Those of you that know me know how fond I am of this place. I'll have more to say about this later, but I'm pretty bummed right now. Been there since 1968 or so another Branson treasure likely gone for good. Sorry I can't provide a link but if you go to auctionzip.com and search Compton ridge you'll find the sale bill
[(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u36/larson_6/21A7DB92-F249-4BD7-8FCB-75C81CC087EB_zpsz3pzzzvh.png) (http://s164.photo-bucket.com/user/larson_6/media/21A7DB92-F249-4BD7-8FCB-75C81CC087EB_zpsz3pzzzvh.png.html)[/img]
they are selling everything... No word about property?? that's odd.. unless it has already been sold, and buyers didn't want any of the goodies.. (but I doubt it)..
http://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionview.cgi?lid=1964086&kwd=compton%20ridge&zip=65615&category=0
Sad to hear this. Remember, folks...there is a bench on the porch of a building there with a"Lost Silver Mine" Play billboard on it. That would be a goodie for a SDC/Branson collector. Some of my fellow Dugan boys actually camped out all summer in RVs at Compton Ridge back around '80 or '81. We were young and sturdy fellows, but the idea of spending ALL summer in an RV at a campground that many of the people you saw on park all day were also staying at did not appeal to me.
Is there any possibility that SDC has purchased the property since it is right across the road from the Wilderness plus the SDC health clinic building is on the front of the Compton Ridge property?
Silver Dollar City Resort?
If SDC is smart, they did buy it. Who knows? It would be good for some company expansion. Health clinic, a SDC hotel, campground expansion, new White Water location, the possibilities are endless. If nothing else, they could keep the property for a buffer zone from the development in Branson.
Quote from: Junior on November 28, 2013, 08:13:25 AM
Sad to hear this. Remember, folks...there is a bench on the porch of a building there with a"Lost Silver Mine" Play billboard on it. That would be a goodie for a SDC/Branson collector. Some of my fellow Dugan boys actually camped out all summer in RVs at Compton Ridge back around '80 or '81. We were young and sturdy fellows, but the idea of spending ALL summer in an RV at a campground that many of the people you saw on park all day were also staying at did not appeal to me.
I believe I posted some pics of that bench somewhere on here, but thanks for reminding me I wasn't even thinking about that. I might try to get down there and see if I can get it.
http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=683.msg32477#msg32477 (http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=683.msg32477#msg32477)
Now that I've got a real keyboard, I'd like to share my thoughts and feelings on this. I truly am heartbroken over this. It may seem silly, but this is the place we have stayed almost every summer for the last 10 years or so. My kids have grown up staying there, we've had many friends and family camp there with us over the years, and have made a ton of memories there. This is not the first time it's changed hands, but the piece meal auctioning off of the fixtures and furnishings tells me it will be the last. At least as a functioning campground.
To the best of my knowledge, Compton Ridge was opened sometime around 1968 by Dean and Vinita Sims. They were still the owners and operators along with their son Jeff when we started going there in the early 2000's. Sometime around 2005-2006 it was sold to Legacy RV resorts, which a franchise RV park operator with a not so great reputation. There were a couple of reasons given for why it was sold, Dean's age and health were one, but there were other factors and without getting into their personal life too much I will just say they experienced some tragedy in their lives. At any rate after the Legacy took over, the change was instant and apparent. Corporate ownership and control had taken the place of a hands on family ran business. Their business dropped off dramatically, their usually stellar reviews on line went down the toilet and for the first time we explored other options. Legacy had it for maybe a couple of years and did a fine job of trashing the good reputation the Sims family had built up over almost 40 years. It was then either sold, traded for another property, or a little of both to the Speight Family. They owned a KOA in Colorado which is now owned by Legacy which leads me to believe there was some sort of swap. Robert Speight was the primary owner and did a very good job of restoring the park to the way it had been. I mentioned several times to them over the last few years how proud I thought the Sims family would be of how they were running things. I met Bob Speight several times at the park and he appeared to be in his late 50's early 60's which makes me question the "due to health reasons" statement in the auction bill. Obviously something has happened that we don't know about to force the sale, but I thought they were doing quite well there.
As for the property itself there's about 75 or 80 acres there total, with the proposed highroad extension running in back of it. I'm really wondering if some developer didn't go in there and make an offer they couldn't refuse for the land to build condos or something. That's the only reason I can think of why they aren't selling the business complete again. I also hope that if it's gone forever as a campground that SDC picks up the property, but I have my doubts. I really see condos or townhouses or something going in there.
Quote from: Junior on November 28, 2013, 10:01:57 AM
If SDC is smart, they did buy it. Who knows? It would be good for some company expansion. Health clinic, a SDC hotel, campground expansion, new White Water location, the possibilities are endless. If nothing else, they could keep the property for a buffer zone from the development in Branson.
Now that's some smart thinking!
it does seem odd, there is NO mention of land auction, land for sale,,,,
Agreed that is it is odd they are selling anything/everything that is not nailed down.. ???
OH!! I know... how about future site for a new and improved WW??
man oh man!! Aint speculation and guessing wonderful?
I feel for ya thelarsonix. Always sad when a family favorite goes under. Here's to hoping that whatever happens to it, you are able to go back and make more fond memories.
Wish I could say I bought the land that's why there's no mention...but nope.
