CoasterGallery.com -- Silver Dollar City

Silver Dollar City
Branson, Missouri

On April 15, 1950, Hugo Herschend leased "Marvel Cave" from Miriam and Genevieve Lynch. Believing the cave could be developed into a profitable business, he later bought 640 acres surrounding the cave. During the summer of 1952, the cave had eight thousand visitors . A few years later, the Herschends built a little town with a blacksmith shop, general store, ice cream parlor, doll shop, and a stagecoach ride. All the town needed was a name.

Since they could not afford to advertise, they came up with a great marketing idea. When giving change to customers, they would give silver dollars. When the visitors would leave the park and try to spend the uncommon coins, they were often asked where they got them. Hence Silver Dollar City was born as a unique way to create word-of-mouth advertising. The park opened on May 1, 1960. The park now has about 2,000 beautiful acres of space. Sliver Dollar City also owns and operates the the nearby defunct Celebration City park.

At the end of 2003, portions of BuzzSaw Falls were removed. Some of the remaining track used to create an air-launched family coaster from S&S Power for 2005. The new ride is called Powder Keg: A Blast in the Wilderness. (Details below)

BuzzSaw Falls

Runaway Ore Cart

Thunderation

Wildfire

Powder Keg
Silver Dollar City adds new $10 million, explosive-launch roller coaster, Powder Keg (November 8, 2004)
I hope to return to Branson this summer to photograph this coaster, so please check back!