Anyone who visited Branson in the 80's should have been familiar with the former town of Lakeview (currently West Branson) answer to Shepherd of the Hills-The Lost Silver Mine Drama. This is a play based on the book Traces of Silver by Artie Ayres (published 1982). I believe that it originated in 1983, and on the Grand Opening there was a tribute to the first white man to settle in Stone County, James Yoachum. The news read:
"All Yocum descendants are to be honored guests at the Grand Opening of the Lost Silver Mine Outdoor Drama June 10-11, 1983. This is a historic re-enactment about the Yoachums, the first white men who came into Ozark Mountain Country. These courageous pioneers came here about 1800 and carved a place to live in the wilderness and a place in the pages of history forever. The Yocum Silver Mine Story, to be seen played out under the stars, is a dramatization of the book, "Traces of Silver," a history of the early 1800's in Ozark Mountain Country."
225 in total descendants attended in 1983, and 150 in 1984. There are 81 known different spellings of Yocum, Yoakum, Yocam, Yokem, Yochuj, Yokum, Yoachum, etc.
Do we have any memories from others on this place, or any descendants of the Yocum clan in our midst?-I'll post some photos shortly of the place!
Rube, you and I must be on the same wavelength. (scary) I was looking over my copy of "Traces of Silver" just this morning. For many SDC entertainers, Lost Silver Mine Drama was a chance to act at night. There were only so many slots open at Shepherd of the Hills play. In the 1983 season Bill Townsend, Tony Wagner, and Hap Prater, all Juniors at the diving bell, took part in the play. Glen Braden, who now plays old matt and wash gibbs at Shepherd of the hills, got his start playing the role of James Yocum in the play. I hung out a little with Glen, too. Judy Domeny, who was a singer and musician at SDC in the early 80's, also was in the play at LSM as the balladeer. L. Dawn Larsen, whose father was my drama teacher at Branson High School, was an actress in the play, and was the artistic coordinator and choreographer, too. Dawn Larsen also was involved with the Toby Show with Shad Heller. For me, going to the play in 1983, was like hanging out with many of my SDC friends. At least two of the Dugan boys were in the Lost Silver Mine play in 84. In '84, somebody staged "Love's Greatest Story" a passion play in Branson, and both Tony Wagner and Hap Prater jumped over to play roles there. The current WAL MART SUPER CENTER location in BRANSON WEST is the old Lost Silver Mine Drama location. From what I understand, the log cabin used as the set for the play is rotting away in the wooded area behind the Wal-Mart Store. Scans of the Lost Silver Mine brochure from 83, as well as a $1 off coupon for tickets to the play, and the cover of the drama cast list, is on my Flickr site:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
I believe the amphitheater is still located back there. Look carefully while before the trees leaf out, and you'll be able to see it from the road.
If you close your eyes reeeeaaaal tight you might be able to imagine it back there......wait no open them because you won't see the photos if your eyes are closed silly... :D Enjoy these from this weekend.
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos158-1.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos162.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos209.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos201-1.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos185-1.jpg)
(http://i649.photobucket.com/albums/uu218/rubedugans/photos182-1.jpg)
I wanted to capture the place another time in case it was no longer there next time. The place is in pretty bad shape. Most of this is attributed to the outdoor nature of the site. Steps are basically non existant to the seating area (all have rotted) the benches in many areas are rotten through, and the cabin is as you saw, basically gone as well. Bathrooms and fixtures are guted and vandalized, and boxes of rotting seat cushions are collecting mold, and water like the sponges that they are! Signs are all damaged, and if you did not know what the place was, you would be hard pressed to figure out its usage! I will have more posts of it on Flickr tomorrow.
I drove past this last week and almost stopped... I should have.
Wow talk about finding a diamond in the rough! Unfortunately, I was not old enough, or perhaps not even born in time to appreciate this historic attraction. Oh the stories that could be told if only those steps, and structures could talk. I love how the seating area was built around the existing trees.
Is it just me, or does the Branson area just have an incredible knack for outdoor theaters which is unmatched by anywhere else?
Thanks for sharing a piece of Branson heritage! :)
Visiting Branson every year since 1981, I had always loved going through Lakeview (Branson West) seeing the mine signs, and eventually the theater. Then later in life hearing the stories of the Yochum (however you want to spell it) mine just brings in the idea of the treasure hunt that all kids like to think about. Whether it exists or not, we might never know, some say it is well under the waters of , what is now Table Rock Lake, others say it never existed and the coins were made from other silver that had been mined elsewhere(federal silver given to the Deleware Tribes). Riches in the land is definately plausible (and I am not speaking of Jed Clampetts Black Gold). Geological surveys have yielded the possibility of silver in the hills. But the search will go on, much like it has since DeSoto came across Branson in the 1500's in search of the very same thing!
Thinking about it, I remember the Lost Silver Mine logo. I was pretty young at the time (about five when it opened), so I don't seem to recall anything else. How long was it there?
I cannot find a "closed date" in any publications...seems by the looks of the place about 15-20 years I would guess early-mid 90's. Just a guess.. ??? I have been in many empty and abandoned places, and it appears to have the same overgrowth/decayas some outdoor locations like Dogpatch and a few others abandoned mid 90's.
Thanks for the pictures. I was surprised the log cabin on the "set" had fallen apart like it has. I figured it would still be fairly solid. The theater itself was in much better shape than I figured it would be in. The play itself I saw maybe twice, and it was pretty good. I might be slanted in my opinion because so many people I knew worked there. I don't know how long the play lasted, but if it made it past three to five seasons, I would be surprised. The BRANSON WEST you see today is much larger than the LAKEVIEW that was there in the early 80's. Lakeview in my days was a place you passed through on your way to Branson on west to Kimberling City. That was about it. The McDonald's there in the early 80's was the world's only log cabin McDonalds. I don't know why they tore it down and replaced it with the cookie cutter McDonald's that is there now. By the way, Artie Ayres was mayor of Branson West in the 90's, and it was under his direction the town's name was changed to Branson West. I thought then, and still do today, that they were doing nothing but trying to steal some of the thunder from Branson by changing the name. If you get on the Branson West City Website, you will find an interesting history time line of the town, with some pictures going back to the 50's, 60's and 70's. It is interesting to see how the little crossroads community has grown over the years. Also some Lost Silver Mine shots on that city website.
Yeah. I double checked. Go to your search engine and type in "City of Branson West, Missouri" and the city Website will pop right up. Then go to the heading "History of Branson West" and you will get a nice rundown on the community with some great shots of the area that is the intersection of Hwy 76 and Hwy 13. Several shots of the Lost Silver Mine Play, too. There is a photo of the log cabin from the old days when it was up and in good shape. The photos of the play mention Radford Massey and Glen Braden, two former SDC folks. Radford was a popular entertainer back then. Glen Braden has moved over to Shepherd of the Hills Homestead where he plays old matt and wash gibbs.
so are the remains of this place still behind the walmart? im confused on where those pics came from
Yes, the remains are behind the Wal-Mart at Branson West, MO.
is a person still able to get back there do you know?
According to what RUBEDUGANS posted under the pictures above...he took the photos this past weekend.
oh awesome! thanx so much
If you are planning on visiting the site. Know this First. It is privately owned at this time, and construction is taking place where the old lot used to be. I took nothing but pictures, and left nothing but footprints. I recorded a place that has been abandoned and for many lost to history. My goal, like many of ours on this site was to help someone remember a place from our past, and preserve those memories, and share them. There were plenty of remnants that could be removed, and many unfortunately have been over the course of the years,By this time it is mostly bare- but I would hope that no one on here would enter and attmpt to destroy the place. I am not the first to go there, I will not be the last. I know by the evidence there, many have been in with malintent. If by your own decision you decide to go, Please don't be one of the latter. I will get off my soapbox now.
im only going for more pictures and to just check it out. i always saw the silver mine signs in branson west when i was a kid but never knew what it was. now im interested!
Then have a blast orient!!!!!! ;D I wish I had more time that I could have spent there. With the storm blowing in I had about 5 -7 minutes of rainless photography. I still took nearly 100 photos there. With hail and sleet blowing in not even 5 minutes after I was back in the car, that was cutting in pretty close!
I honestly don't remember this one. We missed going in 1984 (I was off at ROTC camp all summer, plus my dad had a serious medical issue), but I'm pretty sure we went in '85. Then I graduated and went off to play Army in Germany for three years, and didn't make it back until '98.
