History of Ozarks in Timeline

The Ozarks, also known as the Ozark Mountains, Ozark Highlands or Ozark Plateau, constitute a physiographic region primarily spanning Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, with a small portion in Kansas. Covering a substantial area, they encompass northern Arkansas and the majority of southern Missouri, stretching from central Arkansas to central Missouri.

1908: Ozark National Forest Creation

In 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the creation of the Ozark National Forest, aiming to preserve 917,944 acres across five Arkansas counties.

1911: Dams in the White River basin

From 1911 through 1960 multiple smaller lakes were created by dams in the White River basin.

1911: Construction of Powersite Dam

In 1911, construction began on Powersite Dam on the White River near Branson, Missouri, leading to the impoundment of Lake Taneycomo.

1931: Lake of the Ozarks Formed

In 1931, Lake of the Ozarks was formed by impounding the Osage River.

1938: Flood Control Act

After President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Flood Control Act in 1938, six large flood control dams were constructed on the White River and its tributaries.

1939: Mark Twain National Forest Establishment

In 1939, Congress established the Mark Twain National Forest at nine sites located in Missouri.

1940: Grand Lake o' the Cherokee Created

In 1940, Grand Lake o' the Cherokee was created by damming the Grand River in northeast Oklahoma.

1941: Norfork Lake Formed

In 1941, Norfork Lake was formed by damming the North Fork River, a tributary of the White River.

1941: Randolph's Recording Project

In 1941, Vance Randolph, commissioned by Alan Lomax, returned to the Ozarks with a portable recording machine from the Library of Congress.

1952: Bull Shoals Lake Completed

In 1952, Bull Shoals Lake was completed, marking it as the furthest downstream lake on the White River proper.

1958: Table Rock Lake Formed

In 1958, Table Rock Lake was formed in Missouri and it feeds directly into Lake Taneycomo.

1960: Beaver Lake Formed

In 1960, Beaver Lake was formed northeast of Fayetteville.

1961: Lake Sequoyah Formed

In 1961, Lake Sequoyah, a small recreational fishing lake east of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was formed as the uppermost impoundment on the White River.

1961: Pomme de Terre Lake Formed

In 1961, Pomme de Terre Lake was formed by impounding the Pomme de Terre River.

1964: The Wilderness Act

In 1964, The Wilderness Act designated wilderness areas, including second-growth public forests like the Mark Twain National Forest.

1964: Publication of "Ozark Magic and Folklore"

In 1964, Vance Randolph's book "Ozark Magic and Folklore" was published.

Ozark Magic and Folklore

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1964: Ozark National Scenic Riverways Established

In 1964, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways was established along the Current and Jacks Fork rivers as the first US national park based on a river system.

1968: Eleven Point River Included in National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

In 1968, the Eleven Point River was included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

1969: Stockton Lake Formed

In 1969, Stockton Lake was formed by damming the Sac River near Stockton, Missouri, to supplement Springfield's water supply.

1972: Buffalo National River Created

In 1972, the Buffalo National River was created by an Act of Congress as the nation's first National River.

1973: Start of Bittersweet Project

In 1973, the Bittersweet project began as an English class at Lebanon High School in Missouri.

1976: Hercules Glades Wilderness Established

In 1976, Congress established the Hercules Glades Wilderness, marking it as the first of 13 designated wilderness areas in the Ozarks.

1976: Publication of "Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales"

In 1976, Vance Randolph's collection of Ozark folklore, "Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales", was published.

Pissing in the Snow and Other Ozark Folktales

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1979: Truman Lake Formed

In 1979, Truman Lake was formed by impounding the Osage River.

1980: Publication of "Ozark Folksongs"

In 1980, Vance Randolph's four-volume anthology of regional songs and ballads, "Ozark Folksongs", collected in the 1920s and 1930s, was published.

OZARK FOLKSONGS (Music in American Life)

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1983: End of Bittersweet Project

In 1983, the Bittersweet project, which began as an English class at Lebanon High School in Missouri, ended.

1986: Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge Established

In 1986, Congress established the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Oklahoma to protect endangered species and habitats.

1999: Release of "Ride with the Devil"

In 1999, the film "Ride with the Devil", based on the book "Woe to Live On", was released, depicting conflict in southwest Missouri during the Civil War.

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2001: Release of "Ozark Folksongs" album

In 2001, 35 tracks selected from the recordings made by Vance Randolph in 1941-42 were released on the album "Various Artists: Ozark Folksongs" by Rounder Records.

2007: McCann Collection Donated to Missouri State University

In 2007, Gordon McCann donated a collection of audio recordings, fieldnotes, and photographs to Missouri State University in Springfield.

2007: Fire Lookouts Deemed Endangered

In 2007, a report by the National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized fire lookouts in the Ozarks as one of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places.

2008: Publication of "Ozarks Fiddle Music"

In 2008, Drew Beisswenger and Gordon McCann's book/CD set "Mel Bay Presents Ozarks Fiddle Music: 308 Tunes Featuring 30 Legendary Fiddlers With Selections from 50 Other Great Ozarks Fiddlers" was published.

2010: Release of Winter's Bone

In 2010, the film "Winter's Bone", based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell, was released and received the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

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July 21, 2017: Premiere of "Ozark" on Netflix

On July 21, 2017, the drama series "Ozark" premiered on Netflix, revolving around the Byrde family's move to the Ozarks due to a money laundering scheme.

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