Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. 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. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. After this time, the property exchanged hands multiple times, but after a transaction with its last private owner, Harvey West, the property was . . 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). Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. 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. Laura Josephine "Lora" Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden drawing inspiration for centuries old buildings and castles.. Construction of Vikingsholm began in the fall of 1928. They agreed to be major supporters. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Read More. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. She died there in 1945 at the age of 82. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. [1] Knight often entertained guests such as her friend Charles Lindbergh at Vikingsholm. The natural setting of Lake Tahoe reminded her of Northern Europe. It is known as 'Tahoe's Hidden Castle' and draws thousands of curious visitors each year. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. 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. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. 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. [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. 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. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. 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. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. 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. 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. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. 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. Your email address will not be published. [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. Visitors, like Conn, sometimes leave . She also clearly had an eye for real estate. She loved Scandinavian architecture and Emerald Bay reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Knight, a prominent philanthropist and backer of Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 transatlantic flight, was inspired by her frequent European travels . 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. 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. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Your email address will not be published. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Impressed by her architect nephew Lennart Palme's Nordic-inspired home in New York, Mrs. Knight travelled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and . 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. 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. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. 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. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Over 200 artisans, some from Scandinavia, and workmen constructed the estate by hand hewing the timbers, carving the intricate designs, hand planning the wood for the interior walls, and forging the hinges and latches. Lora Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect whom she was related to by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. 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. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. 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. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park. Helen Smith was a frequent guest. Lora Josephine Knight, who in 1929 built the stone and timber Vikingsholm castle at the base of the bay, said Emerald Bay reminded her of a Scandinavian fjord. Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. The castle was commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928, as her summer home in an area that reminded her of Scandinavian fjords. PHOTO: u local. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. Failed to report flower. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the . 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.. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Subscribe to Envato Elements for unlimited Stock Video downloads for a single monthly fee. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. 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. Her parents were good friends with Knight, and Smith spent 14 summers visiting Vikingsholm as a child. EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 edition of Tahoe Magazine. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. 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. 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 . 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. Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. 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 . Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. 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. Vikingsholm was designed by Lennart Palme in 1928 as the summer home of Lora Josephine Knight, with construction completed in 1929. Built in the late 1920s from owner's Lora Josephine Knight's inspiring Norwegian travels Vikingsholm was constructed from local granite and hand-hewn timbers. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Weve updated the security on the site. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Lora Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. 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. 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. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. 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. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. Specifically: Private Memorial Memorial ID 110560461 . 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 . I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Together, they designed, built, and decorated the castle with authentic materials shipped in from Northern Europe. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. [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. Try again later. [3] However, her husband's health began failing and he died on July 20, 1916, leaving her with an estate of at least $15 million. 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 . Vikingsholm Castle . Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Loras marriage to Harry Knight didnt last for more than a couple of years before they divorced. 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 They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. For weekly updates, interviews and profiles from a Tahoe insider, sign up for our Tahoe newsletter here. In the 1950's after Lora Josephine Knight died, the castle was sold to Harvey West, which is a name you probably recognize if you've spent some time around Lake Tahoe. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. You can learn more about the property and all of its secrets during a guided tour. 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. 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 roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. This teahouse was used by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who also owned the famous Vikingsholm mansion. The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. There is a problem with your email/password. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. 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. 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.. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. There was a problem getting your location. 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. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlinis a nationally published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine. In later years, Lindberg frequently visited Lora at her various estates including Vikingsholm. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. She had inherited a fortune from her first husband. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. Before starting construction, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to . 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. 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. March 18, 2021 by rrservices Leave a Comment. 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. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. It was built in a single summer. She filled the house with original Scandinavian antiques and replicas she commissioned from artisans. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . Try again. Her "Castle in the Sky" features intricate . 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. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 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. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. 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 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. Her first lakefront mansion was called Wychwood and was just north of Dollar Point, where the Chinquapin condominiums are today. Look to the western shore of Emerald Bay and admire the grand 38-room mansion, which is considered one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in the country. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. 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. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. 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. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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. 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. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. 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. But nature is the real draw. ). Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. 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. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. Some parts of the structure contain no nails or spikes, as a result of old . Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic churches and castles, widowed heiress Lora Josephine Knight built Vikingsholm in 1929. 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. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. After a short marriage to Henry Knight, yet keeping his last name, Lora Knight went to work on creating the castle of her dreams to blend in with the bay. 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