Artie Ayres, the guy that owned the place, really did hunt for years for the treasure. He found his treasure in buying the land and developing it. I think he owned "Silver Square" across the road from the theater location, too. Probably other real estate in the immediate area. I think he was living a comfortable life by the mid-late 80s. When he sold the land to Wal Mart, well, my guess is he didn't have to worry where dinner was coming from after that. My copy of "Traces of Silver" was autographed by him. He was very nice to me when I met him at the play in 83. The SDC citizens working for him were always young and enthusiastic about being involved in the play. Ayres later became mayor of Lakeview (Branson West) but I don't know what he's doing now. He might be dead. Anybody know?
I did a search and came up with nothing but a site mentioning him dedicated to how corrupt business has made its way into Branson West. It seemed like an exremist site that was attempting to target one or two key people. I don't know if he is still around, but the site sounded that way.
There were some...back in the old days...who thought Ayers was a bit of fast talker. A con-artist. I never saw it, personally. He seemed like a nice, older guy. Pleasant to be around. However, I never had any business deals with him. He was serious about the ole treasure hunt. Most locals thought him a little nuts about that.
Apparently his father in the 1920's found a coin under floorboards while renovating a cabin=sparking his, and his sons interest, and silver fever.
Yeah, I remember that story. He told it in interviews, and I think it's in the book, too.
Quote from: rubedugans on March 23, 2010, 02:23:52 PM
I cannot find a "closed date" in any publications...seems by the looks of the place about 15-20 years I would guess early-mid 90's. Just a guess.. ??? I have been in many empty and abandoned places, and it appears to have the same overgrowth/decayas some outdoor locations like Dogpatch and a few others abandoned mid 90's.
Oh well. No worries. It had to have been open for a substantial amount of years, as I recall seeing the logo somewhere in that area quite often when I was a kid.
In one of the little booklets picked up in the Branson area in the last five years, there is a short paragraph saying that in the 1990's some gift shop in downtown Branson was selling what they billed as reproduction Yoakum Dollars made from the ORIGINAL ANTIQUE COIN PRESS the Yoakum's used. Anybody know anything about this? I would love to get my hands on something like that. I did ask about this in the last two or three years at one of the gift shops in the downtown area that has been there for decades, but the guy I asked knew nothing about it, and looked at me like I was nutty.
^It wasn't you - that guy looks at everybody like that.
(I don't know who you're talking about, but that fits the description of several of the guys walking around down there.)
There's a bench in front of the office at Compton Ridge Campground that still has an ad for this painted on it. I meant to get a picture all week, but never had my camera any time I went up there. I've probably got a pic of it somewhere from one of our other trips, I'll try to find it. Does anyone know if any of this is left, or did the Hwy 13 bypass take it all out?
When I drove by last year, there was still part of an old cabin that could be seen from the road.
You may want to wander down to the wooded area behind Branson West Wal-Mart and take a look around. I thought RUBE had mentioned some time ago that the property was being redeveloped. When I last passed through the area a month and a half ago everything looked like it always has to me, but I didn't take an up close look at things. Remember, it's private property so don't go places you are not supposed to, and if you do, be careful around old structures that have not been properly maintained for decades. Don't get hurt, and don't get thrown in jail!
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u36/larson_6/IMG00111-20110808-1244.jpg)
Nice bench...where was that located?
Maybe this should be a "Where in Branson" pic. ;D It's in front of the office at Compton Ridge. I already mentioned it
here (http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=683.msg29667#msg29667) or I would have pm'd you to see if you wanted to use it.
Thelarsonsix: How recent is the photo of the bench? If that is still in commission today it's in pretty good shape!
However the last weekend was in March 2010! I am unsure if it still accessible. I was going to go back there in July...but just plumb ran out of time!
Quote from: Junior on August 24, 2011, 03:11:11 PM
Thelarsonsix: How recent is the photo of the bench? If that is still in commission today it's in pretty good shape!
Junior,
I took that about two weeks ago. It's very much still in commission! I've seen that a thousand times on all our trips there and never realized what it was until I read about it on this forum. I've got pictures of my teenagers sitting on it before they were in kindergarten. That bench sits outside in front of the office. It's probably been there 20 years or more. I've personally seen it there in the same spot for the last 12. Don't know what kind of paint they used on it, but like you said it's sure holding up well!
hey larson i know for a fact that bench has been there since the 80's i can remember sitting there with my grandpa early morning having coffee. Wow thanks for sharing.
