Among the many attractions in Branson, Missouri, is a first-rate museum
that remembers the beyond-a-doubt most popular cowboy and cowgirl ever
— Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. The Museum and Happy Trails Theater, which
moved here from California, pays tribute to the famous pair — the King
of Cowboys and Queen of the West — who devoted themselves to keeping
alive, through movies and music, the spirit of the Great American West.
The museum, a must-see for anyone who would be reminded
of a more innocent era, is filled with memorabilia and family photos
all the way back to Rogers’ and Evans’ childhood; also on display are
many of their fancy costumes and parade saddles, their Remington
collection, interactive displays with the voices of the two telling
about their lives and family, and dozens of items from their many films.
At the height of his career, Rogers made as many as six movies a
year. In all, he starred in 88 Westerns, 27 of them with Evans. Nearly
all featured Rogers’ famous steed, Trigger, the elegant palomino, now
mounted at the museum in his famous rearing pose.
Also here is the Happy Trails Theater, where Roy “Dusty” Rogers
Jr. and The High Riders recall bygone America in their own way,
performing Western classics. Dusty’s father, the singing King of
Cowboys, had said he “hoped the museum would be a place for people to
come have fun … and remember what America was like so many years ago.”
For more information, call (417) 339-1900 or check online at royrogers.com.
