When I ride my motorcycle, or any vehicle, I tend to notice the brown signs signaling national parks. The signs contain white letters on a brown background. State park signs display the same white letters on a brown background. The brown signs catch my eye when I am cruising down the road, especially in a new-to-me area. Motorcycling around Lake of the Ozarks is no different; I noticed and followed a few “brown signs”. Brad and I stopped at Harry S. Truman State Park, Scenic Overlook of Lake of Ozarks, and Bagnell Dam. Bagnell Dam had a sign, and many others. Ha Ha Tonka State Park was a memorable stop. It required Brad and me to walk a nature trail to the castle ruins. We don’t often get off our bikes for a nature walk. It does happen on occasion. The best so far has been at Glacier National Park, but that was a different story with BBQ and a hungry bear! In Missouri, the Ha Ha Tonka name caught our interest. Plus, it was a short walk. The path let up a steep incline. There are plenty of benches to rest on while enjoying the view along the path. After viewing the castle ruins, we walked to the old water tower and then to the Natural Bridge.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park’s history of the castle ruins. Robert Snyder began constructing the mansion in 1905 as a retreat. Tragically, Snyder passed away in a car accident in 1906 before the mansion was completed. His sons finished it in the early 1920s.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park’s history of the castle ruins. Robert Snyder began constructing the mansion in 1905 as a retreat. Tragically, Snyder passed away in a car accident in 1906 before the mansion was completed. His sons finished it in the early 1920s.
Destruction struck the castle and carriage house in 1942 when a fire ravaged the structure. The water tower met its end in 1976 when it burned down.
Enjoy the pics of the Natural Bridge, Harry S. Truman reservoir, Bagnell Dam, and the Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins
