About Kimberling City, MO

High in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, there is a town that sits right on the edge of the deep blue water. This is Kimberling City. Unlike many old towns in Missouri that started hundreds of years ago, Kimberling City is quite young. Its story is all about a family, a ferry, and a giant lake. The story of Kimberling City is part of a much bigger story called The Wilderness Road. Long before it was a paved highway with cars and trucks, it was a series of narrow paths used by animals and Native Americans.

In the 1800s, the Old Wilderness Road was the “main street” of the Ozarks. It connected small farms to the big city of Springfield. Hundreds of giant freight wagons traveled this road every day from dawn until dark. They carried farm goods up to Springfield and brought back tools and supplies that families needed to survive. Believe it or not, schoolchildren were even hired to help! They would walk along the road driving large flocks of turkeys or herds of cows all the way to the freight yards in North Springfield. Before the town was called Kimberling City, it was a busy place called the Radical Campground.

Sometimes, the “mighty” White River would flood, and it was too dangerous to cross. As many as 200 wagons at a time would camp at Radical Campground, waiting for the water to go down so they could continue their journey. A man named Nathaniel Kimberling worked hard with his friend Joe Philibert (who was the very first permanent settler in the Ozarks) to turn the old animal paths into a real road that wagons could use. Crossing the river was always the hardest part of the trip.

At first, a man named Maybry ran a small boat called a ferry to carry wagons across. Later, the Kimberling family took over, and it became the Kimberling Ferry. Eventually, a steel bridge was built to replace the boats. In the late 1950s, everything changed. The government built the Table Rock Dam. When the dam was finished, the White River began to rise and grow wider and wider. The old roads, bridge, and the spot where the ferry used to sit were covered by deep water. In 1959, a massive bridge was built to connect the two sides of the new lake. This bridge is very tall because it has to stand over the deep water! As Table Rock Lake became a popular place for vacations, people realized that the area near the bridge was a perfect spot to live.

In 1973, the people living there decided to officially become a town. They named it Kimberling City to honor the family that had run the ferry so many years before. Today, Kimberling City is known as a “lake town.” Instead of wagons waiting for a ferry, you will see colorful boats docked at the large marina. People come from all over the world to fish and play in the clear water.

Kimberling City, Missouri offers outdoor water activities, lakeside dining, and proximity to Branson attractions. Kimberling City, Missouri, is widely considered a great place to retire for people who want a quiet, scenic, and water-oriented lifestyle.  Located along the shores of Table Rock Lake, the town offers prime access to beautiful apartments, boating, fishing, swimming, and beautiful Ozark Mountain views.  The median age here is high (around 54–60), meaning you will find a large, established community of fellow retirees. The local crime rate is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe and secure environment. Southwest Missouri generally features a lower cost of living and a favorable tax environment.  You are only about 20 to 30 minutes away from Branson, Missouri, which provides expansive healthcare services, major shopping, and live entertainment shows.