Bryan Smith had the opportunity to visit the area in July 1999. He was kind enough to share his experience with us:
During the week of July 26, 1999, I took a much needed vacation to Branson, Missouri. I had not been there since I was a small child and had heard so many good things about it I just had to go back.
Even before I left, I had become aware of the Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area in Branson. Someone had brought it to the attention of Dave and Deb and they kindly posted information about it on their web site. Upon reading that information I decided to visit the conservation area on my visit to Branson.
I must first say that Branson is a fantastic place. Lots to see and do. My friends and I took in many great shows such as the Oak Ridge Boys, Soji Tobuchi, The Prince of Magic, etc. We also took in the great water park "White Water" and did the "Ride The Ducks" trip. Silver Dollar City was to be our destination on Saturday, July 31, 1999 and I planned to visit the Henning Conservation Area before going there because it was right on the way.
Before going to Silver Dollar City I kept wondering if there would be anything there about Petticoat Junction or the Beverly Hillbillies. The reason I wondered this was because in my first visit there in 1972 I remember cut-outs of the Hillbillies at Silver Dollar City advertising things. This time however, there was nothing. Before going to Silver Dollar City we took a helicopter ride over Branson. When the Henning Conservation Area was pointed out I asked the pilot if he knew who that was named for. He didn't have a clue so I filled him in. It's a shame that the locals don't know who the Hennings are. My thought is that maybe someone can be contacted in the State of Missouri about putting up a plaque or sign explaining who the Hennings are. Just a thought.
Anyway, on the way to Silver Dollar City, just outside of Branson about a mile on Route 76 is the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation area. You come around a curve and there it is. A huge sign greets you telling you this is the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. You can then pull into the spacious parking lot and take a look at the scenic overlook or hike on many of the nice trails. The area is very clean and away from all the hustle of Branson. I had my friend take my picture in front of the big sign and I have sent a copy of it to Mrs. Ruth Henning whom I've had the pleasure of meeting once. If anyone gets the chance to go to Branson I would encourage you to stop and see the beautiful Ozark Mountains all around you. While looking out I kept imagining everything gone and the Hooterville Valley being down below. That brought a smile to my face.
In closing I would say this. Several of us have gotten together before at these Hollywood Collector Shows along with the PJ ladies and even Mrs. Henning. What do you think about the possibility of having a PJ convention of sorts in Branson? Maybe Paul and Ruth Henning could attend as well as the PJ ladies. We could all get together in a casual, down-home, Hooterville-type atmosphere and enjoy each other. Just something to think about. We could also enjoy the beautiful Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area. If you get to Branson, be sure to visit it.
Bryan E. Smith
A devoted PJ fan
Even closer to Branson--right in the heart of the beautiful country made famous by Harold Bell Wright's The Shepherd of the Hills--is the Ruth and Paul Henning State Forest. A parking area is located on the north side of Hwy. 76 about four miles northwest of Branson.
Within the state forest is the dramatic White River Balds Natural Area. Here, on 362 acres almost unbelievably near the traffic and the bustle of Hwy. 76, the visitor can experience the glades with little investment of effort. The overlook affords a good view. For those who wish to walk up the side of Dewey Bald (a locale from Wright's novel) or get closer to the uncommon smoke trees, Ashe junipers, and wildflowers, two easy trails begin there.
Although the glades dominate the landscape, other important features occur in the area. An interesting headwaters creek winds toward Roark Creek and drains Dewey Cove Hollow, the bottom of which is forested with oaks, cedars and other species of trees. More forest occurs on the high knobs above the glades.
Because of its particularly easy access, a visit to the White River Balds Natural Area is especially appropriate on a rainy or chilly day or any other time a prolonged wilderness experience doesn't appeal. Fans of The Shepherd of the Hills will gain a new understanding of that novel from a study of the landscape on which it is set. But one doesn't need to read the book to enjoy the surviving locale.
Remember that all these special glade areas are protected, but hiking, photography and observation are encouraged. For more information, including applicable regulations for use, on Glade Top Trail or Hercules Glades Wilderness, write to the District Ranger of Ava Ranger District, Mark Twain National Forest, Ava, MO 65608, or call (417) 683-4428.
For details on the White River Balds Natural Area or Ruth and Paul Henning State Forest, contact the Missouri Department of Conservation, P. O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
Ruth Henning explained to me how the Conservation Area had come about:
About that picture of the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area - that's a lovely mountain just outside Branson, Missouri. We used to go to Silver Dollar City a lot. That's a theme park near Branson. Paul saw how the schlocky stores and developments were ruining some of that beautiful Ozark scenery so he bought a lot of land, practically a whole mountain and we resisted the offers of developers and finally made a deal with the state of Missouri. They bought it from us at a very low price - much less than we could have gotten commercially and we gave them a lot of it outright -- so that's why they named it after us. There was a big ceremony with the governor there and everything - a long time ago. Now friends who go to Branson see it and are surprised.