Please reset your password. She then purchased 240 acres of land at the head of Emerald Bay, as well as Fannette Island, from the William Henry Armstrong family for $250,000. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. In Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. Get into more larger-than-life Lake Tahoe history on a tour of Vikingsholm Castle, the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight, a wealthy heiress and widow who used her fortune to build a 38-room Scandinavian-style mansion on Emerald Bay, which reminded her of the fjords she'd seen on trips to Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. 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. . Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. 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. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. 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. Learn more about merges. She had inherited a fortune from her first husband. Required fields are marked *. Whether its delightful dining options, fun things to do or amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, we have you covered. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. She writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. She's best remembered today for building Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle along the shores of Lake Tahoe, as a summer home in 1928. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. Resend Activation Email. Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. . Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. 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. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. He was 25. 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. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. Tahoe has a handful of historic mansions along its shoreline that date back to the late 1800s and first quarter of the 20th century. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. . In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. Subscribe and Download now! Specifically: Private Memorial Memorial ID 110560461 . Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. 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. "A woman ahead of her time, who was remarkable: Forward thinking, generous, and resourceful. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. . Learn more about managing a memorial . Read More. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. The property passed through two more landowners before California State Parks bought 177 acres, including the island and the structures, in 1953 for $150,000. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Download Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight's Tea House on Fannett Island in Emerald Bay State Park. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. ). Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. The estate is also considered to be one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture on the continent. In fact, Vikingsholm was commissioned by Mrs Lora Josephine Knight who had been in love with Scandinavian fjords. 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. 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. 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. Oak Hill Cemetery. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. Try again later. There, visitors tour Vikingsholm, a stone-and-timber mansion built by Lora Josephine Knight in 1929 at Emerald Bay, which reminded her of a Scandinavian fjord. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. 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. 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. They built the mansion using construction methods from as far back as the 11th century. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. 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 . Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. What Makes It Unique: In the late 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased land on Emerald Bay. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. 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. Dinner was at 6:30 p.m. On most evenings after dinner, Mrs. Knight and her guests were driven by limousine to the top of the road at Highway 89, Smith said. The property had a boat house constructed for her mahogany cabin cruiser named Valkyrie and a teahouse constructed on Fannette Island made from bricks cut from local granite. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Your email address will not be published. In later years, Lindberg frequently visited Lora at her various estates including Vikingsholm. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. The bridge was not the only major . [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. For as long as I can remember, Ive been fascinated by the mysterious widow who built the castle at Emerald Bay. It became the summer home for Mrs. Knight and her family for 15 years until her death. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Timber was hand-hewn, though Mrs. Knight specifically demanded that the footprint of her house be built around the old-growth trees on the property. Afternoon Hike in D.L. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. 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 couldnt refuse. 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 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 . Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. This is a carousel with slides. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Helen Smith was a frequent guest. -- Tahoe's Hidden Castle. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. Lora married James and her sister married William. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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 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. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. James Hobart Moore passed away in 1916 at their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. 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. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Burial Details Unknown. Louis. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. 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. Creator of Vikingsholm, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. 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. PHOTO: u local. Vikingsholm, Lake Tahoe, California, built from 1928 to 1929 as a summer home for Lora Josephine Knight. 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. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. Year should not be greater than current year. A system error has occurred. Knight, a prominent philanthropist and backer of Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 transatlantic flight, was inspired by her frequent European travels . Please enter your email and password to sign in. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. After this time, the property exchanged hands multiple times, but after a transaction with its last private owner, Harvey West, the property was . 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. Please try again later. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. 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. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. She also exhibited baskets made by the famous Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Knight traveled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland to research ideas for her grand Lake Tahoe home, including old wooden churches and ancient stone castles, before . Summer days at Vikingsholm were relaxed, with a bit of structure. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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