Volume 1, Number 7 - Spring 1963


ROCKAWAY BEACH
The Origin and Growth of Rockaway Beach, Missouri
By Stephen Burton

(The following is a thumb-nail sketch taken from the memories of and written by Stephen Burton, a resident of Rockaway Beach since 1918.)

(The reminiscences of residents of Rockaway Beach, Missouri, and photographs appearing on this and the following pages were collected by Mrs. Ralph S. Coughenour.)

Early view of Hotel Rockaway

Early view of Hotel Rockaway

WILLARD MERRIAM, a member of the firm of Merriam, Ellis & Benton Realty and Insurance Company, Inc., Kansas City, Kansas, learned of the plans for the Empire District Electric Dam to be built in Taney County. Looking for a good location to establish a summer resort, he decided on the present location of Rockaway Beach as ideal for their venture. From the Renshaw family, Mr. Merriam purchased over 600 acres of land in Taney County with Rockaway Beach as the focal point, and along with his wife, Anna Peacock Merriam, he proceeded to make a real estate project out of this acreage after christening the resort with its present and only name.

Sales soared and as people became permanent residents at the resort, there soon was need of a post office. Up to this time our mail was addressed "Rockaway Beach, on Lake Taneycomo, via Branson, Missouri." The first post office was established (January 31, 1919) with the name "Taneycomo, Missouri." However, the first postmaster, Jacob Mueller, figured the name of the resort might be duplicated elsewhere in Missouri, and he circulated a petition to Washington, D. C., and so the name was changed to and has remained "The Rockaway Beach Post Office." (Mr. Mueller was postmaster until George Puchta was appointed March 1, 1939.)

Hotel Taneycomo (the 'brown' hotel)

Hotel Taneycomo (the 'brown' hotel)
Photo courtesy R. S. Coughenour

The Merriam's first home, "Whileaway", was located on the site known today as "Eden Rock Motel" owned by the Bud Naiotis. Just a few steps away from "Whileaway" a cottage was built called "Step In" which contained the kitchen and dining room

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for the Merriam family. "Whileaway" was later occupied by George Hall and Margaret Lilly. She was one of the famous Weaver troupe of actors. After George Hall died, Margaret married "Chappie" Chapman and occupied this home for a number of years. When Margaret died Chappie sold the place to the Bud Naiotis.

Tourists first traveled to Rockaway Beach via the Missouri Pacific Railroad to Branson or Hollister, then down the lake by boat. Mail was also brought to the various landings on Lake Taneycomo by the famous old boat, the "Sadie H."

The first group of cottages erected by the Merriams for rental purposes is known today as "Brookside Bungalows." These cottages were later sold to Harry Smith and his wife, who operated them for many years in connection with their grocery store and filling station.

The first dance pavilion was on the lake shore at the east end of the bathing island, a building 25 x 40 feet. It was located right in front of the property known today as Mrs. Edythe Conover's home, and "Water's Edge Cottages," the latter owned by Orville Fergus. This dance pavilion was built in 1919 and music was provided by a duo consisting of piano and trap drums-piano by Richard Dickinson and drums played by Ted Nestell.

The first store was built and operated by Jacob Mueller and his wife on the present property known today as "George's Store." Mr. and Mrs. Mueller had formerly operated a grocery store in Kansas City and lived not far away from the Merriams who persuaded them to come to Rockaway Beach.

The present town site of Rockaway Beach was plotted by Mr. Merriam-streets were cleared, and wells were driven so that every cottage would be no more than two blocks to a fine well-with a hand-pump handle yet! Some of these oldtime wells have been capped and covered with floorings of present structures at Rockaway Beach. Some ten or twelve years after the original wells went in, property owners decided they must have a more efficient water system. A bond issue was voted and the Rockaway Beach Water Company was estab-

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lished in 1930.

Although kerosene and gasoline furnished the fuel for lighting, it was not until 1925 that the Merriams built a service line from the Dam to Rockaway Beach, not only electric lights for buildings but the very first street lights. I still smile when I remember incidents concerning the service and billing for this great utility, for Harry D. Harding who did the work has spoken many times of the then "terrific" cost of equipment-just about $10,000.00.

Those early-day guests came and stayed for an entire summer-sometimes less but nearly always for several weeks. This, of course, was before the construction of the hotels, and The Merriam Company furnished beds, table and chairs to the guests. Dishes and linens could be rented or "bring your own" with you.

All during these years lots were being sold and cottage construction was going apace. Next-The Merriam Company built a much larger dance pavilion on the exact spot where we see the present large dance pavilion. The new pavilion featured food in a building next door called "The Inn"-- sort of delicatessen style, everything "to go." The famous and well-loved character of Rockaway Beach, "Capt." Bill Boberts, was the proprietor of this food venture, along with a partner, and the next season they established the popular "Captain Bill's Sportsmen Hotel and Restaurant", the first cafe on the beach.

