HOME PRICES

Forsyth has a variety of residential property types in and around the City itself. Some lake front condominiums are available within Forsyth and some manufactured housing is available primarily in the vicinity of Merriam Woods, which lies to the West between Branson and Forsyth. Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lake are both in the immediate vicinity which provides a large number of homes with views of, or access to, these Lakes. Taneycomo is well known for its trophy Trout fishing, while Bull Shoals, a warmer lake, has good Bass fishing. The pie chart below indicates that a vast majority of the homes sold in this school district are less than $150,000 (85%). Nearly half of the homes sold in this area were less than $90,000. These prices are considered to be very reasonable for the Branson area, the region and the nation.

HISTORY

The town of Forsyth was organized in 1837 and it was named after John Forsyth, a former Georgia governor and Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of State. It was a prospering community at the mouth of Swan Creek and the White River, until the Civil War. The town became a pivotal area in the conflict as rebels seized the courthouse for their headquarters. In July of 1861, Union troops drove the rebels back to Arkansas, but in so doing severely damaged the courthouse. The town changed hands several times over the next several years as Union troops would drive out Rebel forces, then retire back to Springfield, some 30 miles northwest.

For eleven years after the Civil War ended, Taney County did without a civil government and anarchy reined as neighbors fought neighbors. The dissension spawned the “Bald Knobbers”, one of the nation’s fiercest, largest, and longest lasting vigilante group. The Bald Knobbers rampaged across the county until 1888, when the vigilante’s leader was killed, ending the fearsome reign. In 1890, the town was incorporated and peace and prosperity returned. Famous visitors were soon drawn to the area for quiet and relaxation.

In 1913, the construction of Powersite Dam, upriver from Forsyth, created Lake Taneycomo, and at that time Powersite was one of the nation’s largest dams used exclusively for the generation of power. Lake Taneycomo attracted even more tourists. Newly paved roads in the 1930’s and rural electrification enticed an ever-increasing number of tourists and new residents to the town and the surrounding area. Then in 1947, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to construct Bull Shoals Dam downstream along the White River to control floods along the river and generate hydroelectric power.

SOCIAL

The present day population represents a congenial diversity: Men and women descended form early homesteaders; retirees from all corners of the country who plan to spend their twilight years fishing or golfing; and tourists seeking a slower pace and more peace than is available in the busier tourist areas. Forsyth’s proximity to Branson, which has experienced a significant “boom” in the last five years, has had an influence on the social aspects of the community with the influx of a few new residents who are working in Branson.

GOVERNMENT

The City of Forsyth is a fourth class City which was established in 1928. It has a Board of Alderman system of government with a mayor and four aldermen. The City is divided into two wards, with each ward supplying two of the alderman.