That bench apparently has been tucked under the porch there all these years! WOW. Here is something for all of you to look out for: the old style brochure racks that have the picture of Old Matt's Cabin on it, with the words "Complements of The Shepherd of the Hills Farm." I guess SDC has a brochure service that distributes whole racks and updates the brochures several times per year. Here in NW Arkansas you find the modern racks at Wendy's locations and at the Harps food stores.
If that went up for auction.....(I am picturing antiques roadshow branson edition!) I'd buy!!!
Quote from: rubedugans on August 24, 2011, 08:54:56 PMIf that went up for auction.....(I am picturing antiques roadshow branson edition!) I'd buy!!!
You'd have to beat me too it first! ;D
I'm just teasing. However, I am still convinced you should open a museum with all of your artifacts.
Rube: I still remember your plans to do a book featuring all the stuff you have. I still want to be #1 on the list to buy a copy. Keep working on that project!
i will be second in line.
I believe finders get first dibbs don't they? :D
Junior believe me...you'll be first to know! I still owe you from my box-o-goodies! I have not touched it in a few months, however I was thinking about it today, along with a few other projects on pause! I just need about 3 months straight of no other duties, and I'd get a huge amount done! My summer this year was leess than 2 months, after family trips, school training, camps etc, I had my 3 weeks of summer, and that was dedicated to plenty on the honey-do list. I am going to need to prioritize my life soon though to get these things going again. I still have some legality issues to look into...but that is easy compared to the collecting, and organizing which is done, the rough draft is complete...I just need to finalize it all!
I would buy one probably two
Put me on that list!
And dont forget a copy for the coffee table at the +2000 club ;)
Thanks for the pep talk everyone, This is just what I needed to step up and get some work finished!
I was talking about the bench. ;D But I'd love to have the book too!
I still have one copy left of my "Dugan Daze" book that I guess I will have to donate to the 2000 Plus Posts Clubhouse!
I was not only at the reunion you described, but I am also a Yocum descendant, albiet not the family of Yocums traditionally associated with the legend -- my Yocums came from Pennsylvania and settled in Illinois and Iowa, and remained there until my grandparents bought a motor court near Roaring River State Park in the early 1970s.
I have a copy of the Ayers book that my mother purchased at the reunion, and I vaguely remember playing on a Medicine Show wagon that was part of the act.
For the "rest of the story", the noted Ozarks historian Lynn Morrow wrote a detailed article about the Yocum Silver Mine legend for the Missouri Historical Review back in the 1980s. I used it as one of my sources for a paper on the Yocums I wrote for my Ozarks Geography course I took in the early 1990s with Dr. Milton Rafferty at Southwest Missouri State. Rafferty references Morrow's findings in his book, The Ozarks: Land and Life, which I believe is still in print from the University of Arkansas Press.
Regards,
Todd
Quote from: Junior on March 25, 2010, 07:02:26 PM
In one of the little booklets picked up in the Branson area in the last five years, there is a short paragraph saying that in the 1990's some gift shop in downtown Branson was selling what they billed as reproduction Yoakum Dollars made from the ORIGINAL ANTIQUE COIN PRESS the Yoakum's used. Anybody know anything about this? I would love to get my hands on something like that. I did ask about this in the last two or three years at one of the gift shops in the downtown area that has been there for decades, but the guy I asked knew nothing about it, and looked at me like I was nutty.
The Local History Department of the Springfield-Greene County Library Center has some information about a few of the claims of individuals to have found either bona fide Yocum silver dollars or the presses, but no one has ever confirmed that they are genuine. -- T.
Quote from: clancomyn on October 03, 2011, 01:47:14 PM
I was not only at the reunion you described, but I am also a Yocum descendant, albiet not the family of Yocums traditionally associated with the legend -- my Yocums came from Pennsylvania and settled in Illinois and Iowa, and remained there until my grandparents bought a motor court near Roaring River State Park in the early 1970s.
I have a copy of the Ayers book that my mother purchased at the reunion, and I vaguely remember playing on a Medicine Show wagon that was part of the act.
