Visiting A Few Points of Interest in The Ozarks!
Christ of the Ozarks
The first point of interest was the 67-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks statue, a well-known landmark since 1966 on Magnetic Mountain in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
While the statue is tall, I wasn’t impressed by its aesthetics: the measurements seemed off, and I understand why it’s nicknamed “Gumby Jesus.” It’s also worth mentioning that the statue was a project of Gerald L.K. Smith, a controversial figure in the 1930s. The statue and he and his wife’s burial site on the grounds, made me uneasy. If I had known upfront, I wouldn’t have visited.
What I did like was the ten-by-ten section of the actual Berlin Wall. By the way, this is the second time we have seen a part of the Berlin Wall in the United States; another piece is incorporated into the Chicago Tribune building’s wall in Chicago.
The Thorncrown Chapel
The next POI we visited was the five-time award-winning Thorncrown Chapel (built in 1980) in Eureka Springs. Designed by architect E. Fay Jones and inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie School Style, this stunning chapel was commissioned by retired school teacher Jim Reed as a non-denominational meditation space.
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Branson, MO
We also drove to Branson, Missouri, for a quick visit. Branson is undoubtedly a hidden gem in the Ozarks.
Its historic downtown is charming, with quaint stores and beautiful murals, and the modernized waterfront Branson Landing is a lovely modern shopping area.
Branson offered more than we expected from a little town in the middle of the Ozarks. We might return to stay a little longer, to experience the nightlife and see one of their many shows!
Date
Sunday, October 9, 2022
DistanceS
0.50 mi, 0.21 mi
0.24 mi, 1.61mi
Moving Time
15 min, 8 min
7.5 min, 44 min
WEATHER
72-77 °F
sunny, calm