In the1950's, the construction of Table Rock Dam and Lake brought great change to the small town of Shell Knob. The lake delivered a flourishing tourist industry and growing retirement community to the area. The town offers all the services needed to enjoy a great family vacation. There are resorts, public marinas, boat and canoe rental, and camping and R.V. parks. The annual Fourth of July fireworks display is well known.
People come from miles around to watch the fantastic light show in the sky.
For a change of pace, there are walking trails in nearby Piney Creek National Wilderness Area. Shell Knob has it's own public school system, public library, volunteer fire department, airport with 3,800 foot airstrip, golf course, banks, many churches, social organizations, and convention facilities. Shell Knob is a community of about2,600 homes scattered along the winding lake shoreline. The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce estimates that 128,000 tourists visit each year. The Chamber's membership has increased 27 percent since 1994.