[1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Mosquito Fire in Tahoe National Forest balloons to 5,000 acres, Burning Man aftermath leaves mounds of trash in Tahoe area, 'Don't be a hero': The bomb that nearly destroyed a Tahoe resort. From there they strolled back down to Vikingsholm.. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Bay at Lake Tahoe, this magnificent "castle" is a unique blend While you can now scuba dive to explore sunken boats and wrecks, there is still a lot of mystery of what lies deep below the surface in Lake Tahoe, many of which are only rumors, including dramatic spottings of a Loch Ness Monster-style creature. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the border of California and Nevada, the water is extremely cold and impossible to explore its deepest caverns, contributing to the many expeditions that have taken place to unveil the mysteries and legends of the Lake. 9 Mar 1997 26 Oct 2021 California's Gold. Theres A Breathtaking Castle Nestled In The Mountains Of Northern California. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. Small. For a birthday present, his father wrote him a check for $100,000. Lora Josephine Knights legacy is enshrined in the magnificent Scandinavian castle Vikingsholm that she had built at Emerald Bay in 1929, but her first property at Tahoe was actually located at Chinquapin, a sheltered cove just east of Dollar Point in Carnelian Bay. During these months of 1929, the timbers were hand hewn, the exterior wall boards were planed, intricate wood carvings were executed, and metal fixtures, such as fireplace screens, hinges and latches, were hand forged. Lora then purchased about 240 acres of land at the head of Emerald Bay, as well as Fannette Island, from the William Henry Armstrong family for $250,000. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. According to McLaughlin, Lora Knight was known for her hospitality and philanthropy. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Before starting construction of the summer home late that year, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the construction of the house. Read More. The coroner said the cause of death was heart disease, but the night before, Nathaniel was up late at a brothel and had been drinking. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. Her parents were good friends with Knight, and Smith spent 14 summers visiting Vikingsholm as a child. Birth. Lora Josephine Knight (1 May 1864 - 26 June 1945) was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Inside, Knight decorated and furnished with antiques she purchased and shipped from Scandinavia. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Sometimes government officials did not allow these native heirlooms removed from the country, so Knight had craftsmen reproduce them in exact detail, including the aging of the wood and even mimicking scratches on the originals. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. [2] Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Welcome! Search for: Browse by Date This way of life seemed to compliment the serenity and exquisite beauty of the Emerald Bay setting. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Check out their video of the exploration below. Each day blended into the next, relaxed and unhurried, Smith told the Press Democrat, and began with the sound of swishing sprinklers set up by yardmen in the early morning hours to water the wildflowers that grew in the grasses on the bay side of the house.. During the day guests enjoyed swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and trips around the lake, by boat or car, planned by Mrs. Knight. Nathan Moore apparently knew how to have a good time, dying at the age of 25 of natural causes after spending the previous night at Chicagos most famous and expensive house of prostitution. Death. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the Armstrongs land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Sometimes government officials did not allow these native heirlooms removed from the country, so Knight had craftsmen reproduce them in exact detail, including the aging of the wood and even mimicking scratches on the originals. Through church affiliations Mrs. Knight had become acquainted with the William Henry Armstrong family, who owned 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay. Nathan was an avid golfer and a participating member of the American Olympic team that won the gold medal at the 1904 Summer Games in Missouri.
Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Vikingsholm is said to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere, according to California State Parks, which manages the land today. of nature's spectacular beauty and man's architectural ingenuity. He subsequently sold it to Harvey West, a lumberman from Placerville, California. In 1873, engineer Alexis Von Schmidt recommended the site for the proposed James Lick Astronomical Observatory that would house the worlds most powerful space telescope. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. I've heard stories about the wealthy woman who built the teahouse on the island. Because of her admiration of Palmes home and the fjord-like location of Emerald Bay, she decided to have her summer home built in a Scandinavian design. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. WebLora Josephine Knight (1 May 1864 - 26 June 1945) was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. Despite the expense and effort, the tea house was rarely used, even though Lora spent all her summers at Vikingsholm until her death in 1945. Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA.
