Tom Sawyer Island report requested from someone there now

[Figment Mom]

Well, we all know by now that Tom Sawyer's Island and ROA close permanently in 10 days.

We are making a trip down to visit one more time and will be there on July 5th and 6th. We spend quite a bit of time on TSI on every visit, and our favorite part is Fort Langhorn.

A few days ago there was a post on Reddit with a photo showing the bridge to Fort Langhorn was closed. It was closed for a couple of days, reportedly due to bees, and I never heard if it reopened. There was some speculation that they wouldn't bother to reopen the fort since the whole island would be closing soon.

I really need to temper our expectations. I would love to hear from someone there now. If you went to TSI, can you report if Fort Langhorn was open at all this week?

(Reportedly the windmill and the little crooked bridge have also been closed.)

Thank you so much for any insight you can provide!

 

[OKW Lover]

I was at the MK on Monday (23rd) and rode the Steamboat around the island. Didn't notice any closures that could be seen from the boat. I did see people crossing the barrel bridge. Is that the one you're asking about?

 

[HopperFan]

Barrel bridge was closed a few weeks ago when we went. Mill wasn't running. Everything else seemed mostly open. We said our farewells, the tunnels are my favorite. Took lots of pictures.

The demolition permits got filed this week so they are ready to go to work on it.

They could slowly close things or just leave it as is, won't know until you get there ... but you might find the island a bit crowded those last couple days.

 

[Figment Mom]

I was at the MK on Monday (23rd) and rode the Steamboat around the island. Didn't notice any closures that could be seen from the boat. I did see people crossing the barrel bridge. Is that the one you're asking about?

No, not the barrel bridge. The bridge from the main part of the island over to the fort.

Barrel bridge was closed a few weeks ago when we went. Mill wasn't running. Everything else seemed mostly open. We said our farewells, the tunnels are my favorite. Took lots of pictures.

The demolition permits got filed this week so they are ready to go to work on it.

They could slowly close things or just leave it as is, won't know until you get there ... but you might find the island a bit crowded those last couple days.

Oh, I expect it to be crowded. We're prepared to wait for a raft and to ride the Liberty Belle. The timing is lousy but I'm glad we're going to make it. Our trip was later in July but I moved it up so we can at least try. Core childhood memories for me and for my kids.

Yeah, I know they are ready to tear it down, but if it isn't closing until the 6th, it'd be really lousy if they close half of the island early.
I realize we have no control, though. That's why I'm trying to find out if they reopened the fort. I'd rather know ahead of time if possible than show up and be disappointed. It was closed at least 3 days in a row but I never heard if it reopened.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I was there on the 19th. Fort Langhorn was open and so was barrel bridge but Injun Joe’s cave was closed.

 

[Figment Mom]

I was there on the 19th. Fort Langhorn was open and so was barrel bridge but Injun Joe’s cave was closed.

Thanks. It seems to be the afternoon of the 20th that the fort was first reported closed. And people who visited on the 21st and 22nd confirmed that it was still closed.