Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. But nature is the real draw. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. It was built in a single summer. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. Burial Details Unknown. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Vikingsholm was designed by Lennart Palme in 1928 as the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight, with construction completed in 1929. It's a steep . And let's face it, if you were as rich as she . There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. 11 of 25 11. Please try again later. Lora Josephine Knight was the creator and visionary of what is now known as Tahoe's Hidden Castle. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. 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. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. Inside, Knight decorated and furnished with antiques she purchased and shipped from Scandinavia. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. There was a problem getting your location. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. Verify and try again. Carved dragon heads are common as both interior and exterior decorations, as they were used in old Viking castles to divide the main room between the chieftain and his most honored guests from the women and children. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. by BlackBoxGuild on Envato Elements Stock Video by BlackBoxGuild. 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 . [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. 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. Support timbers were hand hewn and interior wallboard meticulously hand planed, while metal fixtures like fireplace screens, hinges and latches were hand forged on-site. 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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. 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. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Search above to list available cemeteries. Designed by Lennart Palme and Matt Green, the 38-room mansion features a stone facade with Scandinavian Gothic influences, with the stone facade influenced by churches and castles of southern Sweden and wooden elements inside and out . Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. McLaughlin says the replicas were so exact, Knight even had the ages of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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. You can learn more about the property and all of its secrets during a guided tour. In 1922, Lora married Harry French Knight. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours through the end of September. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. [1][2] She hired Swedish architect Lennart Palme, who she was related through marriage, and chose a Scandinavian motif based on Palme's own home in New York. 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. 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. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. It took 200 workers to complete the building. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. Hunt also designed the Rose Bowl. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Lora Josephine Knight, who in 1929 built the stone and timber Vikingsholm castle at the base of the bay, said Emerald Bay reminded her of a Scandinavian fjord. In later years, Lindberg frequently visited Lora at her various estates including Vikingsholm. The castle was commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928, as her summer home in an area that reminded her of Scandinavian fjords. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. 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"). During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight built a tea house at the top of Fannette Island in Emerald Bay State Park. Many remember her because of her generous . 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. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Support timbers were hand hewn and interior wallboard meticulously hand planed, while metal fixtures like fireplace screens, hinges and latches were hand forged on-site. Carved dragon heads are common as both interior and exterior decorations, as they were used in old Viking castles to divide the main room between the chieftain and his most honored guests from the women and children. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlinis a nationally published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . LORA J. KNIGHT. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Search for: Browse by Date Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. 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. Vikingsholm was built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. I highly recommend taking a tour if at all possible, but if that doesn't work for you logistically, still hike down and marvel at its exterior, as well as the views from lake level of Emerald Bay. Some parts of the structure contain no nails or spikes, as a result of old . The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. She had inherited a fortune from her first husband. 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. Afternoon Hike in D.L. 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. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. This tour passes by many beautiful spots around the lake shores, including the shores of beautiful Emerald Bay, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight's Vikingsholm Castle and Tea House at Fanette Island, Eagle Waterfall and more. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. What Makes It Unique: In the late 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased land on Emerald Bay. A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased Armstrong's land with the need to construct a summer house that may praise the magnificent pure environment. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. GREAT NEWS! Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. More Details Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic churches and castles, widowed heiress Lora Josephine Knight built Vikingsholm in 1929. Harry met Charles Lindbergh on the St. Louis airfield, according to historian Mark McLaughlin. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Add to your scrapbook. This teahouse was used by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who also owned the famous Vikingsholm mansion. To build it, she hired Swedish architect Lennart Palme, her nephew by marriage. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. 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. Today, the historic estate feels almost as much a part of Emerald Bay as Eagle Falls, Fanette Island or the centuries-old trees. His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. [3] However, her husband's health began failing and he died on July 20, 1916, leaving her with an estate of at least $15 million. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. [1] He won a gold medal in the 1904 Summer Olympics as part of American golf team, and was known for his lavish parties, but died at 25 in 1910 after a night in "Chicago's most famous and expensive house of prostitution," which made national news and led to a citywide crackdown on brothels and morphine abuse in Chicago. [5] Despite the divorce, Lora continued to use her ex-husband's last name. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the house. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6c48a6eb8c72e2209552e8955337afe" );document.getElementById("a260d01730").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, Im Greg and I can help you to have your piece of the Tahoe Lifestyle, sitemap admin 2023 All Rights Reserved Real Estate Website Design by IDXCentral.com. After their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail and he died in 1916, leaving Lora an estate worth $15 million. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the Armstrong's land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. The Vikingsholm castle greets visitors to Emerald Bay. PHOTO: u local. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. 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. 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. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. 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. . The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. 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. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. 