Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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. I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. [1][2][5][6] Lindbergh even stayed at the Knight's house the night before his flight. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? Helen Smith was a frequent guest. 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. Burial Details Unknown. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. 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. For weekly updates, interviews and profiles from a Tahoe insider, sign up for our Tahoe newsletter here. 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. 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. Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. A system error has occurred. She enjoyed the property for years, until her passing in 1945. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. 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. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. 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. Lora Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect whom she was related to by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . She had inherited a fortune from her first husband. 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). Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. She also exhibited baskets made by the famous Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. 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 J. KNIGHT. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. 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. 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. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. [1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. 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. 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. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Verify and try again. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. Specifically: Private Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110560461/lora-josephine-knight. [5] Despite the divorce, Lora continued to use her ex-husband's last name. 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. $1,225,000 120 Island Green CIR Penhook, VA. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight built a tea house at the top of Fannette Island in Emerald Bay State 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. It became the summer home for Mrs. Knight and her family for 15 years until her death. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. 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. 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. The only way to get to Fannette Island is by boat, kayak, or canoe. 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. Loras marriage to Harry Knight didnt last for more than a couple of years before they divorced. Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. More Details Today, Vikingsholm welcomes tourists from across the planet. 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 . 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. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. Try again later. Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. There is a problem with your email/password. Whether its delightful dining options, fun things to do or amazing outdoor recreation opportunities, we have you covered. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. 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. Touring Vikingsholm is a must. We have set your language to The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. Download Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight's Tea House on Fannett Island in Emerald Bay State Park. GREAT NEWS! During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. [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. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Many remember her because of her generous . Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. She had a single-lane dirt road constructed to the property so her and her guest could arrive by car. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. 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. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. Visitors, like Conn, sometimes leave . She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. ). His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. . If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. 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. Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. 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. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. 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. Resend Activation Email. 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. He was a stockbroker in St. Louis, Missouri, and an aspiring pilot. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. 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. Oops, something didn't work. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. Vikingsholm was designed by Lennart Palme in 1928 as the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight, with construction completed in 1929. Afternoon Hike in D.L. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. His body was taken to the Moore home, to Lora, in a private ambulance. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. But his health continued to worsen. 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