Once Upon A Time... by bmac62
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Description
...there was a wealthy Kansas City businessman whose dream was to own a European style stone mansion (castle). In the early 1900s he bought 5,000 acres of land in a picturesque spot in rural Missouri. Robert McClure Snyder brought Scottish stonemasons to the US to supervise quarrying sandstone on his property and building his dream home. Construction began in 1905. In 1906 Mr. Snyder was killed in a car accident. The inside of the castle was not completed until his sons did so in 1922. On a cold day in October 1942 fire enveloped the home and the stables/garage just down the road. Today these ruins are in a Missouri state park by the name of Ha Ha Tonka, the name supposedly coming from an old Osage Indian phrase meaning "Laughing Waters".
Comments (23)
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
Richardphotos
I have been wanting to see the ruins but maybe next trip. interesting history behind it
blinkings
God what a story!
kenmo
Awesome ruins and quite a bit of history....
durleybeachbum
There is a moral in there somewhere !
Staticon
Love the shadows on the ruined walls. Excellent photograph. :-)
jendellas
Love these old ruins, could be anywhere over here!! X
CavalierLady
What a tragic history! The Fates did not want this castle to come to fruition it seems. Interesting shot and history, Bill.
auntietk Online Now!
What a great place! I was (and am) intrigued by those arches. Probably for the cellars. I can just imagine bins of potatoes and casks of wine down there. Nice shot!
MrsRatbag
What a beautiful view and capture! Sad history!
jocko500
sad story but bet it did look good finished. this is a very good shot of what is left
Faemike55
Fabulous capture and captivating story
goodoleboy
Great capture and interesting narrative. Those stark lighting effects make it a spooky scene, Bill.
RodS Online Now!
Very sad that Mr. Snyder never got to enjoy his castle. If I remember, they turned it into a hotel for a while before it burned. It must have been one heck of a fire to spread all the way to the water tower..... It's not like they're close together. This is an amazing place - a photographer's dream with the light and shadows - which you've done an exquisite job capturing, Bill! Dang - now I'm wanting to go back there - again! LOL
giulband
Superb picture !!
jayfar
Wonderful old ruins Bill and a great shot.
tennesseecowgirl
Nice work!
flavia49
wonderful
blondeblurr
I am with Jeff, I love old ruins, especially when they are made of Sandstone - one of my favourite construction materials ... and you gave it the fine touch of light and shade here, in equal measures, but what a sad ending to this beautiful castle, I would love to see it resurrected - but that's probably only a dream ? a precious and striking image, Bill BB
photosynthesis
A fantastic shot of these ruins. Texture, light, shadow, windows, niches, deep blue sky - all come together perfectly in this shot - it's a perfect composition. And the sad story adds an extra poignancy to it - ruins serve to remind us of the impermanence of life - that we humans & our creations are fleeting things... I don't keep track of birthdays, but it has come to my attention that today is yours (one day after my grandson's birthday), so I wish you the very happiest of birthdays, Bill!
debbielove
And now we know.. What a shame its now a ruin.. Still makes foe a super shot mate.. Well taken and great write up Rob
Buffalo1
Fine shot of something one wouldn't imagine in western Missouri.
moochagoo
Very good story and composition.