SDCFans - The Unofficial Fan Site For Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City & Celebration City Discussion => SDC Memories/ Park History => Topic started by: Junior on March 01, 2011, 10:40:11 AM
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I just read a posting left by someone calling himself "Toby" on my Flickr site. "Toby" posted under the photo of the diving bell wharf concept art photo that he understands SDC will bring back the use of the name "Dugan" (As in Rube Dugan's Diving Bell fame) for a shop in the Riverfront area this coming 2011 season! Can anyone tell me about this? Zephon, Copper, or SteamFreak? What's up with that? I'm curious to find out if the info posted by "Toby" is correct, or if he is just guessing, speculating, whatever. Any info on this issue is appreciated! -JUNIOR
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Digging just a little more to find out about the above posting, I've discovered "Toby" is none other than our very own Copper. So Copper, can you give us some additional details on this "Dugan" shop? Thanks!
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Digging just a little bit further by looking at the official SDC Website...could this "Dugan" shop be the Riverfront Traders shop that is mentioned under the "specialty shop" category?
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hot dog hot dog hot dog!!!!!
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Junior, I cantr believe that you think anyone would "guess, speculate or whatever.!! LOL. You know this is a factual forum, OR was the Fictional??..
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Interesting...
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Just curious if anyone has heard more about this issue?!?!? I think I will have to pay a visit to the Riverfront area this season just to see the good ole Dugan name again. (Oh, by the way...if you look REAL hard at the front of the Lost River building, you will see a reminder of the old diving bell days...there is a sign that is on the wall that says "Dugan Salvage Yard," and it is left over from my time on park. The sign is very faded now, but was still there as of my last visit in mid-August, 2010.)
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^ I'll be sure to look for that on our next visit to LROTO. Love random memorabilia like that!
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I will be looking also, what else down in that area still has the Dugan name?. i want pics.!
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I think the side of the lost river building on the lakeside still has "white river warehouse" painted on it which is a leftover from the Dugan days, if I am remembering correctly. When they gutted the building in the winter of 1984 to build lost river, they did a pretty good job of removing most of the diving bell stuff. The rocks on the lakeside, the cave at water level, and rocks on the front of the building are leftovers. In the line for lost river you will see round wooden covers on what were children's crawling tunnels in the diving bell playground area, and at one point, the remants of the old diving bell wharf can be seen. Also, you walk through a little structure that looks like a mine shaft while standing in line, that's what is left of the diving bell exit tunnel. When you enter the building and are in the hallway area, that is the same hall used to go to diving bell capsules A and B. That tunnel has not changed at all over the years.
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Check out my Flickr site and you will see a photo of the new sign at a shop located along Lake Silver. The "Dugan Trading Company" should be open for business in a few weeks.
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So has the "Dugan Trading Company" opened yet on the Riverfront? Anyone notice it while walking along the lakefront this week?
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On Sunday I was there, and it had not yet opened. I am assuming it opened yesterday with the beginning of the WorldFest, if not, I think a few do not open until Bluegrass & BBQ on May 12. My guess is that it is only a change in name, and nothing more. I like the idea of the name, I feel that they could have incorporated something into the sign to harken images from those who remember the ride. Maybe the costumes of the workers will be Junior style!!!!Maybe they will revamp the iterior of the shop to appear as if you are inside the bell! Sorry for getting your hopes up.
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the way i red the "brochure". all the stores open on the 7th.. Yestrday. Maybe somebody that went cn verify tht for us. ;)
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I was on park today (April 9) for Worldfest. Looks like the shop will not open until May as mentioned in previous post.
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If things go as planned...the Dugan Trading Company should open tomorrow (Thursday, May 12th) and if you make it to SDC for the opening day of Bluegrass & BBQ, please take a photo of the opened shop and post it...and please give a description of the shop and what is offered there. Thanks!
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They had the outer part of the Dugan Trading Company open on Saturday (the main building was still closed). My friend bought a pretty dress and flower clip. She said the rest of it looked like the building always has: sea-type stuff, shells, pearls, etc.
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junior, I will try to do that sunday/monday when i am there.
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We went Sunday May 8, and the Dugan Trading Company was completely open. They were selling necklaces, bracelets, hair clips, hair ties, summer dresses and tops. Here are a few pictures we took.
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011186.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011186.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011177.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011177.jpg)
(http://[img width=800 height=535)
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011184.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011184.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011183.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011183.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011181.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011181.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
(http://[IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011180.jpg)[/img]
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011179.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011179.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011178.jpg[/img]](http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac45/tomncyndi/SDCMay82011178.jpg) (http://[img width=800 height=535)
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WOW! Thanks for the photos! I'm glad to see the shop is open. I have been curious about it since I heard what they were going to name it. I must admit, I am disappointed at the selection of merchandise. What is unique about selling dresses you could get at any mall? The other items appear to be costume jewelry and so on. Bummer for me, ya know..."not in Miss Mary's Time!" Oh well, times have changed, and the park must do what it has to do to earn a profit. Thanks again for the photos. I'll have to check out the shop in person next time I am at SDC. :)
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your right again junior, if you dont look at the background you could be at the branson landing, or the tanger mall.
