The dam that made everything possible. Built between 1929 and 1931 by Union Electric, Bagnell Dam impounds the Osage River to create Lake of the Ozarks. At the time of its completion it was one of the largest hydroelectric dams in the world. You can walk along the top of the dam for views over the lake on one side and the river gorge on the other.
The north end of the dam anchors the Bagnell Dam Strip, a tourist stretch of souvenir shops, arcades, go-karts, and fudge stands that has been pulling in summer visitors since the 1930s. It is cheerfully tacky — and entirely on purpose.