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. 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. Lora Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. 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. They agreed to be major supporters. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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 Read our E-edition from your preferred device. 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. But nature is the real draw. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Everyone heads for Emerald Bay, with its waterfall, beach and famed Scandinavian mansion, Vikingsholm, built in 1928 by Lora Josephine Knight and open for tours. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. [4][10], "The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America", "The mysterious castle in Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay", "The History of Lora Knight and Her Vikingsholm", "Vikingsholm: A Brief History (Nordic Castle at Emerald Bay)", "The mysteries and stories of the Harry F. Knight House", "LORA J. KNIGHT; Former Wife of Stock Broker, Financed Lindbergh Flight", "GETS DIVORCE IN RENO COURT California Digital Newspaper Collection", "Clipping from Reno Gazette-Journal - Newspapers.com", "Historic Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay always in need of attention, support", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lora_Josephine_Knight&oldid=1101022867, This page was last edited on 28 July 2022, at 22:31. 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 . [4], Knight sold her Wychwood home to San Francisco businessman Robert Stanley Dollar Sr.[1] In the summer of summer of 1929, Knight built Vikingsholm, the house she is most known for, buying the 240 acres of land in Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe from William Henry Armstrong, who she knew through her church, for $250,000. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. 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. . 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. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. Vikingsholm was built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. Thankfully this rich white man was a philanthropist and he donated his castle house and land to the state of California in 1953 and thus was born the Harvey West Unit of the . 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. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. 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. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. 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. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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 . Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. 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. Lora Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect whom she was related to by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. 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. Rocks in Water - California's Gold (803) We're talking about rocks in the water! She filled the house with original Scandinavian antiques and replicas she commissioned from artisans. 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. 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. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Her first lakefront mansion was called Wychwood and was just north of Dollar Point, where the Chinquapin condominiums are today. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Search. 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 Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. . 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. 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 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. Verify and try again. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. For more information see the California Parks Website. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. And if you're visiting in the summer, you can take a tour of the property. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. She's best remembered today for building Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle along the shores of Lake Tahoe, as a summer home in 1928. 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. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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"). Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. James Hobart Moore passed away in 1916 at their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. 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. The house he created for her is called Cima del Mundo. . 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. After traveling to Scandinavia Mrs. Knight along with her architect returned to the Lake Tahoe area and started construction on the Castle with ideas they gathered on their European tour. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. [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. He too had development plans that never materialized and in 1953 donated the . Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. Her father was a corporate lawyer who partnered with two brothers, William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. She spent 15 summers at the mansion before passing away peacefully in her home in 1945 (and leaving a thousand dollars for each of her employees for every year they worked for her). Knight spent 15 summers at Vikingsholm. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. The family spent most of their time in Chicago but vacationed in California often. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on quite a few travels to Scandinavia. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. ). Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Nathan Moore apparently knew how to have a good time, dying at the age of 25 of natural causes after spending the previous night at Chicagos most famous and expensive house of prostitution. Mrs. Knight and her husband were also backers of Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. [1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. 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. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. Mrs. Knight insisted that the natural environment of Emerald Bay be protected and so no trees were cut in the vicinity of the estate and the home was built around several large trees. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. The home features an impressive 38 rooms and gives details about the history of the area and the owner of the estate, Lora Josephine Knight. Nathan Moore apparently knew how to have a good time, dying at the age of 25 of natural causes after spending the previous night at Chicagos most famous and expensive house of prostitution. 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. 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. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Learn more about merges. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. She also happened to have a Swedish architect for a nephew. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. . The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Before starting construction, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to . Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. 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. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours through the end of September. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. Resend Activation Email. 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. 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. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. The 38-bedroom castle was constructed between 1928 and 1929 for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who used it as a summer retreat. 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. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. 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. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? 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 history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the . 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. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. [5], In 1924, the Knights hired Myron Hunt to build a home they named Cima del Mundo in Santa Barbara, California on the Montecito hillside. Thanks for your help! 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. We have set your language to Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. Creator of Vikingsholm, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Afternoon Hike in D.L. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. She spent 15 summers in the house and, along with her numerous guests, enjoyed the nature, wildlife and peaceful tranquility of the estate until her death in 1945. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. The house is available for guided tours . Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. Now the property is a California State Park and can be visited year-round with tours of the Vikingsholm interior in summer months. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. 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. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. One could and still can only get to the island by boat, kayaks or canoes. Our mission is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. Your email address will not be published. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. Today, Vikingsholm welcomes tourists from across the planet. Breakfast was at 8 a.m. sharp, but afterwards, time was for the taking to read, hike up to the waterfalls or go fishing off the dock, Smith said. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. 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 . Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Failed to report flower. 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 couldn't refuse. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Each day blended into the next, relaxed and unhurried, Smith told the Press Democrat, and began with the sound of swishing sprinklers set up by yardmen in the early morning hours to water the wildflowers that grew in the grasses on the bay side of the house.. 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. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. For weekly updates, interviews and profiles from a Tahoe insider, sign up for our Tahoe newsletter here. Lora Josephine Knight fell in love with the spot on Emerald Bay, as it reminded her of the fjords she had visited in Scandinavia. Failed to delete memorial. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; Douglas VHR panel keeps plugging away at new code, LTUSD: Sierra House Elementary a great place to learn, grow, Kiwanis Club serves South Tahoe community, Caboose of Lake Tahoe storm train in sight, South Lake Tahoe nonprofit Live Violence Free celebrates 45 years. Specifically: Private Memorial Memorial ID 110560461 . In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Failed to remove flower. 9 Mar 1997 26 Oct 2021 California's Gold. 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. 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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. 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. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. 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. Search for: Browse by Date The Vikingsholm design was carefully and thoughtfully created after Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight and her architect took a trip to Scandinavia. 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. She hired architect Myron Hunt, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. 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. . Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. 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. 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. 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. Tahoe has a handful of historic mansions along its shoreline that date back to the late 1800s and first quarter of the 20th century. 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.