She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. Radar imaging of below the surface of Lake Tahoe and its dramatic sheer cliffs. Search for: Browse by Date [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. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. On your next view you will be asked to log in or create an account to continue reading. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. She and Mr. Knight actively promoted Charles Lindberghs flight across the Atlantic and were the prime financial backers of that flight. WebFlickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. It was built in 1928 and is now one of the treasured historic landmarks of Northern California. For example, guests' cars were always washed, serviced, and filled with gas shortly upon arrival, even if the cars were only used for short trips during a stay. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form. This was an era when Tahoe was first establishing itself as a summer haven for wealthy tourists who sought an escape from Californias cities. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. This magnificent structure, now a national and California landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. 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. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. The barges had to be towed or pushed by steamers, and one of them now lies parallel to the shore measuring over 100 feet long. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Through church affiliations Mrs. Knight had become acquainted with the William Henry Armstrong family, who owned 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay. Thank you for signing in! WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. But since then, the state park has preserved Vikingsholm, and Knights legacy, for hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive every year. We hope that you enjoy our free content. [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 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. 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. The exceptional summer home was enjoyed by Mrs. Knight and her guests, for 15 gratifying summers, until Mrs. Knights death at the age of 82 in 1945. 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. Mrs. Knight enjoyed entertaining and invited many friends and family members to visit during the summer months. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. 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. Death. It also represents an era from the past of lavish but gracious living. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. Emerald Bay Overlook: In 1928, Lora Knight purchased Emerald Bay for $250,000. Bay at Lake Tahoe, this magnificent "castle" is a unique blend 1 May 1864. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. Rocks in Water Californias Gold (803) Were talking about rocks in the water! A relaxed, unhurried atmosphere typified the style of life one experienced when visiting the home. Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. For as long as I can remember, Ive been fascinated by the mysterious widow who built the castle at Emerald Bay. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. [2] Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. WebFlickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. WebLora Josephine. 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. Mrs. Knight greatly admired some pieces seen in Norwegian and Swedish museums, which were not available for purchase. 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.. [1] Knight often entertained guests such as her friend Charles Lindbergh at Vikingsholm. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. One of their most unusual underwater discoveries was an ancient forest at the bottom of Fallen Leaf Lake, adjacent to Lake Tahoe, where 80-foot tall trees, more than 2,000 years old are still standing upright. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. 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. One newspaper article, published in the Reno Gazette Journal, said Nathaniel was lavish with money. He once invited a few friends to Broadway and hosted a $20,000 dinner. During the day guests enjoyed swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and trips around the lake, by boat or car, planned by Mrs. Knight. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. This property was later sold to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr. and is now known as Dollar Point. GPS locations now direct divers to a wide variety of wrecks at depths up to 60 feet with markers explaining the history of the vessel and details how they were used. Read More. Now part of Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm was once the summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park.[4][10]. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. The owner, billionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight bought the land to build a summer home similar to those she had seen on her travels to Scandinavia. A visitor's center adjacent to the main building is available for further information and the sale of tour tickets and other items. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. According to McLaughlin, Lora Knight was known for her hospitality and philanthropy. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. Search. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. It is located along the shores of Lake Tahoe and each Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Read More. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. In Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. There is dramatic history in the Emerald Bay area of Lake Tahoe where the new dive trail is located. 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. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. The William Henry Armstrong family acquired the property in 1892 and they used the cabins as their summer residence for over 32 years. A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. Vikingsholm is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, California, U.S., and on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. 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. Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. Knight also built a remarkable tea house on the tiny neighboring Fannette Island in the middle of the bay which is said to be haunted by aprevious resident of the island, a hermit named Captain Dick Barter who ultimately drowned in the Lake. 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. WebLora Josephine Knight constructed Vikingsholm in the Scandinavian style because Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords she visited on trips to that region. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. 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. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. WebLora Josephine Knight (1 May 1864 - 26 June 1945) was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. 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. The interior of the house also exemplifies the Scandinavian motif, with delicate paintings on the ceilings and walls, Nordic fireplaces throughout, and two intricately carved dragon beams hanging from the ceiling in the living room. 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. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. This is a carousel. [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. Loras marriage to Harry Knight didnt last for more than a couple of years before they divorced. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. WebVikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. Many antiques were purchased abroad for the home. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. 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. Searching the world for the most amazing People, Places and Things. Mosquito Fire in Tahoe National Forest balloons to 5,000 acres, Burning Man aftermath leaves mounds of trash in Tahoe area, 'Don't be a hero': The bomb that nearly destroyed a Tahoe resort. In total, construction of Vikingsholm was estimated to cost $500,000. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. For 16 years she had enjoyed her summer home Wychwood, at Observatory Point, on the North Shore. That connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89 a summer haven for wealthy tourists sought. Vital local news the world for the house Armstrong family acquired the in... The best location in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope the! 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