Ha Ha Tonka Castle Restoration Could Begin In 2019, But Will Fence Ever Be Removed?

Work on the Ha Ha Tonka Castle restoration could begin next summer, according to state park personnel.

The famous castle is one of the Lake of the Ozarks area's most popular attractions. Construction began in 1905 by Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder, Sr., and the sprawling castle grounds were developed over the subsequent decades. But the castle was destroyed by fire in 1942, leaving only the stone edifice. The state of Missouri purchased the castle and grounds in 1978 and since then the castle has become a huge draw for visitors and locals alike. People enjoyed feeling the stones and posing for photos against the castle's unique façade. In fact, Ha Ha Tonka State Park ranked #4 in the nation, in a USA Today/10Best poll of the country's best state parks.

But in June of 2017, a barrier was suddenly erected around the castle, with a sign warning of the "unstable structure" and prohibiting anyone from getting close to the castle walls.

Ryan King, Natural Resource Manager at Ha Ha Tonka, says plans are still being developed for how to shore up the structure so the public can enjoy it up close again. The hope, he said, is that the barrier can someday be removed; but it's still not clear whether a restoration can truly make the castle sturdy enough.

Ha Ha Tonka Castle — Evan Lampe - FunLake.com

"That design process is taking a little longer than we had anticipated," King said. He explained, "There’s not a lot of companies in the United States that do that type of work."

While questions about the castle may be the most common of the night, Ha Ha Tonka State Park staff will be on hand to chat with the public about the park, at the Ha Ha Tonka Lake/Spring Shelter this Friday, Oct. 5, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will give the public the chance to talk with park personnel, and a presentation afterwards will highlight little-known features of the park.

These informational meetings are being held in all state parks and historic sites in Missouri. The meetings give staff the opportunity to let people know the current status and future plans for the park or historic site, and they offer visitors the opportunity to comment on the facilities.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park is located at 1491 State Road D, Camdenton. For more information about the meeting, call the park at 573-346-2986.