Ozarks

Lake Wappapello is named for a small Wayne County railroad town named Wappapello, reportedly after a friendly Shawnee chief who hunted the area during early pioneer times. Today, Lake Wappapello State Park offers a relaxing hideaway.

Put on your finest suit of armor and head to Hartsville for the White Hart Renaissance Faire. This family-friendly festival series brings the Elizabethan Age to the Ozarks. Have a turkey leg, see the queen, and take part in some historic hijinks.

What could be better than taking the kids on a trip to the Ozarks? From roller coasters and shows to caves and aquariums—plus plenty of places to get an ice cream—the region offers much in the way of family-friendly fun and enrichment.

On this day the railroad was welcomed into Springfield, Missouri. This effectively removed the Ozarks as a barrier to Springfield's connection with the east.

Branson was incorporated on this date in 1912.

Parks and trails lace Missouri like cracks in cobblestone, places where you can escape from urban life and commune with nature among windswept glades and shady forests. Missouri’s wilderness beckons exploration.

Vance Randolph, an influential American folklorist and writer, renowned for his extensive documentation of the folklore, customs, and language of the Ozark Mountains region, was born on this date in 1892.

Missouri History Today December 29, 2013: New Book Rides Ozark History Resurgence

Missouri History Today August 25, 1885: Famed Writer With Ozark Legacy Marries In The Midwest

Ron Marr has been a columnist in Missouri Life for a really long time. His wit, insights, and commentary are sure to keep us grounded and laughing out loud. And we always want to find out what his dogs are up to. Here is a look back at what Ron had to say in 2013.