For the "rest of the story", the noted Ozarks historian Lynn Morrow wrote a detailed article about the Yocum Silver Mine legend for the Missouri Historical Review back in the 1980s. I used it as one of my sources for a paper on the Yocums I wrote for my Ozarks Geography course I took in the early 1990s with Dr. Milton Rafferty at Southwest Missouri State. Rafferty references Morrow's findings in his book, The Ozarks: Land and Life, which I believe is still in print from the University of Arkansas Press.
Regards,
Todd
It's great to have you on board here. You'll find a lot of us are very interested in general Ozark history in addition to SDC. Any information you provide will be greatly appreciated, consumed, discussed and most likely referenced in future posts. Please contribute generously, looks like you've got a lot to share. And welcome!
I have seen those same claims in the periodicals...who knows if they are accurate or not. I know there are many that have continued to search despite any hard evidence.
Quote from: thelarsonsix on October 03, 2011, 05:02:59 PM
Quote from: clancomyn on October 03, 2011, 01:47:14 PM
I was not only at the reunion you described, but I am also a Yocum descendant, albiet not the family of Yocums traditionally associated with the legend -- my Yocums came from Pennsylvania and settled in Illinois and Iowa, and remained there until my grandparents bought a motor court near Roaring River State Park in the early 1970s.
I have a copy of the Ayers book that my mother purchased at the reunion, and I vaguely remember playing on a Medicine Show wagon that was part of the act.
For the "rest of the story", the noted Ozarks historian Lynn Morrow wrote a detailed article about the Yocum Silver Mine legend for the Missouri Historical Review back in the 1980s. I used it as one of my sources for a paper on the Yocums I wrote for my Ozarks Geography course I took in the early 1990s with Dr. Milton Rafferty at Southwest Missouri State. Rafferty references Morrow's findings in his book, The Ozarks: Land and Life, which I believe is still in print from the University of Arkansas Press.
Regards,
Todd
It's great to have you on board here. You'll find a lot of us are very interested in general Ozark history in addition to SDC. Any information you provide will be greatly appreciated, consumed, discussed and most likely referenced in future posts. Please contribute generously, looks like you've got a lot to share. And welcome!
Many thanks for the welcome! I have taught Ozarks history and culture at OTC, and a friend of mine and I present programs on local ghost stories and superstitions. The Yocum dollar story has a connection to Breadtray Mountain near Lampe, which the Yocums may have used as a cover for their "operations".
Heck, we even had Baldknobber masks made up for our program. ;D
Todd
Quote from: rubedugans on October 03, 2011, 05:48:15 PM
I have seen those same claims in the periodicals...who knows if they are accurate or not. I know there are many that have continued to search despite any hard evidence.
I have Rafferty's book at my office; I know he discusses at least one claim in the text. It certainly would be something to find a bona fide Yocum dollar -- if nothing else, the search is more fun then the actual goal!
T.
Here's a nice summary of Morrow's research from a past issue of the White River Valley Historical Society's newsletter:
http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v8/n2/w83l.htm
And Morrow's article (or a version of it, anyway):
http://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/wrv/v8/n11/sp85d.htm
Note the SDC reference. ;D
T.
Thanks T. I love reading articles from the White River Valley periodicals. And yes, SDC in fact is the real silver mine!!!
Bringing back an old, old topic here. But I found a 1984 brochure of the Lost Silver Mine Drama which was located on the current grounds of the Walmart Supercenter at Branson West. Several SDC people took part in this drama as actors, singers, and so on back in the day, including at least two former diving bell guys I worked with. Glenn Braden, who plays Old Matt and Wash Gibbs at Shepherd of the Hills, had a lead role in this drama back in the day. Anyway, the brochure I dug up in my files is posted at my Flickr site, so take a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juniordugan
I have been looking for info on the lost sliver mine play. trying to locate some people, and i came across this. You see I use to be in that drama years ago. before Walmart was sitting there. It is good to see the pics and to know that it is still back there.
I performed with Glen back then. I played the young Jason, and Billy the traveling show boy, along with a bandit from time to time. I haven't seen glenn in years.
Hey, we love people who worked at some of these defunct attractions here at SDCFans! I'm one, in fact! So, why not tell us more about the play, Artie Ayers, and the rest of the crew who worked there, and what it was like. Anything you can tells us would be great. Go into detail, please. Also, if you have any old photos, and other things you could post here for us to see, please do so. Thanks! :)
It is heavily speculated the location of the mine is now under water, either Taneycomo or Table Rock.
^^Or a script?