Your email address will not be published. -- Tahoe's Hidden Castle. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . Your Scrapbook is currently empty. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The castle was commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928, as her summer home in an area that reminded her of Scandinavian fjords. Learn more about managing a memorial . Vikingsholm was designed by Lennart Palme in 1928 as the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight, with construction completed in 1929. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. One could and still can only get to the island by boat, kayaks or canoes. Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. In summer months, you can tour the castle to discover what led the original owner, Lora Josephine Knight, in 1928 to make her summer home an ode to Scandinavian architecture, down to the sod roofs and six fireplaces. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. In 1884, Lora gave birth to their only child, a son Nathaniel, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo banking dynasty founded in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. In 1884, Lora gave birth to their only child, a son Nathaniel, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo banking dynasty founded in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. Lora Josephine Knight's 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. [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. The late owner, Lora Josephine Knight also commissioned the building of tea house in Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe's only island. 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. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. [1][2][5][6] Lindbergh even stayed at the Knight's house the night before his flight. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. What Makes It Unique: In the late 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased land on Emerald Bay. Her father Edward A. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. [1][2], She and James Moore bought land at Carnelian Bay in Lake Tahoe in 1914 to build a large home known as Wychwood, as well getting another retreat on Lake Geneva. Afternoon Hike in D.L. 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. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . 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. Mrs. Knight had Vikingsholm built for her as a summer home in 1929. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. If Lake Tahoe was tipped upside-down . Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. based on information from your browser. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? In a fjord-like setting at Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay State Park, the 38-room Vikingsholm castle is a rare masterpiece of Scandinavian architecture. Specifically: Private Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110560461/lora-josephine-knight. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Knight, a prominent philanthropist and backer of Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 transatlantic flight, was inspired by her frequent European travels . Impressed by her architect nephew Lennart Palme's Nordic-inspired home in New York, Mrs. Knight travelled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and . The only island on Lake Tahoe, Fannette island hosts a small stone structure that was once the tea house of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, the owner of Vikingsholm. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. Lora Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect whom she was related to by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Edge Country Club as well as stunning views of Smith Mountain Lake and the spectacular golf course, which sits like an emerald surrounded by the blue waters of the lake and lush mountain scenery. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. Her "Castle in the Sky" features intricate . Subscribe and Download now! Please try again later. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. [2], In 1922, she married stockbroker Harry French Knight of St. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. Lora Josephine Knight wasn't Scandinavian herself, however; she was born as Lora Josephine Small in Illinois in 1864, and her family claimed English descent. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. They built the mansion using construction methods from as far back as the 11th century. 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.. Nearby Fannette Island, the only island in the lake, has the remains of Knight's "Tea House" perched atop its craggy peak and is a popular spot for picnics and parties. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. [4], Knight sold her Wychwood home to San Francisco businessman Robert Stanley Dollar Sr.[1] In the summer of summer of 1929, Knight built Vikingsholm, the house she is most known for, buying the 240 acres of land in Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe from William Henry Armstrong, who she knew through her church, for $250,000. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean. This browser does not support getting your location. This is a carousel. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. For more information see the California Parks Website. For a birthday present, his father wrote him a check for $100,000. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. McLaughlin says the replicas were so exact, Knight even had the ages of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. Built in the late 1920s from owner's Lora Josephine Knight's inspiring Norwegian travels Vikingsholm was constructed from local granite and hand-hewn timbers. Today, Vikingsholm welcomes tourists from across the planet. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. Rocks in Water - California's Gold (803) We're talking about rocks in the water! Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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. Knight loved Tahoe, and for 16 years she enjoyed her summers at Wychwood, hosting friends and family members, but in 1928, she sold her beloved lakeside Shangri-La to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr., a wealthy San Francisco businessman. She was a major promoter and financial backer of Charles Lindbergh's flight across the Atlantic in the Spirit of St. Louis; and donated to a number of other causes and funded various building projects including her own summer retreat Vikingsholm, for which she is most known. In a fjord-like setting at Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay State Park, the 38-room Vikingsholm castle is a rare masterpiece of Scandinavian architecture. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. . She writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. In early 1916 they bought a home near Santa Barbara hoping that the mild Mediterranean climate might improve his condition, but he died on July 20, 1916, leaving Lora an estate worth $15 million. In 1928, Mrs. Knight had her mind firmly set on Emerald Bay to build her "castle of the sky." She gave the family who owned the land an offer they . She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. They agreed to be major supporters. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. He too had development plans that never materialized and in 1953 donated the . Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. There is a problem with your email/password. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. The castle was built in 1929 and commissioned by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who drew similarities between Lake Tahoe and the fjords of Scandinavia. [4][10], "The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America", "The mysterious castle in Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay", "The History of Lora Knight and Her Vikingsholm", "Vikingsholm: A Brief History (Nordic Castle at Emerald Bay)", "The mysteries and stories of the Harry F. Knight House", "LORA J. KNIGHT; Former Wife of Stock Broker, Financed Lindbergh Flight", "GETS DIVORCE IN RENO COURT California Digital Newspaper Collection", "Clipping from Reno Gazette-Journal - Newspapers.com", "Historic Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay always in need of attention, support", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lora_Josephine_Knight&oldid=1101022867, This page was last edited on 28 July 2022, at 22:31. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. He too had development plans that never materialized and in 1953 donated the land and buildings to the State of California for compensation of half the properties value ($125,000). Weather and vandalism have left the Tea House in a miserable condition. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Learn more about merges. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. . Verify and try again. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. She hired architect Myron Hunt, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Lora Josephine Knight's 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. 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. As soon as the snow melted in spring 1929, some 200 craftsmen arrived to build Vikingsholm. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Armstrong's land was purchased by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928 at a sum of $250,000 with the intent of creating a grand summer home residence that would reflect the area's natural beauty. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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. Experienced and knowledgeable guides take you on a 30-minute touryou'll learn about owner Lora Josephine Knight, who thought that Emerald Bay resembled the fjords. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. She filled the house with original Scandinavian antiques and replicas she commissioned from artisans. Harry and Lora were divorced in 1928 and Lora Knight sold her Lakefront estate in Chinquapin to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr., a wealthy San Francisco businessman. Failed to report flower. 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. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Try again. In the 1950's after Lora Josephine Knight died, the castle was sold to Harvey West, which is a name you probably recognize if you've spent some time around Lake Tahoe. Vikingsholm Castle . There was a problem getting your 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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Thanks for your help! She married James Hobart Moore, who she met while he worked with her father in his law practice, and who along with his brother became rich by gaining controlling interests in a large number of companies such as the Diamond Match Company, U.S. Steel, Union Pacific, and Nabisco. Lindbergh approached the Knights about helping fund his effort to be the first to fly nonstop across the Atlantic at a St. Louis airfield where Harry, an aspiring aviator, was taking flying lessons. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Read More. This teahouse was used by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who also owned the famous Vikingsholm mansion. She loved Scandinavian architecture and Emerald Bay reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Visitors, like Conn, sometimes leave . There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the
Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. 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. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. He had planned to make the area into a development for Hollywood elite, but the plan never materialized and he sold the property to Harvey West. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. (So next time you visit Vikingsholm for a picnic, consider bringing some Ritz Crackers or perhaps Oreos.). His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Try again later. She then had 200 workers build Vikingsholm. Helen Smith was a frequent guest. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. . Louis. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. The house had modern fixtures, electricity, and each bedroom had a private bath. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. There was an error deleting this problem. 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. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? After a few sales, in 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. In early 1916 they bought a home near Santa Barbara hoping that the mild Mediterranean climate might improve his condition, but he died on July 20, 1916, leaving Lora an estate worth $15 million. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William.
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