The Ozark Heritage Welcome Center is located on the grounds of a city park which features picnic tables and lots of big shade trees. When two of the large oaks there died, Explore West Plains, which operates the welcome center, hired a chainsaw artist to turn the trees into unique sculptures that honor some of the past famous residents of West Plains.
The first recognizes country music legend “Mr. Grand Ole Opry” Porter Wagoner who was born in West Plains. It is inspired by the guitar designed by Greg Rich for Porter’s final studio album. The second sculpture, shown here from three angles, honors the Major League Baseball players who called West Plains home. It includes Dodgers great pitcher Preacher Roe; Pirates standout and 1955 Rookie of the Year Bill Virdon; and Tedd Gullic who played for the St. Louis Browns.
The sculptures can be seen any time by stopping at the welcome center. The center itself is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Plains guidebooks and area information are available 24/7 just outside the front door.