The Crist family built two hotels--identical in structure. One is now known as the Lakeview Rest Home at Ozark Beach, and the other is the Hotel Rockaway, the white pillared hotel on the main street of Rockaway. The Merriam family built Hotel Taneycomo and surrounding cottages. This Hotel, of rustic design, is sometimes called the "brown" hotel, located on the curve of the road leading into Rockaway at the east end. Within a few years the Merriams bought Hotel Rockaway from the Crist family.

This well was sunk back of Rockaway, and is still there the triangle of ground near present fire station. Note "water witching" twigs in hands of Margaret Schneikart. This well was sunk back of Rockaway, and is still there the triangle of ground near present fire station. Note "water witching" twigs in hands of Margaret Schneikart.
Early picture of the Mueller store and postoffice.
Early picture of the Mueller store and postoffice.
(Photos courtesy Mrs. George Schneikart)

Boats landing at Rockaway in those days docked in front of the the pavilion and after landing, the passengers walked through the pavilion toward their destinations on the beach. Hotel and cottage own-

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ers, of course, had their representatives at the landing "barking" for their respective establishments in order to lure the tourist their way.

In the meantime, Captain Bill was given the management of the dance pavilion and with a good band established the first all-summer public dance in the entire area. Soon after that another cafe was started on the present site of "Naioti's Restaurant". We all had fun exchanging dance bands and people two nights each week with Branson. Rockaway's band and dancers would board a dance boat operated by the SAMMY LANE DOCK, dance all the way to Branson, get off and enjoy an evening at the pavilion in Branson, and then dance our way home to Rockaway on the boat. The next night it was vice versa.

The popularity and the business of a new thriving resort called for some sort of an association. Mr. Will Bard, a newspaper man, with other civic-minded helpers, organized "The Rockaway Beach Association." Business people with families were established as permanent residents and of course this called for a school. The Merriam Company donated the land and after a special vote, the rural district school was moved to Rockaway Beach and the community built a two-room (Grammar and high school) school building which today is known as the Community Building.

Mr. Bard also put out the first Rockaway Beach folder in order to publicize the area as an Ozark Mountain summer resort. Following this, the organization known as The White River Booster League (consisting of four points on Lake Taneycomo- Branson, Forsyth, Hollister and Rockaway Beach) created and circulated another booklet publicizing the four areas it represented.

The Sammy Lane Boat Line had by now established their dock at the present site, Rockaway Beach, known as "Vass' Dock". The next boat dock established was opposite George's Store and was built by Fred Mueller. William Andrews, Sr. became interested in this dock, which was then owned by Mueller and Bard, so when the ownership exchanged, Mr. Andrews gave the dock a new name which remains today-"Rockaway Beach Boat Dock", owned now by Floyd Melton.

Soon after this dock was established, two fishing docks were built in the vicinity of the present fishing docks-DeLair's, Jack's and Sportsman's Dock. These were the first docks to cater to fishermen and all were at the far end of the bathing island. The present Patterson Boat Dock was the last to be established catering to pleasure boats, canoes, water-skiing, pedalos, etc. The original owner of this dock was J. P. Morgan, from Springfield, Mo.

Mr. william R. Roberts   Mrs. William R. Roberts

Mr. and Mrs. William R. Roberts
Mr. Roberts was the well-known and well-loved "Capt. Bill" of Rockaway Beach. Mrs. Roberts was born Betty Robbins at Lathrop, Mo., August 25, 1888, and died at Forsyth, Mo., October 15, 1962.
(Photos courtesy Miss Jewyl Robbins)

Rockaway Beach continued to grow by leaps and bounds to its present state-one of the finest resort areas in the Ozarks. We now have hotels and motels, cottages, swimming pools, all modern and maintaining the highest standards. Rainbow trout now swim in Lake Taneycomo along with the tourists. Rockaway Beach offers everything possible for a tourist's vacation pleasure.

This year, 1963, we celebrate the 50th Golden Anniversary for Lake Taneycomo-which made not only Rockaway Beach possible but all else in Taney County, and in the minds of us old-timers the Empire District Electric people should not be forgotten on this happy occasion, but should receive in full measure the credit that is due them in the promotion of this beautiful area.

By the way, do you know how Lake Taneycomo came by its name? It is a contraction of-Taney, County, Missouri-"Taney-Co-Mo". And Rockaway Beach is located right on the shore of the Lake, and this is something you cannot find on a Government lake, to my knowledge. Thanks again, Empire District Electric Co.!

As I dream of the years that have passed since my wife and I first came to Rockaway Beach, a kaleidoscope of well-loved faces passes before me- dear friends who have passed over the threshold of life but their staunch characters and progressive spirits left an impact on our community which helped greatly to make this one of the most pleasant places in the world to live. Some of the old-timers are still with us and it is our pleasure when we meet to "chin" awhile of the "good old days".

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