Lake of the Ozarks History The Lake Area has a rich history that stems back long before the Bagnell Dam created Lake of the Ozarks.  The original inhabitants, the Osage Indians, made the river valley along the Osage River their home.  They used the river for travel and the area was rich with game.  Settlers eventually arrived in the late 1600’s seeking furs to trade.  The mark of these early explores is indelibly left on the region.  The most prolific example is the name Ozark.  It comes from the English pronunciation of Aux Arcs, which was the French fur trader’s description of local area geography.  Eventually the area was settled by those moving west.  Life in the region was not leisurely by any stretch, but a certain few scratched out a living off of the land and made the area their home.  These early settlers were a tough strong minded group, which were tenacious and believed in independence and self-reliance.  Many of the same families that were the first settlers still remain in the area.  Their ideals are still alive in the area through the independent sprit, and entrepreneurial drive in the Lake Area.  The completion of the Bagnell Dam in 1931, by Union Electric forever changed the local area and way of life.  Families that were farmers were now left with no land to farm as it had been covered by water, and what remained were the rocky cliffs and hillsides that now line the lake.  The region was underappreciated for its beauty and recreational possibilities.  During the following two decades local entrepreneurs began offering activities and attractions in the area to draw vacationers from larger cities such as St. Louis and Kansas City.  The natural beauty of the area, combined with recreational activities, and its close proximity made the Lake Area a vacation destination for many families.  Over the last 60 plus years that the Lake Area has been a vacation destination much has changed.  Once a summertime only destination with small mom and pop operations dotting small one lane roads; the Lake Area has evolved into a year round destination with world class accommodations, resorts, restaurants, business and many other attractions. Even with all of the growth the Lake Area really hasn’t changed as much as it has evolved to meet the desires and expectations of present and future generations of vacationers and residents.

Lake of the Ozarks Attractions

	Main Street Music Hall 1048 Main Street Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573-348-9500 Visit Website	NAME * EMAIL * TELEPHONE INTEREST Vacation Rental Property Management Other COMMENTS Your privacy is paramount. We do not sell or provide your information to anyone
	Bagnell Dam River Park Business 54 Lake Ozark, MO, 65049 Phone: 573-692-2081 Visit Website
	Big Surf Waterpark 954 State Road Y Linn Creek , MO, 65052 Phone: 573 346-6111 Visit Website	Osage Beach Premium Outlets 4540 Osage Beach Parkway Osage Beach, MO 65065 (573) 348-2065
Bridal Cave/Thunder Mountain Park 526 Bridal Cave Road Camdenton, MO, 65020 Phone: 573-346-2676		Casa de Loco Winery 442 Riverbird Ln Camdenton, MO, 65020 Phone: 573-317-9695
Celebration Cruises 1092 Lakeshore Drive (off Osage Beach Road) Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573-480-3212		Circle R Stables Hwy KK in Tan-Tar-A Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573-348-8624
Eagle Lanes 914 Hwy 42 Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573 302-7170		Firstmate Yacht Services P. O. Box 1356 Lake Ozark, MO, 65049 Phone: 800-570-2089 / 573-216-2050
Ha Ha Tonka State Park 1491 State Road D Camdenton, MO, 65020 Phone: 573-346-2986		Jacob's Cave LLC 23114 HWY TT Versailles, MO, 65084 Phone: 573 378-4374
JN Outdoors
Lake Ozark Helicopters Inc 1075 Bagnell Dam Blvd Lake Ozark, MO, 65049 Phone: (573)302-0022		Lazer Force 5473 Hwy 54 Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573-348-2222
Miner Mike's and Busters Adventure Town 4515 Hwy 54 Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573 348-2126		National Shrine of Mary PO Box 1250 Laurie, MO, 65038 Phone: 573-374-6279
Orion Science Center 1163 S State Hwy 5 Camdenton, MO, 65020 Phone: 573 346-5516		Pistols Plus Shooting Range 3515 Hwy 54 Osage Beach, MO, 65065 Phone: 573 348-5356
Seven Springs Winery and Restaurant 846 Winery Hills Estate Linn Creek, MO, 65020 Phone: 573-317-0100		The Historic Bagnell Dam Strip Bagnell Dam Strip Lake Ozark, MO, 65049
Tom Sawyer Cruises 1006 Bagnell Dam Blvd. Lake Ozark, MO, 65049 Phone: 573-365-3300/888-366-7759		Willmore Lodge 1 Willmore Lane Lake Ozark, MO, 65049 Phone: 573-964-1008