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. 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. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Lora married James and her sister married William. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. But since then, the state park has preserved Vikingsholm, and Knights legacy, for hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive every year. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. She enjoyed the property for years, until her passing in 1945. 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. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Illinois, USA. Creator of Vikingsholm, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. March 18, 2021 by rrservices Leave a Comment. [5] As president of the St. Louis Flying Club, Harry Knight knew Charles Lindbergh, and the Knights were major financial backers of Lindbergh's 1927 solo flight from New York to Paris in the Spirit of Saint Louis. Historic Vikingsholm Castle offers one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay - one of the most photographed bays in the world. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. As soon as the snow melted in spring 1929, some 200 craftsmen arrived to build Vikingsholm. 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. 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. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. She's best remembered today for building Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle along the shores of Lake Tahoe, as a summer home in 1928. The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. 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. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. If Lake Tahoe was tipped upside-down . 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. The items she couldnt import she had replicated. "A woman ahead of her time, who was remarkable: Forward thinking, generous, and resourceful. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. The over 70-foot long Bleu Wave carries up to 50 passengers and includes a private lounge, fireplace and more. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. 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. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. Your email address will not be published. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. 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. Hunt also designed the Rose Bowl. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. 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. Try again later. 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. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. 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. [5] Despite the divorce, Lora continued to use her ex-husband's last name. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. She had a single-lane dirt road constructed to the property so her and her guest could arrive by car. Read More. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. Together, they designed, built, and decorated the castle with authentic materials shipped in from Northern Europe. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Lora Josephine Small Knight I found on Findagrave.com. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. To use this feature, use a newer browser. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Burial. Now the property is a California State Park and can be visited year-round with tours of the Vikingsholm interior in summer months. Resend Activation Email. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . James Hobart Moore passed away in 1916 at their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Search for: Browse by Date She then had 200 workers build Vikingsholm. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. 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. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. Sorry! It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. ). Mansion built by Lora Knight. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. 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. The castle was built in the shape of a horseshoe with two wings . EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 edition of Tahoe Magazine. . An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. [2], In 1922, she married stockbroker Harry French Knight of St. She built a castle on the island and served tea to her visitors. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. 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 A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. She hired architect Myron Hunt, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Harry met Charles Lindbergh on the St. Louis airfield, according to historian Mark McLaughlin. I've heard stories about the wealthy woman who built the teahouse on the island. Try again later. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Thanks for your help! The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. GREAT NEWS! [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. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden drawing inspiration for centuries old buildings and castles.. Construction of Vikingsholm began in the fall of 1928. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. 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. One could and still can only get to the island by boat, kayaks or canoes. McLaughlin says the replicas were so exact, Knight even had the ages of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied. 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. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. 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. 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. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. The Moore brothers had a controlling interest in a handful of large corporations, including United States Steel, Union Pacific, Rock Island Railroad and National Biscuit, or Nabisco. Lake Geneva, Walworth County, . Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Burial Details Unknown. But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. Serving Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village, Truckees Quintero designs custom Nordica skis to raise money for youth, Caboose of Truckee-Tahoe storm train in sight, Tahoe ski resorts receive about 2 feet of snow; More on way, Tahoe homeowners, businesses urged to monitor snow loads, propane tanks, gas lines, Above the rim: Ongoing winter storms lead to rapid rise for Lake Tahoe. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Weve updated the security on the site. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. . Wildlife have several strategies to endure Lake Tahoes winters, Steeped in old town Truckee history, Moodys serves up innovative cuisine, Earn your turns: Tahoe Backcountry Alliance encourages stewardship, accessibility to backcountry, The art of charcuteski: Craft an on-mountain dining experience with the skis that got you there. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. She died there in 1945 at the age of 82. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. 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. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. It was built in a single summer. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. 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 . Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. The 38-bedroom castle was constructed between 1928 and 1929 for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who used it as a summer retreat. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. The late owner, Lora Josephine Knight also commissioned the building of tea house in Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe's only island. There was a problem getting your location. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. 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. It took 200 workers to complete the building. 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. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on quite a few travels to Scandinavia. 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. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought land on the western shores of Lake Tahoe on which to build her home. Summer days at Vikingsholm were relaxed, with a bit of structure. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. 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. The natural setting of Lake Tahoe reminded her of Northern Europe. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Oops, something didn't work. 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 . The castle was built in 1929 and commissioned by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who drew similarities between Lake Tahoe and the fjords of Scandinavia. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. But in 1910, Nathaniel suddenly died. 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. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. 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. 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. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? She writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. Most of the materials came from the Tahoe Basin, trees were cut for their size and lack of knots, and the granite for the foundation and walls was quarried from behind the house. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. To build it, she hired Swedish architect Lennart Palme, her nephew by marriage. 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. Since this is my blog and I get to say whatever I want, I think Morris would've approved of . But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. This is a carousel with slides. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. 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. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Please try again later. It became the summer home for Mrs. Knight and her family for 15 years until her death. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. Eventually, a wealthy woman by the name Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, acquired the island when she had a mansion built on a nearby shore, in 1929. 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 . Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Vikingsholm was built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. For as long as I can remember, Ive been fascinated by the mysterious widow who built the castle at Emerald Bay. He grew up much like youd think the single heir to a fortune would, but his time was short. Inside, Knight decorated and furnished with antiques she purchased and shipped from Scandinavia. 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. The family spent most of their time in Chicago but vacationed in California often. 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. Specifically: Private Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110560461/lora-josephine-knight. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. It's a steep . Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. 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. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. 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. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. They agreed to be major supporters. 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. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. Drag images here or select from your computer for Lora Josephine Small Knight memorial. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. 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. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. 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. The trailhead to the late Lora Josephine Knight's '20s-era holiday home looks deceptively summery, but remnants of one of the region's longest winters-it snowed on June 6- has all but eliminated typical mid-June activities. 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. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well.