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An historic legend carries on - Devils Pool at Big Cedar Lodge

by Gary Groman aka The Ole Seagull
published: Mar 9, 2005

Swinging bridge overlooking Devil's Pool
What should a world class resort include? If your list includes the tranquility and peace of gentle rolling hills, pristine creeks, deer running through open fields, waterfalls cascading over multi tiered rustic roadways, wild flowers gently swaying in the breeze, and the wind blowing through the trees, Big Cedar Lodge, located 10 miles south of Branson, Missouri, off of Highway 86, on the shores of Table Rock Lake, just might be for you. In addition to its natural wonders, Big Cedar Lodge has all the services, activities, and amenities one would expect of a world class resort of its caliber and has a rich history that has become part of its present.

 

Every world class resort has a world class restaurant and Big Cedar Lodge is no different. What is different is that it is located about a stones throw from where, centuries ago, the Osage Indians found a spring they believed was so deep that it flowed down to the Devil himself. They named it Devils Pool, and that name that has stuck for centuries.

 

In the late 1920s, businessman Jude Simmons and railroad executive Harry Worman bought 300 acres of forest to build upscale resort homes at Devil's Pool. Simmons constructed a log mansion, and Worman built a stone and stucco house. In 1947, Real estate executive Dan Norris purchased the property added a lodge, swimming pool and stable and called it Devil's Pool Ranch.

 

Bass Pro Shops' John Morris acquired the land in 1987 and, as part of building Big Cedar Lodge, restored the original Simmons and Worman buildings. As part of this restoration the former Simmons house was renovated and is now the houses the resorts world class restaurant.

 

When the White River was dammed up in 1958, forming Table Rock Lake, its waters overflowed Devils Pool. It is now clearly visible only on those few occasions when the lake levels in Table Rock Lake drop significantly. However, the water coming up from Devils Pool causes a slight color differentiation in the lake water overflowing it. Under certain lighting conditions, if one looks very carefully, from the lakeside of the swinging bridge that is located not a stones throw away from the front door of the resort restaurant bearing its name, the Devil's Pool Restaurant, the source if that name can be discerned.  

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Editor of The Branson Courier - [author's site]

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