| Copyright 2007 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
Big Cedar Resort - Branson, Missouri
www.exploresouthernhistory.com
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| Big Cedar Resort - Branson Big Cedar Resort, located just south of Branson, Missouri, is a fascinating combination of modern comfort and historical preservation, |
Big Cedar - Branson's Wilderness History
Located off Highway 86 just south of Branson, Big Cedar Resort is
one of Missouri's premier accommodations. Not only does the
resort provide modern hotel rooms and cabins, restaurants and
recreational opportunities, Big Cedar also preserves a touch of the
wilderness history of the Missouri Ozarks. Plus the resort is one of
few that can claim its own ghost!
Although there are many fine resorts in the Branson area, this one is
special. Originally a stretch of pristine Ozark terrain, the area around
the famed Devil's Pool and Big Cedar Hollow attracted the attention
of two prominent Missouri businessmen during the 1920s. Harry
Worman, an executive with the Frisco Railroad, and fellow
entrepreneur Jude Simmons fell in love with the site and purchased
300 acres here.
Both Worman and Simmons built beautiful homes of the property.
Simmons' original log mansion is now the Devil's Pool Restaurant
and Worman's Tudor home is now the Worman House Restaurant.
Both are key architectural landmarks on the Big Cedar grounds.
Legend holds, in fact, that one of the original residents still haunts
the grounds. Dorothy Worman, the wife of Harry Worman, is said to
have hated living in the beautiful but remote hollow. As the story
goes, after she died at an early age, locals began to see her
spectral image in and around the Worman House.
The Great Depression ended the early days of prosperity and by
World War II, the grounds were largely vacant again. Dan Norris
purchased the property in 1947 and operated it as the "Devil's Pool
Guest Ranch" throughout the 1950s.
The property was eventually acquired by Bass Pro Shops. Company
founder John Morris spearheaded the effort to restore the Simmons
and Worman homes and developed Big Cedar into one of America's
premier resorts. For reservations or other information, please visit
www.bigcedar.com.
one of Missouri's premier accommodations. Not only does the
resort provide modern hotel rooms and cabins, restaurants and
recreational opportunities, Big Cedar also preserves a touch of the
wilderness history of the Missouri Ozarks. Plus the resort is one of
few that can claim its own ghost!
Although there are many fine resorts in the Branson area, this one is
special. Originally a stretch of pristine Ozark terrain, the area around
the famed Devil's Pool and Big Cedar Hollow attracted the attention
of two prominent Missouri businessmen during the 1920s. Harry
Worman, an executive with the Frisco Railroad, and fellow
entrepreneur Jude Simmons fell in love with the site and purchased
300 acres here.
Both Worman and Simmons built beautiful homes of the property.
Simmons' original log mansion is now the Devil's Pool Restaurant
and Worman's Tudor home is now the Worman House Restaurant.
Both are key architectural landmarks on the Big Cedar grounds.
Legend holds, in fact, that one of the original residents still haunts
the grounds. Dorothy Worman, the wife of Harry Worman, is said to
have hated living in the beautiful but remote hollow. As the story
goes, after she died at an early age, locals began to see her
spectral image in and around the Worman House.
The Great Depression ended the early days of prosperity and by
World War II, the grounds were largely vacant again. Dan Norris
purchased the property in 1947 and operated it as the "Devil's Pool
Guest Ranch" throughout the 1950s.
The property was eventually acquired by Bass Pro Shops. Company
founder John Morris spearheaded the effort to restore the Simmons
and Worman homes and developed Big Cedar into one of America's
premier resorts. For reservations or other information, please visit
www.bigcedar.com.
| The Worman House - Big Cedar The Worman House at Big Cedar Resort is said to be haunted by the ghost of one of its original inhabitants. Today it is a restaurant. |