Read our E-edition from your preferred device. 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. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Hunt also designed the Rose Bowl. Touring Vikingsholm is a must. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. 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. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. And if you're visiting in the summer, you can take a tour of the property. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. This account has been disabled. Try again later. But in 1910, Nathaniel suddenly died. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. 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 . [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. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. The Later Years. He grew up much like youd think the single heir to a fortune would, but his time was short. Burial Details Unknown. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. 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. 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. Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. 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.. 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. 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 email does not appear to be a valid email address. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. 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. 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. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. 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. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. [1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. Burial. 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 Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. You can learn more about the property and all of its secrets during a guided tour. 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. 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. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. 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.. Failed to delete memorial. [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 11 of 25 11. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. This is a carousel. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. The 38-bedroom castle was constructed between 1928 and 1929 for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who used it as a summer retreat. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. She filled the house with original Scandinavian antiques and replicas she commissioned from artisans. 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. More Details 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. Vikingsholm - Built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. 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. Knight spent 15 summers at Vikingsholm. 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 . Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. 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. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the house. 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. 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 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. Summer days at Vikingsholm were relaxed, with a bit of structure. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. They agreed to be major supporters. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 edition of Tahoe Magazine. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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