Mutton Hollow and Branson USA Amusement Park
The Cushman family opened Mutton Hollow Craft and Entertainment Village in 1970. In the 1980s Mark Trimble of Shepherd of the Hills encouraged Norman Wright, the youngest son of novelist Harold Bell
Wright, to establish a museum in honor of his father. Norman chose Mutton Hollow as the site for the museum, which opened in 1984. Harold Wright's handwritten manuscript of The Shepherd of the Hills, movie memorabilia, several of his paintings, and furnishings from his study were on display. Norman also wrote the museum's 30-minute movie recounting events from his father's autobiography, To My Sons. Because of the park's financial difficulties in the 1990s, the museum was relocated to Shepherd of the Hills Homestead in 1998.
By 1992 Mutton Hollow attractions included traditional carnival rides like the Ferris wheel, carousel, Tilt-A-Whirl, and roller coasters. The park also offered pony rides and carriage rides. Visitors could choose between a breakfast show featuring impersonator Larry Musgrave or a lunch show featuring the Platters. For years the park did not charge a general admission price, but when the music shows were added in 1992, the park instituted an admission fee. Four years later, though, in 1996, the park reverted to free admission. As David Cushman explained, "People can make their own choices now. If they want to come in a stroll around, enjoy the flowers and shops, they can do it. Or they can opt for the shows and the rides. It's pay as you go, not pay one price" (qtd. in Buckstaff 3b).
In 1997 the Cushman family filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and later sold the park to Bob Wehr, retired owner of Aaron's Automotive Parts. Branson USA Amusement Park opened in May, 1999. Wehr has designed the park with families in mind. Attractions include specialty shops, food venues, an Italian Ferris wheel, a Belgian roller coaster, a miniature golf course, elevated go-cart tracks, a 700-seat theater, and a nightly laser show. Rather than charge a general admission fee, visitors may purchase tickets for individual rides or one-day passes. Wehr is optimistic about his new venture: "The people that are in the amusement business here do an excellent job and we don't want to hurt anyone. We just want to add to what is here and complement it. A lot of families like to go to the music shows, but they also need something for the kids to do" (qtd. in Marymont 4G).
Works Cited
Buckstaff, Kathryn. "Mutton Hollow growing younger." Springfield News-Leader 26 June 1996, p. 38.
Image of fiddle-playing raccoon from http://www.animationcity.com, July 1999.
Marymont, Mark. "Building on a dream." Springfield News-Leader 30 May 1999, p. 1G+.
