A cherished chapter of TV history—and ours—was written right here at Silver Dollar City 56 years ago when the humble heart of the Ozarks met the glitz and glamour of Hollywood.
As Silver Dollar City celebrates 65 years of memories this season, we’re reflecting on an unforgettable era of our early days. In 1969, the young park was buzzing with lights, cameras and action as Town Square was transformed into an elaborate set for five episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies—a moment in time that would put Silver Dollar City in the national spotlight.
The City was a quaint little theme park at the time but was the perfect backdrop for the Clampett family’s wild ride from the backwoods to Beverly Hills for CBS’ top-rated show. It all began as a passion project for producer Paul Henning. Paul grew up camping in the Ozarks while in Boy Scouts and dreamed of creating a show about country folk striking it rich. His love for the Ozarks inspired the stories of Jed Clampett and his family going from rags to riches after striking oil. With its catchy theme song and charming characters, The Beverly Hillbillies was an instant hit.
During its eighth season, Paul took the show on the road to Silver Dollar City to film several episodes. The park’s old-timey buildings and wooded beauty were the perfect place to represent the Clampett’s hometown. The park’s blacksmith, Shad Heller, made a memorable appearance in one episode, and he was so good they sent him to Hollywood to film a few more!
The episodes depicted the Clampetts traveling back home to the Ozarks to attend the Silver Dollar City Fair. Granny and her nemesis, Elverna Bradshaw, competed to find suitable mates for their kin. Granny was determined to find a good fella to marry Elly May. If you look really close, you may even spot Silver Dollar City co-founder Pete Herschend as one of Elly May’s potential suitors. Our candy master June Ward still talks about the excitement that stirred during the week of filming. With her big blond hair, June became an unofficial lighting stand-in for Donna Douglas, who played Elly May.
“I’d stand in the hot sun, waiting as the crew adjusted the lighting just right. I’d sweat out there until it was perfect,” June laughs. “Then Donna would come in, all made-up and beautiful, and everything would be just right.” June’s patience helped create that perfect Elly May glow, contributing to the magic that made those outdoor scenes memorable.
The episodes had an immediate impact on attendance at Silver Dollar City, with more than 900,000 visitors flocking to the park the following year to see spots from the show. Suddenly, Silver Dollar City had gone from Ozarks treasure to pop culture sensation.
The story of how it all came to be still lingers through our hills and hollers. Next time you stop for ice cream on Town Square, look up at the balcony of the Silver Dollar City Hotel above Hannah’s Ice Cream Parlor. It’s where Irene Ryan, who played Granny, famously chased the cast around with a rolled-up newspaper. While most of The Beverly Hillbillies was filmed on Hollywood sets, those outdoor scenes at Silver Dollar City brought a genuine, down-to-earth feel to the show—one that continues to captivate visitors and fans alike.
As Public Relations Manager for the Silver Dollar City Company, she is eager to tap into her journalism background to hunt down “heart tugs” to write about—those stories that celebrate…
