office opened in 1880, with Samuel Umstead serving as postmaster and storekeeper. Adelaide represents an important chapter in the history of the communities that existed before the railroad and later construction of Bagnell Dam changed the area forever.
Bagnell, Missouri grew around the railroad terminus during the early 1880s. William Bagnell surveyed the original town in 1883. Adelaide's post office later moved to Bagnell. Railroad traffic, river commerce, farming, timber and shipments of white-oak railroad ties helped Bagnell develop into an important local trading and transportation community.
The defining event in Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History was the construction of Bagnell Dam between 1929 and 1931.
Union Electric financed the project, while Stone & Webster organized engineering and construction. The project included the dam, powerhouse, reservoir, roads, worker camps, transmission infrastructure and numerous supporting facilities.
Construction crews began major grading and excavation during 1929. Reservoir clearing followed, excavation progressed around the dam site and temporary structures were constructed to control the Osage River while concrete work moved forward.
During 1930, construction of the powerhouse and major sections of Bagnell Dam accelerated. Thousands of workers took part in what became one of the most significant construction projects in Missouri history.
The highway slab across Bagnell Dam was completed in early 1931. The reservoir began filling, water eventually reached the spillway crest and the enormous body of water that became the Lake of the Ozarks began taking shape.
Bagnell Dam construction also created an entire temporary community.
Camp Bagnell included worker housing, dormitories, dining facilities, a commissary, medical services and other facilities needed to support thousands of workers and their families.
Names connected with the construction era include Storm's Boarding House, Pepper Cabin Camp, Spring Camp, Conner Camp, Madison Bear and Jim Prewitt.
These names help preserve the human side of Bagnell Dam construction and remind visitors that the project was much more than concrete, turbines and engineering. It involved thousands of workers, families and businesses whose lives became part of the Lake of the Ozarks story.
As the reservoir filled and tourism developed, Lake Ozark emerged as a new community.
The Lake Ozark post office opened October 1, 1932, with Frank Andrews serving as the first postmaster. Lake Ozark later incorporated as a city in 1966.
After completion of Bagnell Dam, the Lake of the Ozarks quickly became a tourism destination.
Businesses, restaurants, attractions, candy stores, souvenir shops, arcades and entertainment venues began developing along what became the famous Bagnell Dam Strip.
The historic Bagnell Dam Strip became a destination in its own right and introduced generations of Missouri families and tourists to Lake Ozark.
People remembered in Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History include Frank Andrews, Lee Mace, Joyce Mace, Mike Page, Joe Page, Janelle Page, Richard Brown, Jim Baumgartner, Carl Lake, Emily Lake and Donald E. Feese.
Historic businesses and attractions associated with the Bagnell Dam Strip include Leather Man, Grandma's Candy Kitchen, Dogpatch, Ozark Sun, Summer USA, Richard's Relic Shack, Lake's Fudge, the Lake Ozark McDonald's, Rebel Arcade, Skee-Ball, Two-Bit Town, Fun City and Arrowhead Lodge.
Lee and Joyce Mace became closely associated with Lake-area entertainment beginning in the 1950s and became recognizable names in the history of Lake Ozark.
Mike Page became an important Lake Ozark business figure associated with Leather Man, Dogpatch and Grandma's Candy Kitchen.
Joe and Janelle Page continued the Strip business tradition through Ozark Sun and Summer USA.
Richard Brown opened Richard's Relic Shack in 1989, adding another recognizable business to the Strip.
Carl and Emily Lake became associated with the family candy-making tradition at Lake's Fudge.
The amusement era of the Strip also included Donald E. Feese and Amusement Centers, Inc., along with attractions remembered through Rebel Arcade, Skee-Ball, Two-Bit Town and Fun City.
Lake Ozark tourism was never limited to businesses on land.
Historic excursion boats remembered in the publication include the Larry Don, Commander and Tom Sawyer.
These sightseeing boats carried generations of visitors onto the Lake of the Ozarks and became part of the tourism experience associated with Lake Ozark.
Arrowhead Lodge represents another chapter in the history of early Lake-area lodging and hospitality.
One of the most recognizable annual traditions connected with the Bagnell Dam Strip is the Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals.
The Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals brings classic cars, restored automobiles, street rods, muscle cars and custom vehicles onto the historic Bagnell Dam Strip.
For generations of visitors, Magic Dragon has combined Lake Ozark tourism with American automobile culture and has helped draw spring visitors to Miller County and the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Lake Area Chamber of Commerce has been closely associated with the event, and names connected with its organization and history include Trish Creech, K.C. Cloke and Pamela Poliquin.
Education represents another major chapter in Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History.
The original School of the Osage high-school building was constructed in 1933–1934.
A grade-school portion was added in 1938.
A gymnasium, cafeteria and additional classrooms followed in 1952.
Leland O. Mills Elementary School opened in 1964 and received an addition in 1969.
Property along Highway 42 was purchased in 1978 for a new high school and athletic facilities.
The School of the Osage athletic complex was dedicated during the 1980s, and the new School of the Osage High School opened on Highway 42 in 1986.
The original School of the Osage high-school building later served junior-high students and remains part of the district's educational history.
The Osage Indians football tradition has also become an important part of Lake Ozark community life.
Friday-night football, school athletics and School of the Osage traditions have brought generations of students, parents, alumni, coaches and residents together.
Lake Ozark's hotel and resort history is represented by the property that opened in 1965 as the Holiday Inn Lake of the Ozarks.
The Holiday Inn property operated south of Bagnell Dam and promoted accommodations, restaurants, cocktail lounges, a sing-along piano bar, heated swimming pools, sauna facilities, marina access, children's programs and convention facilities.
The property became part of the Lake Ozark hospitality landscape for decades.
After changes in ownership and identity over the years, local developer Merlyn Vandervort began acquiring the property in 2021.
Extensive redevelopment, renovations and improvements helped transform the property into The Encore Lakeside Grill & Sky Bar and The Resort at Lake of the Ozarks.
Merlyn Vandervort's broader Lake-area development history also includes Camden on the Lake Resort and The Horny Toad.
The Horny Toad grew from a waterfront entertainment business into one of the recognizable names associated with nightlife, dining and entertainment at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Today, Lake Ozark continues to attract visitors for Bagnell Dam, the historic Bagnell Dam Strip, boating, fishing, sightseeing, restaurants, resorts, entertainment, car shows, festivals, shopping and Lake of the Ozarks recreation.
The DealMaker also has its own long history connected with Lake Ozark.
From 2005 through 2013, The DealMaker publication showcased the Miracle Mile in Lake Ozark, Missouri.
The DealMaker helped promote businesses, restaurants, entertainment, shopping and other commercial activity in the Lake Ozark area during that period.
AmeriShop.biz has been online since 2010 and has continued building searchable business directories, digital advertising, town-history publications, business promotions and other online marketing resources.
Dependable Brokers later became another part of the AmeriShop and DealMaker business network, providing business insurance services while supporting the broader business directory and marketing platform.
This DealMaker Town Histories publication was produced by AmeriShop Services LLC.
The purpose of the Town Histories project is to preserve community stories while also helping names, businesses, landmarks, attractions and important local people remain discoverable through internet search.
Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History connects the earliest river settlements with the modern tourism community.
It preserves the stories of Adelaide and Bagnell, the construction of Bagnell Dam, Camp Bagnell, the historic Bagnell Dam Strip, School of the Osage, the Osage Indians, Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals, historic excursion boats, resorts, restaurants, attractions, candy stores, arcades and the businesses and families that helped build Lake Ozark.
Visitors researching Bagnell Dam history, Lake Ozark Missouri history, Miller County Missouri history, the Bagnell Dam Strip, School of the Osage, Magic Dragon, historic Lake Ozark businesses or Lake of the Ozarks tourism can use this publication as a starting point for discovering the community's story.
Explore Old Bagnell and Lake Ozark Missouri Town History — from Adelaide, Bagnell and the Osage River to Bagnell Dam, the Bagnell Dam Strip, School of the Osage, Magic Dragon, historic resorts, local businesses and the people who helped make Lake Ozark a Missouri tourism tradition.
About This Listing
This historical directory listing is presented through Dependable Brokers as part of The DealMaker Town Histories. Publication credit: The DealMaker Town Histories · AmeriShop Services LLC · DependableBrokers.com.
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