Ozarks Ephemera

08/15/2026

A mailer for Devil’s Pool Guest Ranch, which sat on the property that is now Big Cedar Lodge, in Ridgedale. According to the Big Cedar Lodge website:

“In 1947, Dan Norris, a real estate executive and hotel operator purchased the property. Norris added a lodge, swimming pool and stable, creating Devil’s Pool Guest Ranch. In 1958, the White River was dammed to form Table Rock Lake, setting the stage for the premier wilderness resort in the Ozarks, Big Cedar Lodge.

Bass Pro Shops’ founder, Johnny Morris, purchased the property in 1987, restored the Simmons and Worman buildings to their original prominence and began to build a larger wilderness resort.”

08/15/2026

A Hotel Rockaway placemat from the 1940s.

08/14/2026

08/08/2026

Taney County, MO. An image of Mary Elizabeth Mahnkey, the Poet Laureate of the Ozarks, in her home. The photo was taken by photographer Frank Lauder, who was well known to document these wonderful Ozarks on film.

08/07/2026

Rest in peace to an Ozarks legend, Violet Hensley. 📷: Silver Dollar City

08/01/2026

Film negative images of Charlie Daniels, performing in Branson. Year unknown.

07/29/2026

A vintage color slide image from the early days of Silver Dollar City. Live street productions like this robbery gone wrong were common during the time.

07/28/2026

A Sho-Me Baseball Camp booklet. The camp was originally founded in 1958 by Ernie Nevel and Goldie Howard.

07/25/2026

A letter from Jim Owen to Steve Miller in regards to what would become Owen’s Hillbilly Humor book. The second picture is the artwork Miller created for the cover. The book was published the following year.

07/25/2026

A full mockup for Jim Owen’s Fishing Service, by Steve Miller.