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Oh, I dunno. I rather like the breezy, colorful dresses and all the beachy stuff. Fits in fairly well next to a "float trip river." It's the kind of stuff I would buy if I were going on a float trip. Yes, granted, it doesn't fit the 1880s theme, but if they're going to go out of theme, I'm more likely to shop there than at the White River Mercantile.
And don't get me started on that. I went in there for what I think was the first time ever, and color me highly unimpressed. It fools you with all the great rag dolls out in front, then you go in and BAM. It's like you've transported to Branson Landing.
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If you notice they are really pushing the hand crafted products in the latest Past Times that is posted on line. I think they are suffering in sales of merchandise. Years ago everyone was carrying bags out with them and now not so much. I don't care for the modern stuff but I do understand they have to make some money. It would be my guess with the White River Mercantile and the new Duggan shop that a lots of women opt to sit out the Lost River......
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Think about it...a theme park is really a shopping center/mall with some shows and rides. Interest in "historical" attractions in Branson started to wane in the mid-1980's. By the late 80's, early 90's, they started adding the rollercoaters, they then put in the Grand Exposition and later the Giant Swing. It's all in an effort to attract younger crowds and to keep the park busy. SDC opened at a time when Westerns were big on TV in the 1960s. In its early days, SDC had more of a western theme, but by the late 60s, the theme was tweaked to "ozark mountain village" and throughout the 60s through the mid to late 80s, there were arts and crafts shops all over the place. They sold alot of stuff too. I think at one time there were about 3 dozen arts and crafts shops. Times have changed, so they have loosened up on the theme (TV in the furniture shop) the arts and crafts have been cut back a great extent. (part of the ice cream parlor used to be an applehead doll shop...Dugan's used to be a duck decoy carving shop...Donnie Ellison has retired so you will notice no basketweaving at the park this year, and so on.) However, the park is still very well done, and much of the flavor of the old days remains. Although you have seen my opinions on "Not in Miss Mary's Time" and in other threads about how change has occurred at the park, I still believe that anyone who takes their family to SDC will have a great day and will enjoy themselves. The merchandise in the shop has changed to a large extent, as has the type of entertainment offered, and the rides. Go to SDC and have a great day! :)
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well put junior, and well explained.
I also think that they have priced themselves out of the handmade market.. anything truly made on site seems expensive, the wood carvings, knives by johnson. and when i am shopping i always check for the "made in XXXXX".. Because if i am buying at the city, i prefer it to be made on site, BUT there is so little of it any more... A real shame! ""not in miss mary's day""
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Because if i am buying at the city, i prefer it to be made on site, BUT there is so little of it any more... A real shame! ""not in miss mary's day""
Im with you on that note, they really dont make that much there anymore.
I wish they would make the entire candy kitchen viewable by the crowds, that would be fun.
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We would probably have to ask Beta Mike, but I think the majority of the Brown's Candy Factory cooking and prep area is actually in the basement. I've never been down there, but my old pal from college, Chip Homer, told me she worked in the basement all summer long in 1984...and they STILL made her wear those long dresses the women wear in the themed areas of the park! :D Chip and I both studied radio in college, and she helped me get my first paying broadcasting gig at a country music station in Dexter, MO. KDEX/KDEX-FM. Those were the days! ;)
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Well thats what I mean if they expanded on the ground floor and you could see them dipping the candy s and such I think that would be a great thing to watch. Kinda Wonka like .
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thats a great idea mhguy! seems like there is always people watching them upstairs making candies...
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while I too was looking forward to more "diving bell"-esq****SP?**** items, the items arent too tacky and if I had to compromise, its a pretty good deal.....just a little disheartening****SP??*****
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Well,we all know that those lights and that merchandise are out of theme. You wouldn't have seen that 30 years ago. As Junior would say "NOT IN MISS MARY'S TIME!!!"
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I walked throught there over the weekend. very "retail" orientated :(
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I liked the shell shop that was there. Maybe ocean oriented merchandise isn't hot anymore.
The new shop is very mall like, nothing at all special, I did look at the sun dresses and the prices were 25.00. I was told that wasn't high...
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I'm glad the park gave a nod to it's past by naming the shop "Dugan's" but I do wish they at least would have put Ozarks related material or hand crafted items in the shop, at least some, anyway. However, they have to sell merchandise that will make money for them, so I suppose that is why they moved in the direction they did. Good luck to them, I say. :)
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I liked the shell shop that was there. Maybe ocean oriented merchandise isn't hot anymore.
It is interesting you mention that because I always felt the shop was too ocean oriented when it could have focused more on lakes, and rivers, and riverboats.
Either way, I am not sure where Silver Dollar City is going with their new "outlet mall" section there. I mean after all, how many people really go to Silver Dollar City to purchase a generic summer dress?
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I mean after all, how many people really go to Silver Dollar City to purchase a generic summer dress?
I agree that the shop could have been more inland water oriented.. Maybe they have decided that they can sell those dresses to post wet water riders. They may be on to something.
