Oasis, Missouri facts for kids

Oasis was a small village in Taney County, Missouri. It was located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains. The village was first named Cedar Valley. Today, Oasis rests under 100 feet of water at the bottom of Table Rock Lake. This underwater village is a popular place for scuba divers to explore.

History of Oasis Village

Oasis was a tiny community located on Long Creek, south of Branson, Missouri. It had dirt roads and fewer than 10 buildings. The village also had a three-story mill with a dam, and a general store. This store was also the local place where people would vote.

Why the Name Changed to Oasis

The village was originally named Cedar Valley. We don't know exactly when the name changed to Oasis. But the name Oasis showed how pretty the small farming community was. In 1935, only 21 people lived in Oasis.

The Bridge That Didn't Go Anywhere

From the big red mill, roads went south into Arkansas and north into other parts of Missouri. Long Creek originally had two shallow places to cross, called fords. Taney County built a bridge near the mill. It cost several thousand dollars. But the bridge didn't go anywhere! One end had no road leading to it. The other end was built right up against a steep hill. There was no money to build a road to the bridge. There was also no money to blast a road through the rock on the other side. So, the bridge stayed unused for 10 years. Eventually, the roads were built. The one-lane bridge then connected to Highway 86.

How Table Rock Lake Was Created

In the 1930s and 1940s, people had an idea to build a dam on the White River (Arkansas). This dam would create hydroelectric power. This means it would use water to make electricity. The large reservoir (a human-made lake) created by the dam would also help control floods on the White River.

The dam was approved in 1941. But World War II and the Korean War delayed its construction. Work on the Table Rock Dam finally began in 1954. It was finished in 1958. The dam created a huge lake that covered almost 79 miles of the White River. This new lake was over 50,000 acres big. Oasis now sits under 100 feet (30 meters) of water. The church, mill, and other buildings were covered by the lake. The church cemetery was moved to the new Cedar Valley Church, which is now on U.S. Route 65.

Diving in Table Rock Lake

Table Rock Lake is a popular spot for scuba diving. Even though it's deep, the water is not murky (cloudy) like many other lakes. The underwater visibility is good. This makes scuba diving a popular sport in the lake.

Exploring the Underwater Village

Experienced divers can swim down to Oasis. They can explore the old main street. Parts of the old wooden church are still there. You can also see the foundations of several buildings.

Dive Training and Other Attractions

Table Rock State Park has a dive shop at its marina. Many dive shops in the area also use Table Rock for dive training.

There are other cool things to see in the lake. One is the 'Enchanted Forest'. This is a forest of submerged oak trees filled with very large bass fish. There are also several shipwrecks that divers often visit. One shipwreck is the 'General Pike'. This was a barge used for passengers of the Zebulon Pike, a popular dinner cruise boat in the 1970s and 80s. Not far from the Branson Belle dock, there is also a 40-foot (12 m) cruiser. Many smaller wrecks are found throughout the lake. Classes for search and recovery divers are also held here.