B0FF0's Blog: Monte Ne

B0FF0's Blog: Monte Ne

Monte Ne

 So, in short, this old duffer made himself a big resort, kind of 'went under' so to speak, and now after Beaver Lake was created in the late 1960s, the vandalized and decaying ruins are literally under water most of the time. No wonder there are so many lake divers here! There are many old photos and lots of good internet reading about this place, so I won't bore you with its amazing history.

Today we went on an adventure to see Monte Ne, an old resort from the early 1900s that is now almost either demolished or underwater. The main feature is the tower, which was once guest rooms, all with fireplaces in them. A log structure was attached to the tower connected by a stairway, and this was named Oklahoma Row. The log building is on the highway now, having been moved a long time ago. Here are a couple of historic photos showing the town of Monte Ne and how the log building was once connected to the tower.
KEEP IN MIND IF YOU CLICK ON A PICTURE IT WILL GET BIGGER, AND IF YOU CLICK ON IT AGAIN, IT WILL GET EVEN BIGGER STILL!!!!!

I think the Xs mean those structures are gone.

This shows where Oklahoma Row joined onto the tower. There was a stairway to the left of the double windows. The stairway from the 2nd floor to the top floor is inside.

Here is the log building that was Oklahoma Row as it is today.

As seen in its entirety in condensed form via Google Earth.

We pulled into a small dirt parking spot and from the moment I stepped out of the car, I was in camera heaven!

Before walking to the tower, down on the right is a drop off to the water, and down there is a row of awesomeness... these must have been changing rooms, restrooms, and maybe the community room (because there is a fireplace)  where games of bridge were played and other gatherings of the resort guests on vacation...
It was down here I started finding thick pieces of old glass and some decorative looking ceramic trim. I was surprised there is anything there to find, as it is pretty well combed by treasure hunters with metal detectors. We found pieces of old brick and lots of colored lake glass bits worn smooth by time and the water, Scott found a cool little  bottle and a half of a really old horseshoe!

This is usually underwater. They must have been restrooms and changing rooms, there were once gondolas and paddleboats.

                                           

Old pipe. This was obviously a bathroom.

                                           

Too bad about all the graffiti. Really.

Weird curved ceiling with iron beams.

Doorway into fireplace room.

Satan needs to fix his roof.

More evidence that points to this once being a bathroom.

Spectacular archways make me happy!

Mushroom Magic!

Making our way to the tower. This old slab was part of what was the Oklahoma Row of guest rooms. That log building above went here!

An old flower shaped hole, maybe for a fancy lamp post.

More foundation.

Shows where the stairs were. Now there are no stairs to the second floor. There are stairs from the second to the third floor inside I think. I don't know first hand.

"DON'T VANDALIZE"

Stupid Gang Wanna Bes

I really dig these crazy ceilings.

In an old diary a young woman mentioned staying in one of the first floor rooms of the tower, that's HERE!

http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow50308.htm
IF IT DOESN'T APPEAR, MOVE YOUR MOUSE AROUND TO FIND THE LINK
 CLICKETY CLICK CLICK TO SEE HISTORIC DIARY

Graffiti Madness

This is underneath the tower!!!

This is the square building shown in the old photo of the bridge. Looks like it was bathrooms.

Here's the lake but I had no idea where the amphitheater was. It is completely underwater so we couldn't see it.

The amphitheater was supposed to be the 'foyer' for Coin Harvey's pyramid that never got built. The pyramid was to contain a 'time capsule' complete with cars and things to help civilization rebuild itself after the big collapse of the world as we know it. He thought. There could actually be hidden rooms full of stuff underground, which could be why people go metal detecting around here.

Old pipes still running towards the old town that really isn't there any more.

Random pokers randomly poking about.

Old Wall. Scott's theory is that this was the old Bank building. I had thought it was where Missouri Row was but he is probably right. Hmm, weird cloud!

Four sided fireplace. I can't imagine what the room or rooms that this went to were like. It IS rather elaborate for a log cabin structure like Missouri Row, so this maybe was the Bank.

Ruined ruins

OMG I can't believe I am HERE taking THIS PICTURE!!!

I have to wonder though, if that wall was a foundation, why was the floor not elevated? These fireplaces are right down on the ground.

So was this the foundation of the bank building and that was an opening where a door was?

Anybody know?

Something concrete and mysterious.

Another Old Wall. A fisherman told us this is where the amphitheater is. I just can't see this wall in any of the pictures of the amphitheater though.

Coin Harvey's Tomb.  Really. This is in somebody's yard.

Old old road. NOT! It must be where the Missouri Row building stood.

Here's one of at least two lost bridges. This photo shows the square building (restrooms) still standing next to the tower.

Pieces of porcelain toilet.

I love the round windows on top.

I betcha this little old house is in the old photo of the town, without an X!

People at Monte Ne in its heyday. Looks about 1910 when it was new.