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History & Geography of Lake of the Ozarks, Volume One
By H. Dwight WeaverThis information-packed book is a key reference to the history and geography of the 2,500-square-mile Lake of the Ozarks region. Topics are in an easy-to-use format, arranged alphabetically A to Z like in an encyclopedia. The book is illustrated with more than 100 photographs, well indexed, and explores the history of many of the area’s early fishing camps, resorts, roadside attractions, bridges, car ferries, towns, people, places and events. There are detailed descriptions of caves, springs, bluffs, hollows, lake coves and other geographic features. It is the first volume of the “History and Geography” series being written by the author. See the contents page to learn how this and future volumes of the series are laid out.
“It’s a fascinating read – you can literally start anywhere you open the book, and jump around to whatever catches your interest. No matter where around the 1,000 miles of shoreline, there’s something here to read about.” Lake of the Ozarks Business Journal (Dec. 2005).
ISBN 0-9772700-0-9
Personally autographed. Softbound -- 262 pages
$20.00
History & Geography of Lake of the Ozarks, Volume Two
By H. Dwight WeaverVolume Two of the “History and Geography” series presents more than 100 new historical narratives about the Lake. Subjects are presented alphabetically A to Z. Book highlights include histories of the Bagnell Dam Strip, the cities of Osage Beach and Laurie, the early villages of Duroc and Proctor, the notorious Pistol Club of the 1930s, and the story of dining and dancing at the Dam in the 1930s. The saga of Horseshoe Bend includes histories of 33 family resorts that thrived on the Bend from 1955 to 1975. Volume Two recounts the story of the filming of a scene for the 1938 Twentieth Century Fox movie “Jesse James” in which horses and men leaped from a bluff into the Lake along Shawnee Bend. It explores the successes of Joe Dice, the early 20th century swinging bridge builder of the Osage River valley; and details the life and times of Dr. Guss Salley, a native of the region upon whose tombstone are carved the words “Magician, Physician, Politician.” The book also features unusual rock formations and natural wonders along the Lake as well as many other topics. More than 250 photos, maps and other illustrations bring this volume of the “History and Geography” series to life in a special and memorable way.
ISBN 978-0-9772700-1-9
Personally autographed. Softbound -- 228 pages
$20.00
Lake of the Ozarks: The Early Years
By H. Dwight WeaverThis photo-essay book contains more than 200 fascinating vintage photos. Watch the construction of Bagnell Dam unfold in dramatic scenes with informative text as you explore the beginning chapter; then visit the villages and towns around the Lake of the Ozarks. See them as they appeared in the Depression days of the 1930s, the rationing years of World War II, and then in the nostalgic mom and pop roadside attraction years of the 1950s and 60s. The text follows U. S. Highway 54 from Eldon to Camdenton to Ha Ha Tonka and then travels Highway 5 north from Camdenton to Versailles. Images depict the roadside businesses along these highways in and near the towns of Eldon, Tuscumbia, Old Bagnell, Lakeside, Lake Ozark, Osage Beach, Camdenton, Hurricane Deck, Gravois Mills and Versailles. See Old Linn Creek before it vanished beneath the waters of the Lake. The book also explores the beauty and wonders of Ha Ha Tonka State Park, the Lake’s most outstanding natural wonder. Thirty vintage images reveal the magic of Ha Ha Tonka with its natural bridge, castle ruins, bluffs, caves, spring and giant chasm.
ISBN 0-7385-0718-0
Personally autographed. Softbound -- 128 pages
$20.00
Lake of the Ozarks: Vintage Vacation Paradise
By H. Dwight WeaverThis photo-essay book is the sequel to “The Early Years” book. It is a companion book featuring more than 200 additional vintage images of the Lake area from the 1930s to the 1970s. It also visits the historic towns of the Lake, featuring other early fishing camps, resorts, bridges, caves, springs and many additional sites. Early attractions featured include the Ozark Water Ski Thrill Show, Austin Wood’s Nashville Opry Show, Phantom Acres, the Ozark Opry, square dancing, trail rides, Bob Noland’s Country Music Hall, the J Bar H Rodeo, show caves and the surviving smelter of the old Osage Iron Works, which dates to the 1870s. See rare images from the vanished town of Damsite, a construction workers town that existed below Bagnell Dam from 1928 to 1931. See rare images of Charles Lindbergh’s visit to the area when Bagnell Dam was being built. Historic Ha Ha Tonka is visited again in this book with images different from those in the “Early Years” book. In addition, a visit is paid to Warsaw, the land of swinging bridges at the headwaters of Lake of the Ozarks.
ISBN 0-7385-1965-0
Personally autographed. Softbound -- 128 pages
$20.00
Missouri Caves in History and Legend
By H. Dwight WeaverWhile this book does mention some caves found in the Lake of the Ozarks region, it primarily explores the history of Missouri caves statewide. The book records a cultural heritage stretching from the end of the Ice Age to the 21st century. The author takes readers underground to shed light on the historical significance of Missouri caves and correct misinformation about them, and describe ways in which people have used and abused these resources. Chapter titles include: Ice Age Bones; Prehistoric Times; Spooky Burials; Saltpeter and Gunpowder; Bear Hunting; Farm and Home; Beer and Moonshine; War and Outlaws; Onyx Mining; Guano Mining; Buried Treasure; Picnics and Parties; Show Caves; Cave Men and Cave Women; Changing Attitudes; Organized Caving; The Mystique of Caves; and the 12 Cave Regions of Missouri. Few authoritative books on Missouri caves exist and this book is a must for the library of anyone interested in caves. Go underground and explore the history of these dark places that lurk in the hills and hollows of Missouri, a state with more than 6,200 recorded caves.
ISBN 978-0-8262-1778-3
Personally autographed. Softbound -- 128 pages
$20.00
About the Author
Dwight Weaver, a historian of the Lake of the Ozarks region, grew up in central Missouri and has lived at Lake of the Ozarks for 45 years. Prior to retirement in 2000, he worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and was the Public Information Officer for the department’s Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Dwight began writing about Missouri caves in 1971. Caves have interested him most of his life. He is the author of six books on Missouri caves, which includes Missouri Caves in History and Legend (University of Missouri Press, 2008), his most recent contribution to Missouri cave literature; the text for Wilderness Underground: Caves of the Ozark Plateau (University of Missouri Press, 1992); and Missouri, The Cave State (Discovery Enterprises, 1980).
He is considered an authority on the history of the Lake of the Ozarks region and has been writing about the Lake since retirement. His Lake books are featured on this website.
Dwight Weaver is a member of the Missouri Writers Guild, the Ozark Writers League, and the Camden and Miller County historical societies. Through books, lectures, exhibits and photography he spends most of his time in retirement serving as an educational resource for people seeking historical information about the Lake area.
He can be reached by email at:
dwightweaver@charter.net
Phone: 573-365-1171.