Please help me identify this place...

[HelpMeFind]

This may be asking a lot but I am trying to find the spot where my family vacationed as a child. I know that it was near Branson and Silver Dollar City because we always visited both. We always stayed in a cabin. I was born in '62 so we are talking about 1964-69 or so. Yes, I know that was a long time ago. The place that I am looking for had one very specific feature. There was a sort-of escalator that you got into and it took you down, what I remember to be, a very big hill. You just threw a lever and down, or up, you went. There was a covered boat dock at the bottom and a little cement wading pool. Can someone please help me to identify this campsite? I live in Texas now but I would love to bring my own children and grandchildren there. Thank you so much for any help.

[LadyDrifter]

I am sorry that I can't help you. I hope someone will come along that can though. Good luck on your search!

[HelpMeFind]

Thanks, Lady Drifter. I'm really hoping that someone else also visited in the 60's and remembers that escalator as well as I do. We had a ball on it. Surely there can't be very many of those in the area. Thanks again, Lea

[Mellie]

I'm hoping someone identifies it, as well. I would love to see it...if it's still there.

[Tams]

Have you thought about calling the Chamber of Commerce and they might can put you in touch with someone who knows the history of the area....

[HelpMeFind]

Originally Posted by Tams

Have you thought about calling the Chamber of Commerce and they might can put you in touch with someone who knows the history of the area....

Actually, no, I hadn't thought of that. What a great idea. I'm going to try that. Still hoping someone else remembers the place. Thanks, Lea

[Grizzly]

Did you ride in a car of sorts while on this escalator? There are several very old rail type people movers along Taneycomo. I do not think any of them are still in operation, but in the winter when the growth is dead, they are visible. I think there is one coming down the slope at College of the Ozarks. There were resorts out along there in the sixties i think.

As I remember you could load up the rods and bait and a couple people and ride it down like a coal car.


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[HelpMeFind]

Grizzly, that's just what it looked like. It was kinda a small (maybe 4X4) metal cage on a rail. It might have held 4 people at most. I've emailed my twin sister to see if she remembers anything further but, being the same age, I don't hold out much hope of her being helpful. The place that you mentioned....is it still open? Thanks, Lea

[HelpMeFind]

I heard from my twin. She thinks that the name of the place was Bagnell Dam. Does that help? Thanks

[Darbecca]

If it was Bagnell Dam - that's at Lake of the Ozarks and not in Branson.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by HelpMeFind

I heard from my twin. She thinks that the name of the place was Bagnell Dam. Does that help? Thanks

OK, If it is Lake of the Ozarks, I do remember a place there with a contraption to take you up and down. Not sure but the name Art Luck's (or Lux's) Cabins comes to mind and as far as I know they are no longer there.

Good Luck

[Darbecca]

Grizzly - I have a booklet from the late 50's or early 60's put out by the Lake of the Ozarks Association and I found a listing for Art Luck's Resort. It was on the lake at the junction of Linn Creek, Osage and Niangua and was celebrating its 29th year. It says it is "famous for good fishing" and offers "complete fishing service, modern cottages fully equipped for housekeeping, some air-conditioned, boat launching facilities, good swimming beach, bait, motors, boat, beer, and groceries."

HelpMeFind - I'll check the other listings in this booklet to see if any of them match the description you gave with the little cement pond and the escalator-thing.

[shis1]

We have property on the Lake of the Ozarks, and as we ride along the Lake sightseeing, I see many of those rails that take people from the high bluffs down to the water. Don't know if they are still in working condition or not, as some of them look quite antiquated (!), but most of the ones I see are on private property. I can very easily think that you may have 'ridden' one of these contraptions back in your youth!

[HelpMeFind]

I appreciate SO much everyone trying so hard to help. It is incredibly sad to think that the place may actually not even be there anymore! So many memories...

[Darbecca]

HelpMeFind - I found two places that listed cement wading pools but neither of them said anything about the escalator thing. In fact most of the listings in the booklet emphasized the level grounds of their resorts.

It's interesting reading what was important to advertise in 1960 - one said they had indoor bathrooms, many offerred air conditioning as an option, frigidaires were mentioned frequently and my favorite was the resort that stressed its family atmosphere by reassuring the reader there would be "no drunks".

Many of the rates were $6 a day for two people with free use of an aluminum fishing boat for the week.