They agreed to be major supporters. We hope that you enjoy our free content. This is a carousel. Eight years before her marriage to Harry Knight, Mrs. Josephine Moore purchased the land at Chinquapin from descendants of Lake Tahoe timber baron Duane L. Bliss. James Lick, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, first struck it rich in the California Gold Rush and then parlayed his luck into a fortune by investing in San Franciscos booming real estate market. She and Mr. Knight actively promoted Charles Lindberghs flight across the Atlantic and were the prime financial backers of that flight. Knight had derived design ideas from 11th century wooden churches in Norway and carvings from these ancient church entrances were incorporated into many Vikingsholm door entries. Lora was the only heir to his estate, which was rumored at the time to be worth as much as $100 million (though Lora told the San Francisco Chronicle in 1921 that it was "nearer one-tenth that sum"). They also traveled extensively, making many trips to California as well as abroad. When Mrs. Knight purchased the land at Emerald Bay, where Vikingsholm would be located, she was not a newcomer to the Tahoe area. WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Put Your Toes In The Perfect Beige Sand At Omans Jumeirah Muscat Bay, Amsterdams Tourist Campaign Asks Certain Visitors Not To Come, Amsterdams Schiphol Airport Says Private Jets No Longer Welcome, Travel Restrictions Update For April 2023, Lily Of The Valley In South Of France Offers Spectacular Mediterranean Settings, Unique Maple Syrup Experiences Abound Throughout The Adirondacks, Kevin Costner Speaks On His Passion For Hunting At Dallas Event, Get A Southwest Companion Pass With This New Promotion. Everyone gathered in the dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. This property was later sold to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr. and is now known as Dollar Point. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. You may opt-out by. Although their marriage was short-lived, Lora and Harry Knight were among the small group of St. Louis, Missouri, businessmen who were the principal financial backers of Charles Lindberghs famed 1927 flight across the Atlantic from New York to Paris. Her father, Edward Small, was a corporate lawyer who took on two brothers as partners in his law practice William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore. They visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Wisconsin Lake Geneva In the summer, when guests would visit her at her castle on the shore of Emerald Bay, called Vikingsholm, the butler would row her and her friends across the bay to the island for tea time. In the early 1950s, Mr. West, a noted philanthropist, negotiated with the State of California and said he would donate one-half of the appraised value of the land and the Vikingsholm outright, if the State would pay him the other half of the land value. She had inherited a fortune from her first husband. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Lora Josephine Knights legacy is enshrined in the magnificent Scandinavian castle Vikingsholm that she had built at Emerald Bay in 1929, but her first property at Tahoe was actually located at Chinquapin, a sheltered cove just east of Dollar Point in Carnelian Bay. During the height of its popularity in the 20's and 30's, a fabulous Nordic castle was built called Vikingsholm. These terms were agreed upon, and in 1953 the house and property were acquired the the state. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. In the 1880s Lora married James and her sister, Ada, married William. Thank you for reading! In order to preserve the natural environment of Emerald Bay, Knight insisted that local Tahoe materials be used with the exception of the leaded windows with pastel stained-glass panes imported from Sweden. Loras Knights Wychwood Estate dining room overlooked Lake Tahoe. Mrs. Knight (right) with Lennart Palme and family. Gracious hospitality was extended at all times to guests. Mrs. Knight enjoyed entertaining and had a number of guests visiting during the summer months. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. This marriage was not successful and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. Knight had derived design ideas from 11th century wooden churches in Norway and carvings from these ancient church entrances were incorporated into many Vikingsholm door entries. Mrs. Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect and her nephew by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. As a child, we heard countless rumors from fishermen about floating bodies perfectly preserved from the cold that would float to the surface when the water would warm up, as well as the numerous sightings of a Loch Ness monster-style creature. The exceptional summer home was enjoyed by Mrs. Knight and her guests, for 15 gratifying summers, until Mrs. Knights death at the age of 82 in 1945. EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 edition of Tahoe Magazine. A caretaker and his family lived on the property year around and four or five yardmen were hired locally each season to care for the grounds. Small. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours through the end of September. Now part of Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm was once the summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Ben Holiday, stagecoach magnate and early-day transportation king, constructed a home there in the late 1860s. Tea was served in the afternoon on the terrace or in the library, and occasionally at the tea house on the island. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. Her father, Edward Small, was a corporate lawyer who took on two brothers as partners in his law practice William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore. James Lick, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, first struck it rich in the California Gold Rush and then parlayed his luck into a fortune by investing in San Franciscos booming real estate market. Fortunately many of Mrs. Knights original furnishings remain in the home today. Many antiques were purchased abroad for the home. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. Hopefully, someday we will have more absolute proof of what is actually at the bottom of Lake Tahoe but until then our imaginations can run wild with dreams of further explorations and discoveries. Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlinis a nationally published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine. First, Huell . [1][2][5][6] Lindbergh even stayed at the Knight's house the night before his flight. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Sometimes government officials did not allow these native heirlooms removed from the country, so Knight had craftsmen reproduce them in exact detail, including the aging of the wood and even mimicking scratches on the originals. The body was well preserved due to the cold temperatures of the water. A visitor's center adjacent to the main building is available for further information and the sale of tour tickets and other items. Vikingsholm in 1932, soon after construction. 9 Mar 1997 26 Oct 2021 California's Gold. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year.
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Lennart Palme said: The problem of placing Vikingsholm without disturbing the trees was perhaps the trickiest I have had to solve either abroad or in these United States.. Now part of Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm was once the summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Many communities were interested in Licks $2 million estate and several protested the Tahoe location insisting that they were better suited for an observatory than the snowbound lake. WebLora Josephine. Her father, Edward Small, was a corporate lawyer who took on two brothers as partners in his law practice William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Lora Knight traveled to Scandinavia to buy furnishings for her Castle in the Sky. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. The sibling entrepreneurs eventually amassed quite a fortune with controlling interest in a number of large American corporations such as the Diamond Match Company, U.S. Steel and National Biscuit (Nabisco), the maker of Oreo cookies. Birth. Meals were sumptuous and occupied a good part of each day. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. Whether its delightful dining options, fun things to do or amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, we have you covered. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. They were inspired by viewing many ancient building such as wooden churches and homes in Norway and stone castles in Sweden. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. With the advent of new advanced submarines and underwater exploration teams, members of the Undersea Voyager Project have now made 58 submarine trips and 33 scuba dives below the waters of Lake Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake. In 1873, engineer Alexis Von Schmidt recommended the site for the proposed James Lick Astronomical Observatory that would house the worlds most powerful space telescope. First, Huell . Construction on the castle began in the spring of 1929 and proceeded quickly as 200 workmen and artisans, housed in temporary barracks, quarried nearby stone and cut lumber. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm.