One Man's Dream

At the beginning of the 1900s, Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder visited the area, bought over 5,000 acres, and began construction of his dream, a magnificent European-style mansion or castle. Material for the mansion, including sandstone, walnut, and oak lumber, came from the area. A stone stable, an 80-foot water tower, and nine greenhouses were built to attend the main house. By 1906, one year after construction began, Snyder was killed in an automobile accident. The interior of the castle remained unfinished until his sons completed it in 1922. On Oct. 21, 1942, the castle and stable were destroyed by fire. In 1976, the water tower was damaged by fire. Today, the stark exterior stone walls of the castle, stable, and water tower are all that remain of his dream.

Missouri · United States