I've searched the MLS listings for commercial real estate in Branson, and nothing. That's what makes me suspect it's already sold, but once again, that's just my speculation. Aside from it being a family favorite, it's also taking probably 150 campsites and I would guess 50 or so motel rooms off the market.
I was a seasonal camper at Compton Ridge. I received a Certified Letter on Friday, November 28. Had to be out by Sunday, December 1. The short notice over the holiday weekend was awful. In addition to the auction this Thursday, the bank takes possession of the property on Friday. The property had been on the market for several years. SDC expressed some interest but it didn't pan out. Extremely sad.
Quote from: SDC Pin Trader on December 02, 2013, 03:30:16 PM
I was a seasonal camper at Compton Ridge. I received a Certified Letter on Friday, November 28. Had to be out by Sunday, December 1. The short notice over the holiday weekend was awful. In addition to the auction this Thursday, the bank takes possession of the property on Friday. The property had been on the market for several years. SDC expressed some interest but it didn't pan out. Extremely sad.
If it's now bank owned, SDC may feel it out again. If it was a resort, wonder if they could do a gondola lift to SDC.
It wasn't a resort, it was a campground with a motel and second campground up the road. And it's straight across the highway from the Wilderness, that SDC already owns and operates. A gondola would have to cross their campground and another highway to get to this one. I have wondered why they haven't cut in a road from Indian Point to the back of the Wilderness. I'm pretty certain they own all the adjoining property. I guess they figure it's cheaper just to keep running the shuttles.
Quote from: SDC Pin Trader on December 02, 2013, 03:30:16 PM
I was a seasonal camper at Compton Ridge. I received a Certified Letter on Friday, November 28. Had to be out by Sunday, December 1. The short notice over the holiday weekend was awful. In addition to the auction this Thursday, the bank takes possession of the property on Friday. The property had been on the market for several years. SDC expressed some interest but it didn't pan out. Extremely sad.
I did not know it had been on the market. I guess business was not as good as I had thought.
Larson, I know how you feel about a family favorite going down the drain. We stayed at Vickery Resort on the lake for years! In fact, we spent part of our honeymoon there. A few years ago, they told us that unless we bought a condo, we couldn't stay the following year. A big ugly box condo now sits on location.
Got this email yesterday:
COMPTON RIDGE CAMPGROUND
5040 STATE HIGHWAY 265
BRANSON, MO 65616
Phone: 417-338-2911
4 Dec 2013
After 5 years of fighting the good fight in Branson, the Limited Partnership that owns the property at Compton Ridge Campground and Lodge has decided to close. Robert and Sandy Speight owned the operating company that leased the property from the Partnership. When the decision was made at the end of October by the Partnership, we looked high and low for a different outcome. This proved to be futile. So, we heavy hearts, Compton Ridge Campground and Lodge will close for good December 1st. All reservations for 2014 are canceled. Refund checks will be processed over the next month with the hope to have everything out by January First. There are numerous good parks in the Branson area that will appreciate your business. We appreciate your support an d wish you happy camping in the future.
Robert & Sandy Speight
Compton Ridge has reopened under Ocean Canyon Properties. There was much speculation about turning the campground into a timeshare, and I'm still not positive what their plans are, however I did see they linked to one of my posts here on their facebook page discussing the Sims family who were the original owners and how they intend to follow in that tradition. Fingers crossed.
Compton Ridge has reopened under Ocean Canyon Properties. There was much speculation about turning the campground into a timeshare, and I'm still not positive what their plans are, however I did see they linked to one of my posts here on their facebook page discussing the Sims family who were the original owners and how they intend to follow in that tradition. Fingers crossed.
QuoteWe are up to the challenge. Our friends and business associates in Branson called us when the campground became available. They told us about the Sims family and how they built this campground into a highly respected business in the community. As you can see from this post, we have done some research and would love to speak with campers that knew the Sims. We understand some of the family members are still in the area and we hope they stop by to say hello. We are a very community oriented company with good christian values and hope to continue some of there traditions that may have been lost in the interim ownership between us and the Sims. Also please pass on our new Facebook page along to our friends as the last owner will not us use the page that they created.
QuoteWe plan to continue the great family camping tradition that the Sims family started at Compton Ridge so many years ago. We salute the Sims! They created a beautiful campground and we are proud to be the new owners and caretakers. There is some historical discussion of the Sims and some old photo of Compton Ridge Campground - Ocean Canyon Properties here:
http://sdcfans.com/forums/index.php?topic=1632.0
Big thumbs up. I'd like to see more small town charm that made Branson what it was. All the timeshares and condos have really changed the landscape in the last 30 years, and I don't necessarily think that is a good thing.
Nothing in the sale bill mentions real estate, but, how 'bout calling the auctioneer?
they did not sell any real estate at the auction.....
but they did sell everything that wasn't bolted down!!
AND a few things that were bolted down.......
Quote from: sanddunerider on April 23, 2014, 12:58:30 PM
they did not sell any real estate at the auction.....
but they did sell everything that wasn't bolted down!!
AND a few things that were bolted down.......
They were going to. I'm not entirely sure now that they did. The day the auction was scheduled was a snowstorm. I've looked at some of the pics on their new website, and drove by there yesterday and I saw a lot of things that I thought would be missing. I suppose the new owners could have bought it all at the auction, who knows.
I was at Billy Gails for breakfast sunday and noticed cars in fron of the 2 Compton ridge motel buildings..... checked my phone and had a wifi signal from there also.... SOOOO apparently they are open again.... same signage...