18.Ha Ha Tonka Mansion
A wealthy businessman named Robert Snyder purchased a large parcel of land in the Missouri Ozarks known to the Native Americans as “Ha Ha Tonka.” With its private lake and walking pathways, the area was stunning. In 1906, he constructed a European-style castle in the center of the woods. However, he has sadly died in the state of Missouri’s first recorded car accident. As a result, he can not ever see the castle finished. In 1920, his son took over the building and completed the court in his father’s honor. Though, the family was being sued over the area’s land rights. Snyder’s son was eventually compelled to vacate the site, and the castle was converted into a hotel.
Because the castle caught fire in 1942, it appears that the entire endeavor was cursed from the start. All that is left now is the stone shell of a fortress. The burning castle remained abandoned in the middle of the woods for decades until Missouri bought it in 1978. In 1979, the land was designated as a state park. It is now open to the public. Much of the part of land has been reclaimed by nature, and visitors may now enjoy water skiing on the lake and trekking through the forest. If you are unable to attend in person, there are numerous video tours available on YouTube. Some others believe the ruins are even haunted.
