History

As you wind through our wooded entrance to Big Cedar, the ruggedness of this remote setting will surely inspire in you curiosity about the Native Americans and wild creatures who roamed these hills for centuries, living in harmony with the land. To see our history represented pictorially, please go to our
photo gallery, the "History" section or you may want to purchase online the 68 page book, written by Charlie Farmer, that chronicles and illustrates the history of this magnificent resort. Tucked deep in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, the area was accessible only by horseback or foot. Just after the turn of the twentieth century, railroads made their appearance, and this phenomenal retreat from the everyday world became a vacation paradise for travelers.

The 1920s found two prominent Missourians making plans to build lavish back country resort homes on land adjoining the Long Creek Arm of the White River known as Big Cedar Hollow. Together, business entrepreneur Jude Simmons and Frisco Railroad executive Harry Worman acquired a total of 300 lushly forested acres, and construction began.

Simmons chose a log mansion, reminiscent of the grand wilderness hunting lodges found in the Adirondacks region, while Worman constructed his retreat in the traditional Tudor style of stone and stucco. Native materials were used throughout both homes, leaving the hillsides more vulnerable to erosion.

As the Great Depression left the American economy in decline, travel became more difficult, and the two families were unable to spend time here. The property was later owned, for a short time, by a very consumptive logging firm before being purchased in 1947 by Dan Norris, a real estate executive and hotel operator. His addition of a lodge, swimming pool and stable created the Devil's Pool Ranch guest resort.

In 1958, the White River was dammed to form Table Rock Lake, and the stage was set for the Ozarks' premier wilderness resort. Following Bass Pro Shops' acquisition of the property in 1987, founder John Morris chose to restore the Simmons and Worman buildings to their original prominence, initiating a rigorous commitment to renew the natural beauty of Big Cedar Hollow.

As you become a part of the Big Cedar family, the extravagant pages of our past will mingle with the more recent awareness of our environment to surround you in warm Ozark hospitality, lots of friendly smiles, and the attention to detail, that you will soon realize are a part of everyday life in our resort. Come settle in to the sheer enjoyment of the Ozark Mountain countryside wrapped around the shores of pristine Table Rock Lake.