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I liked the shell shop that was there. Maybe ocean oriented merchandise isn't hot anymore.
The new shop is very mall like, nothing at all special, I did look at the sun dresses and the prices were 25.00. I was told that wasn't high...
MH? do we want to know why u were looking at sun dresses?? LOL!!??
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Maybe they have decided that they can sell those dresses to post wet water riders. They may be on to something.
Now there is an idea! ;D
And come on sanddunerider everyone knows only a real man, who is comfortable with his masculinity looks at sun dresses. 8) Although granted most guys just peek a look long enough to not run into a rack full of them hanging in the middle of the our path! :o
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LOL
You gotta check the prices they are asking when investigating a new offering.
They didnt have my size either just as I suspected....... :P ::) :o ;D
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Why do I have to be such a visual person.
The image of a man in a sundress is way too scary for words
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Well, unless he shaves his legs...uh, maybe, anyway! (LOL) :D
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Well this is the Ozarks, and there have been creatures named Ada Mae that used to run around wild in these parts. ;)
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Ok! OK!, (sorry ladies)... Guys, I undertsand the long look at a sundress covering a fresh shaven set of legs........................ ;) ;) ;) ;)
LOL really I am... LOL!!
"nuf sed!
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Here is a brief DUGAN UPDATE for any that are interested:
I contacted via mail several former Junior Dugans that I'd worked with all those years ago just prior to the May, 2010 50th Anniversary celebration, urging them to visit the park on the anniversary weekend when former employees were invited back for a reunion.
In reviewing photos posted of the reunion, I did notice one Junior, Tony Wagner, appeared to have been at the reunion. One Ruby Dugan, Vivian, whose last name I don't recall, also appeared in some photos. It appears Tony may have moved in 2010 or 2011 from his hometown of Nevada, MO to Fort Scott, Kansas, from stuff I could find on the Internet.
I posted some things about diving bell ride designer Gerald Koogler here, and got a reply from his son, Deleslie, who also was a Junior. "Doc" (Deleslie) said his father was retired now and doing fine. Further attempts to have Deleslie respond have failed.
I contacted diving bell maintenance man, Kevin McPhail earlier this year, but he failed to respond. However, I know he lives in Ste. Genevive, MO and operates his own leatherworking shop.
I heard back from Rick Madison, a former Junior, last year about anniversary time. He sent me a brief email but failed to contact me again when I sent him another email.
I know former Juniors Randy Stowe, Bill "Moose" Hensley, Terry Sanders, Russ Maulden and former maintenance man Kerry Chester all still work at SDC and have enjoyed long careers with the park in various management and support and performance roles. Also, former Junior Bob Nichols is still active in the Branson entertainment scene. He has an interview show on the Branson Vacation Channel.
If you know of anyone connected to the diving bell, please contact them and have them post an update with us. I believe some of the former Juniors are visitors to this site, but "lurk" in the background, checking the forums, but not ever posting. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Please give an update as to who you are, where you are at, and what you are up to. Also, any old diving bell or SDC stories are more than welcome here.
;D ;D ;DHOpe to hear from some of you diving bell family members soon! ;D ;D ;D
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One other update: former Junior Nick Franke lives in the St. Louis area. I was lucky enough to enjoy sending and recieving several emails to him last year, we were able to fully catch up with each other. He is an attorney and partner in a law firm.
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I have to agree about the merchandise. I do NOT mind spending more for american made hand crafts! As I personally know American's can not work for a penny a hour like they pay in India, China, etc, and it cost more money for fewer amounts of materials and what not then when you are mass producing in big ole factories. Being a crafter myself I know materials and time alone add up fast, and I don't mind paying the price for that.
Back in the day my mom and I never left the park with out a bag of merchandise, weather it be a hand made basket, a hand made quilt, some new pattern from Ye Ol' Stitchin' Post, once we even actually spent quite a bit in that shop as my mom bought a hand made wooden thing to hold cross stitch patterns. I was going to buy a hand made wooden dresser thing to store thread in, but the shop was gone the next year. We always bought lots of the hand made stuff, candles, blown glass etc. I still don't like using the plastic mugs, I still use my glass mugs with our initials hand etched in them.
Lately though we barely leave with anything. I sometimes buy a rag doll for a child or what not but that's about it. And it seems to me even the amount of options they have for them has gone down. (they used to sell rag angels and other types of rag dolls as well). And I have bought some pie plates from the clay shop (sorry can't think of it's true name).
But, nope, I won't be buying mass produced junk I can get any where.
I do wish the "clothing" shops would sell some era stuff. Like the hats, hat pins and such that they used to sell in the past (my mom and I used to always buy a new hat and hat pin when they used to sell them on the park!) and even some of the dresses. There's still a ton of people who like to dress vintage! Oh I forgot, I do almost always buy my girls and I a new bonnet every year from the General store, so see I think this kind of things would still sell. Personally like I said I won't be buying the junk I can get at the mall.......that's just me though, I don't for for what I can get at the mall...as I'm not even a mall shopper!