Abandoned - Indian Ridge Resort

For years, images of ghostly McMansions have been circling around the internet with seemingly no real explanation as to what happened. That's just what were going to figure out today as the real story behind this creepy ghost town is fallout of something that was much, much bigger! Indian Ridge Resort just outside of Branson, Missouri was set to be one of the largest private developments in the area. However after financial disaster and federal investigations leading to 5 people going to prison, the story of the downfall is almost as incredible as the ambition of this enormous development.

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BrightSunFilms 2021

Presented in 4K

[OwnedGolem]

Nice to see the return of the true villain of this series: the 2008 financial crisis

[BlueGuy]

As soon as I realized that the project started in 2006 and was set to open in 2010, I knew the housing market crash would play into its downfall

[christopherfurman]

People: Let’s build shit
2008: I’m about to end this man’s whole career

[ChiefBlue]

I remember when I would go to Silver Dollar City, there would be those signs for Indian Ridge Resort I would pass by and I always thought what is that? Thank you for explaining that to all of us!

[DblOSmith]

One thing I've realized from watching your channel: It's a miracle anything gets built, ever.

[ZGryphon]

Postulated: One of the only things in domestic architecture sadder than a McMansion is a _fake_ McMansion that is actually a duplex. It's like buying a fake Rolex that isn't even really a watch at all.

[wow]

as a Missourian and someone who’s been to Branson thousands of times this one hits hard, glad to see a great video on it.

[wdchapman]

You should do an episode on Wade Park in Frisco, TX. It is a massive billion dollar development started in 2014 and abandoned since 2016...multiple owners and bankruptcies later, you have a partially built Whole Foods and a giant hole in the ground (unfinished underground parking)....it's a real eyesore on the supposed 5 billion dollar mile as they call it.

[crixxxxxxxxx]

They should send the architect to prison for those designs.

[bosborn]

Jake, start paying attention to the recent announced “Ghost town in the sky” revamp in Maggie valley NC. This project has all the hallmarks of a future abandoned project. I’ve done quite a bit of research into the current development project and it seems doomed to fail.

[thefrenchcommander]

It’s amazing to see incomplete buildings abandoned, it feels so empty and weird, too. Like there was no life in that area

[joedavidjarvis]

I have watched those deteriorate over the years when passing by. Used to look very promising

[NGMonocrom]

The term "McMansion" came about years earlier. It actually refers to somewhat successful middle class corporate types who clearly can't afford real mansions. So, they built a pseudo one in lower middle class neighborhoods. They spring up all over the place, like McDonald's fast food eateries. (Hence the Mc.) These fake mansions also look ridiculous compared to the traditional-looking houses in the neighborhoods. Mildly successful individuals wishing to show off their mildly nice bank accounts. In reality, these individuals end up looking as ridiculous as their homes.

[DaytonaPrototypes]

Early/mid 2000's: Lets open a business

2008: Nope.

[esinlung]

Looks like the Bluth development "Sudden Valley."

[Katie-grqq]

Branson overall is such a paradox. In the peak season it's packed, the strip backed up for miles, and Silver Dollar City is shoulder to shoulder crowds. But if you pay attention, so much on that strip is dilapidated, specifically the hotels. Things are always opening, but they stand right next to ghosts like this development. It's always so weird to look over and see the houses and a few minutes later an aquarium, like two totally different worlds.

[yoyobeerman]

Sheeeit, I grew up about 2 hours away from Branson. I was poor as a kid, so going regularly was out of the question; it being a tourist town and all. That being said, as soon as I had my own money and car I went at least every other year. If you're planning on visiting, I have a few words of advice

1. Plan to try their gravity coasters. There's one in town and one just outside of town. The one outside of town is the better one as it's longer and weaves through the Ozark woodlands.

2. Go to a place called Scooter's Sports Grill. You wouldn't expect a mini-golf place to have good food, but let me tell you, that shit is gold. Seriously, give it a shot. They have a superb French dip.

3. The roads are thin and winding, and the traffic is super heavy once afternoon hits. There are tons of 2 way stops onto busy main streets. If you don't want to sit in traffic all day I would highly recommend planning your day out so that you do most of your driving before noon or after sunset.

4. The aquarium that just opened recently is interesting but isn't really worth the cost of entry IMO. If you're looking for a fantastic aquarium in the area try the one attached to Bass Pro in Springfield. It's a bit of a drive, but it's worth every penny. It took me about 5 or 6 hours to make my way through it when I went. Just when you think it'll end, it just keeps going. Took them about 10 years to make it, and it shows.


5. Even though it's a tourist town, it's still a relatively small town. If you expect to be doing anything past 9 or 10 (drinking, partying, renting movies, etc.) stock up during the day. Just about everything is closed past 9. There are a few 24/7 convenience stores, but they have very limited stock and high prices, so get everything you might need before it starts to get dark.

[GigaSyntax]

"in October of 2005, Jim's development was revealed" As soon as I heard those words I knew where this story was headed 😬

[AcuraLvR]

The real victim here is the environment. Nothing has been done to mitigate soil erosion and a lot of damage was done to the forest and hillsides to make way for the infrastructure that never came. Branson itself has been in decline after the 2008 housing market crash, the 2012 tornado and current pandemic has really taken its toll. Another big reason for this decline, Branson's target demographic has all but died off, and younger people are just not interested in the hillbilly themed tourist traps anymore.

[hotaru]

I feel bad for Jim Shirato. He worked hard for years to get his project started and it was never finished for reasons almost entirely not of his own creation.
He put a lot of effort in and the beginning of the project and it's infrastructure was a huge achievement. It's sad for it to be so dismissed as "failed."