In 1905, Robert M. Snyder, a wealthy Kansas City businessman, brought in European Masons to build his dream castle.  Construction was halted a year later when Snyder was killed in one of the state’s first automobile accidents.

The castle was finally finished by his sons in 1922.  The property was eventually used as a hotel until 1942 when sparks from a chimney ignited the roof and fire gutted the castle and carriage house. 

The Ruins now sit bluff side, over a section of Lake of the Ozarks, inside the HA HA Tonka State Park.  You can still see the char marks on the remaining stonework.