Kimberling City was settled as a direct result of the construction of Table Rock Dam and Reservoir by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The first two power units were ready for the generation of power in June of 1959 and units three and four were completed by August 1961. The bridge at Kimberling City is one of the three bridges across the lake. It is the center bridge and is the focus of north-south traffic on State Highway 13.
The City was named after the Kimberling Family, who for many years had operated a ferry approximately where the present State Highway 13 bridge is now located.