Ha Ha Tonka Castle Story
In 1905 a self made prominent kansas city businessman robert mcclure snyder began construction of his dream home atop a 250 foot cliff overlooking big spring a natural spring in the south central missouri ozarks just outside.
Ha ha tonka castle story. Ha ha tonka history. European castle ruins in an american state park are actually the product of death and grief. The story of the castle is as romantic and tragic as the best stories tend to be. Ha ha tonka castle hahatonka as it once was.
He died in 1906 in one of the first automobile accidents in kansas city. Snyders three sons inherited the unfinished castle. Unfortunately he was killed in an auto accident in 1906 and the castle was completed by his sons robert jr leroy and kenneth in the late 20s. Ha ha tonka castle was to be snyders legacy but as is so often the case he did not live to see his legacy fulfilled.
Although the castle and trail are the most popular attractions visitors to ha ha tonka state park have many other trails and boardwalks to choose from. They had the work continued though at a somewhat slower pace. They lead to many other park features that were created by the lands porous karst geology including tunnels caverns springs and sinkholes. Ha ha tonka state park is a public recreation area encompassing over 3700 acres 1500 ha on the niangua arm of the lake of the ozarks about five miles south of camdenton missouri in the united statesthe state parks most notable feature is the ruins of ha ha tonka an early 20th century stone mansion that was modeled after european castles of the 16th century.
During this video we take you along with us to investigate the ha ha tonka castle ruins. The family faced years of adversity trying to keep the castle in the family when a long legal battle against union electric ensued over the waters of the ozarks that were encroaching upon the natural spring fed lake at the foot of ha ha tonka cliff. However by the time the castle was finally complete the family businesses began to decline and troubles with the property were just beginning. Discover ha ha tonka castle ruins in camdenton missouri.
At ha ha tonka state park. Ha ha tonka is an osage indian name for a region of rugged scenic beauty in the missouri ozarks and the site of a european style mansion known as ha ha tonka castle. Robert mcclure snyder came from humble beginnings one of seven children born to john and sarah pence snyder in columbus ind in 1852. His father grandfather and great grandfather were millers by trade owning mills and grocery stores in virginia kentucky indiana and missouri.
Within driving distance of northwest arkansas.