We continued on to Sedalia to the Katy Depot. During Tobey's Katy Trail bike ride trip in 2020 we stopped here, but the Depot was closed due to the Covid pandemic. Today we were able to go inside and visit the museum. It was interesting and I am glad we stopped! 
This is Tobey today and the second picture was us in 2020!
We continued on to Ho Ho Tonka Castle Ruins near Camdenton, Missouri and got our first views of the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Ho Ho Tonka Castle was the dream of a wealthy Kansas City businessman Robert Snyder. He wanted to construct a European-styled castle in Missouri and purchased 5,000 acres of land, including his very own lake, and began work on the mansion in 1905. The businessman even imported stone masons from Europe to achieve the correct style, but unfortunately Snyder did not live to see his dream house completed. In 1906, Snyder was killed in one of Missouri’s first car accidents. After his death, Snyder’s sons continued work on the building and it was completed by 1920. After completing construction, one of Snyder’s sons took up residence in the huge castle until the family’s money ran out due to land rights lawsuits surrounding the castle’s property. Depression and poverty forced the son from the house and the building was opened as a hotel and lodge until 1942 when the entire building was destroyed by a fire.
This is Tobey today and the second picture was us in 2020!
We continued on to Ho Ho Tonka Castle Ruins near Camdenton, Missouri and got our first views of the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Ho Ho Tonka Castle was the dream of a wealthy Kansas City businessman Robert Snyder. He wanted to construct a European-styled castle in Missouri and purchased 5,000 acres of land, including his very own lake, and began work on the mansion in 1905. The businessman even imported stone masons from Europe to achieve the correct style, but unfortunately Snyder did not live to see his dream house completed. In 1906, Snyder was killed in one of Missouri’s first car accidents. After his death, Snyder’s sons continued work on the building and it was completed by 1920. After completing construction, one of Snyder’s sons took up residence in the huge castle until the family’s money ran out due to land rights lawsuits surrounding the castle’s property. Depression and poverty forced the son from the house and the building was opened as a hotel and lodge until 1942 when the entire building was destroyed by a fire.
This is the house.
This was a view of the Lake of the Ozarks from the "castle" .
The water tower which served the entire property was at the top of the hill near the parking lot. It was not damaged during the fire in 1942, however, vandals set it on fire in 1976! The state purchased the property in the 1970s and has worked to preserve the crumbled walls of Snyder's dream home.
This was a view of the Lake of the Ozarks from the "castle" .
The water tower which served the entire property was at the top of the hill near the parking lot. It was not damaged during the fire in 1942, however, vandals set it on fire in 1976! The state purchased the property in the 1970s and has worked to preserve the crumbled walls of Snyder's dream home.
From the parking lot, we took the trail past the water tower to the spring which was used as the water source. Over 200 steps down ...
The Ha Ha Tonka Spring is Missouri's 12th largest spring. It has an average daily flow of more than 58 million gallons! The spring water remains at 56 degrees F year-round. We made the trip down - and back up! It was more difficult on the way up because I forgot to bring a water bottle and it was about 80 degrees, but we made it.
One of the things we heard throughout the time there were cidadas! This guy buzzed my head. I was proud I didn't shriek, but I did jump!
One of the things we heard throughout the time there were cidadas! This guy buzzed my head. I was proud I didn't shriek, but I did jump!
Our last stop at Ho Ho Tonka was the natural bridge. It was an easy walk from the parking lot and very beautiful.
The bridge is formed in Gunter sandstone over Eminence Dolomite which is the "host" rock formation for many of the caves and springs in Missouri's Ozark Highlands area. It is approximately 550 million years old! Originally, a cave had formed here then collapsed, leaving the natural bridge and a sinkhole.
The bridge is formed in Gunter sandstone over Eminence Dolomite which is the "host" rock formation for many of the caves and springs in Missouri's Ozark Highlands area. It is approximately 550 million years old! Originally, a cave had formed here then collapsed, leaving the natural bridge and a sinkhole.
It was almost 6pm when we left the ruins and headed toward Licking, Missouri for the night. Much of the drive was up and down the rolling hills and through the Mark Twain National Forest. We enjoyed the winding roads and quiet scenery.
Tomorrow we hope to see more new sights!
No comments:
Post a Comment