WHY VISIT THE DEWEY SHORT VISITOR CENTER?
Each year, thousands visit this great area attraction.
Why? Lots of reasons.
The Dewey Short Visitor Center’s interior — floor, walls, and ceiling are eye-catching and the giant glass panels offer a great view of Table Rock Lake and Table Rock Dam. There are exhibits sure to fascinate all ages and create great memories and Park Rangers do a wonderful job offering interpretive programs and events. (see programs below). There is ample parking, and the surrounding grounds have sidewalks for a leisurely stroll, plus a long paved trail along the lake for the serious jogger or bicyclist.
All of this is free! Dewey Short Visitor Center is located just south of Table Rock Dam on State Highway 165 and is open daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (see link at bottom of this post).
The new Dewey Short Visitor’s Center opened in April of 2012 on Table Rock Lake. The old center was a joy to visit. The current (new) visitor center exceeds the fun and education offered by the old center.
Years ago, our first visit to the old visitor’s center hooked us on going there again and again. Over the years, we’d pop-in at the center, then stroll or picnic outside, hike the lakeshore trail.
(The old visitors center was located inside the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State Parks Dept. office complex across the parking lot from where the new center now stands).
An entertaining and fun attraction for us was what we referred to as “The Movie” inside a theater room. The new center offers the same film playing throughout the day in its theater room.
The well-made, 22-minute documentary. tells the story of how, when and why Table Rock Dam was constructed.
The film “Taming the White River” includes historic footage of the White River’s destructive past flooding that destroyed lives and property. It also tells the story of the massive pre-construction logistical efforts and engineering obstacles encountered building the dam that tamed the White River and created Table Rock Lake.
You will leave with an understanding of the project and dam’s multi-functional importance for flood control, hydroelectrical power and water, and recreation.
The old Visitor Center was attached to the office complex building across the parking lot from the new center. It wasn’t as prominent and visible from the road as the striking new center is today. We referred to Dewey Short Center as one of the area’s “hidden treasures.” As you will see when you visit, the grand new center is hard to miss from the highway and far from hidden.
Other reasons to visit included shaded walking paths, picnic tables on the lake and a tree covered hiking trail along the lakeshore. It made a great place to spend an afternoon with the kids. Since those days, the trails and walkways have undergone great improvements and expansions including paving.
The new Dewey Short Visitor’s Center is now referred to as the “Crown Jewel” of Table Rock Lake.
WHAT’S INSIDE DEWEY SHORT VISITOR CENTER?
The Visitor Center has three levels and offers hands-on exhibits including the aforementioned free movie shown throughout the day.
The surrounding grounds still feature walking paths and hiking trail, but with many improvements. The long hiking trail has been widened and paved. It is hiker, runner, and bicyclist friendly.
There are great views of Table Rock Lake and the Dam from inside the center and from the upper back deck.
EXHIBITS, GREAT LAKE/DAM LOOKOUT AND VIEW
Dewey Short Visitor Center things to see and ponder include an interactive map of Table Rock Lake, artistic wall murals, and a replica of the Ozarks Bluff complete with local flora and fauna. A portion of the floor includes a beautiful map of Table Rock Lake’s hundreds of miles of shoreline is inlaid on the center’s floor. Walking over it, you get a bird’s eye view of the lake’s snaking geography, depth, and height above sea level as well as other facts.
The center has a corner set aside as a little kid’s area (table, blocks etc.)
The interpretive center has a Native American artifact exhibit; an Ozark’s diorama; an interactive water safety exhibit; a cut-away model illustrating the inner workings of a hydroelectric dam; and an exhibit of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
There are exhibits of shoreline wildlife, such as the Red-Eared Slider Turtle; fish habitat of Table Rock Lake showing Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Spotted Bass.
(The popular bass fishing waters in Table Rock Lake are much warmer than the water flowing from the bottom of Table Rock Dam down into Lake Taneycomo where Rainbow Trout reside (see blog post on Shepherd of Hills Fish Hatchery). An eye-catching attraction at Dewey Short displays the prehistoric-looking Paddle Fish.
Dewey Short Center demonstrations, interpretive programs and Ranger talks
Park Rangers offers FREE interpretive programs and events at Dewey Short Visitor Center. Programs have included topics such as Area plants and Animals, Workings and Benefits of Hydropower; Enviroscape showing how pollutions ends up in waterways; geology of Ozarks, Workings of Table Rock Dam; and many, many more. Check with the center before your visit.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL –501-340-1943
(Some programs may be canceled in inclement weather)
(Left)The eye-catching interior of Dewey Short Visitor Center on State Hwy 165 outside Branson, Mo.
Dewey Short address: 4500 State Highway 165 Branson, MO 65616
DEWEY SHORT CENTER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT HOURS IS IT OPEN?
The center is open Daily: 10:00 am – 5:00 p.m.
WHAT IS THE COST TO ENTER?
Free.
WHAT’S THE PARKING SITUATION?
There is ample parking.
ARE THERE RESTROOMS?
Yes. Clean restrooms can be found inside the Visitor Center and an outdoor one at the start of the walking trail. (on the other side of the Parking Lot near the administrative offices)
HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE?
Yes. Inside the Center.
ARE THERE DRINKING FOUNTAINS?
Yes. Near the Visitor Center bathroom and also by the outdoor bathroom.
ARE THERE PICNIC TABLE?
Yes. Around the Visitor Center and along the walking path including a small covered pavilion type.
IS FOOD AVAILABLE?
No.
Burgers, snacks etc. are sold at State Park Marina down the highway. Look for the entrance sign. (right out of Dewey Short Parking lot, look for the entrance on the right side of the highway).
ARE MAPS AND INFORMATION AVAILABLE?
Yes. The center is staffed by State Park Rangers and local volunteers. Area pamphlets and maps are available at the entrance.
CAN YOU CAMP AT DEWEY SHORT?
No.
Camping is available at adjacent State Park Campground. Check at the Ranger Station down the highway (right out of Dewey Short Parking lot)
BESIDES THE WALKING PATHS — ARE THERE LONGER HIKING TRAILS?
Yes. The Table Rock Lakeshore Trail begins at the restroom on the far side of the parking lot across from Dewey Short Center. It stretches from Dewey Short 2.25 miles to State Park Marina. The trail is used by hikers, joggers, and bicyclists.
https://mostateparks.com/trails/table-rock-state-park
There are other trails in the vicinity. Ask at the center or a Park Ranger for information.
WHO WAS DEWEY SHORT?
Dewey Short was born In Galena, Mo. He served as an infantryman in WWI. He graduated from Baker University in 1919 and Boston University in 1922. He also attended Harvard University, Heidelberg University, and Oxford. He was elected to the U.S. Senate and served on the Senate Armed Forces Committee.
Perhaps this quote by Short from a book by Robert S. Wiley offers insight into Short’s person:
“I deeply and sincerely regret that this body has degenerated into a supine, subservient, soporific, superfluous, supercilious, pusillanimous body of nitwits, the greatest ever gathered beneath the dome of our National Capitol, who cowardly abdicate their powers and, in violation of their oaths to protect and defend the Constitution against all of the Nation’s enemies, both foreign and domestic, turn over these constitutional prerogatives, not only granted but imposed upon them to a group of tax-eating, conceited autocratic bureaucrats a bunch of theoretical, intellectual, professorial nincompoops out of Columbia University, at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue who were never elected by the American people to any office and who are responsible to no constituency. These brain trusters and ‘new dealers’ are the ones who wrote this resolution, instead of the Members of this House whose duty it is, and whose sole duty it is, to draft legislation.” — Delivered in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 23, 1935.
Short died at the age of 81 in 1979.
Quote from: Wiley, Robert S. Dewey Short, Orator of the Ozarks. Cassville, Miss.: Litho Printers and Bindery, 1985.