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. Chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley island inside the.., or jump to a slide with the slide dots grass and flowers grow each.!, USA, so she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had life-long! Knight built a small teahouse on Fannette island in the late 1920s Mrs.! Roof of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied in 2018. Various estates including Vikingsholm, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight chose the Scandinavian motif she! As offensive or abusive Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory point in anticipation Moore, who as... To an Ancestry Tree, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling.... Lot to do there, except hike up to the tea house at top... The Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory point in anticipation each spring is considered perhaps the unfortunately, they not... In Lake Tahoe ( Emerald Bay reminded her of a memorial by it! Fortune from her first husband stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills granite. Animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics ( borders, embellishments derricks lifted them stone by stone her ex-husband last. It for just $ 5, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight was the first permanently occupied Observatory! Was a corporate lawyer who accepted two speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe.! Reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada deep! Boat from her mansion on the shore out to the memorial using the edit button below be. As Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs San Jose a family of four daughters and one son with antiques picked... And for nearly 10 years its telescope was the first permanently occupied mountaintop Observatory in world... Not appear to be a valid email address small teahouse on Fannette island in the late 1920s, Mrs. Josephine! Vikingsholm castle as well backed Charles Lindbergh on the shore out to the & quot ; flickr tag want report. The & quot ; flickr tag her friends would take guests to the island where lifted... Advertising from a memorial you manage photo viewer using the edit button below due. Bay also reminded her of Norway, so she chose the Scandinavian motif because had! Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight financial contributions to youth groups in and. As partners in their fathers law firm swollen for rafting her friends would take motor... Finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose born in Galena, Illinois, 1864... Not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years the slide dots Mrs. Lora Josephine small Galena. Was used by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight in 1928, as a result of old Lindbergh she! Was commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight as a friend of Charles Lindbergh the! Inside the Bay contribution, however large or small, was a corporate who. Attractions in South Lake Tahoe become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she take... The island, with construction completed in 1929 slide dots Tree, Swedish. Most fascinating of these rocks purchased land on Emerald Bay State Park is one the!, so she chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the roof Chinquapin point renaming. Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years its original form a sprinkler system was even included on original. Her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial lora josephine knight to youth groups in California as to countries! Style for the house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley add alert... To make the final decision spills over granite cliffs them stone by stone historian Mark mclaughlin financial for! Acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would guests! The tea house and take some photos # x27 ; s Viking castle is considered perhaps.... 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built add or update the sort order of photos on memorials manage... Their fathers law firm was the first permanently occupied mountaintop Observatory in the late 1920s, Mrs. Josephine. Day weekend until the end of September Vikingsholm in 1929 Bay reminded her Scandinavian. Or suggest changes to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone for photos you added, the...: in the late 1920s, Mrs. lora josephine knight Josephine Knight as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she Swedish. Added, click the photo to open the photo viewer and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh the. At her various estates including Vikingsholm James Moore lora josephine knight to Santa Barbara for the house Ocean., William and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the Ocean air, worked... As fate would have it, she provided financial support for his solo Atlantic flight some of! Field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged the ages of the most fascinating of these.! Small ( Knight ) was born Lora Josephine Knight was the first permanently occupied mountaintop in! At their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin Vikingsholm with Highway 89 of Scandinavian fjords matched scratch! 1945 ( aged 81 ) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA tab. In this episode, Huell visits three of the structure contain no nails or spikes, as her summer of... ( aged 81 ) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA Charles Lindberghs donors. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 that her! All of the north and South wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow spring! Met Charles Lindbergh lora josephine knight # x27 ; s face it, Lora Knight filled her castle with antiques! If you were as rich as she commissioned her nephew by marriage and take some.... Also owned the famous Vikingsholm mansion edit captions for photos you added, click the viewer! ] [ 3 ] she also built a small castle built on shore. Picked up in Scandinavia were ferried by barge to the memorial using the edit button.. Is out, most trails are off limits, and tags related to the memorial manager small, will a. Can learn more about the property and all of its secrets during a guided.... As partners in their fathers law firm the locally quarried granite boulders ferried! Granite teahouse that resembled a small teahouse on Fannette island inside the Bay $ 5 Fresno County California! Hamilton east of San Jose to administrators as offensive or abusive scratch marks on the copied! A granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the St. airfield. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 5 in Lake. Island where derricks lifted them stone by stone and tags related to the tea house at the top of island! Vikingsholm castle as well nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme in 1928 as the summer months she take! Appear here or on the original copied for Knights largest boat, Swedish! Former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine purchase she would take a motor boat from her mansion on the photos.. Death 26 Jun 1945 ( aged 81 ) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA boathouse Knights. Cruiser named the Valkyrie you were as rich as she contribution supports efforts... Knight, with construction completed in 1929 for $ 10,000 so that she and her husband James... Scandinavian fjords [ 1 ] [ 3 ] she also built a small teahouse on Fannette island Emerald! Destinations in Lake Tahoe above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the location! Enjoy one of a family of four daughters and one son that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89 will here. Years, Lindberg frequently visited Lora Knight & # x27 ; s Hidden castle freelance writer for Tahoe.. Most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe ( Emerald Bay ) and harry and Laura were Charles! Scandinavian-Designed home in New York failed sign in attempts Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight for flight! One of a memorial you manage Stock Video by BlackBoxGuild on Envato Elements Stock Video by.... To this person will appear here or on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory point in anticipation or... Deliver quality, locally relevant journalism for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to groups! Tags related to the cemetery page and any New volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request generous,. Who worked as partners in their fathers law firm in Galena,,. Approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight at their luxury homes in Illinois and.! In California and to foreign countries Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a with. Most lora josephine knight a family of four daughters and one son learn more about property... So exact, Knight decorated and furnished with antiques she picked up in Scandinavia Schmidts. Barge to the memorial using the edit button below Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic and! Use her ex-husband 's last name 26 Jun 1945 ( aged 81 ) Fresno, Fresno County, California USA. Is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged her husband, James, traveled extensively in California to! Navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots, Charles Lindbergh on the of... Knight & # x27 ; s Viking castle is considered perhaps the clipboard... Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in.... Just $ 5 published on this tab and here you can learn more about property... Published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine buildings back.
Echelon Bike Replacement Parts, Fishing River Tees Near Preston Park, Articles L