Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Oops, something didn't work. [5] Despite the divorce, Lora continued to use her ex-husband's last name. 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. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. [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. 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. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Your email address will not be published. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Lora married James and her sister married William. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. But since then, the state park has preserved Vikingsholm, and Knights legacy, for hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive every year. 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. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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. Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. Sorry! Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. 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. Laura Josephine "Lora" Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. She hired architect Myron Hunt, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . 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. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. The over 70-foot long Bleu Wave carries up to 50 passengers and includes a private lounge, fireplace and more. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. "A woman ahead of her time, who was remarkable: Forward thinking, generous, and resourceful. They agreed to be major supporters. The 38-bedroom castle was constructed between 1928 and 1929 for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who used it as a summer retreat. From there they strolled back down to Vikingsholm.. 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. First, Huell . She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. The building, as creepy as it may look, was actually a tea house, built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, ex-wife of wealthy stockbroker Charles French Knight. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. 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. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. We have set your language to Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. (So next time you visit Vikingsholm for a picnic, consider bringing some Ritz Crackers or perhaps Oreos.). She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic churches and castles, widowed heiress Lora Josephine Knight built Vikingsholm in 1929. 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. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Make sure that the file is a photo. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. Impressed by her architect nephew Lennart Palme's Nordic-inspired home in New York, Mrs. Knight travelled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and . This browser does not support getting your location. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. I highly recommend taking a tour if at all possible, but if that doesn't work for you logistically, still hike down and marvel at its exterior, as well as the views from lake level of Emerald Bay. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. 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 . 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's best remembered today for building Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle along the shores of Lake Tahoe, as a summer home in 1928. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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. 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. It is known as 'Tahoe's Hidden Castle' and draws thousands of curious visitors each year. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. She died there in 1945 at the age of 82. The family spent most of their time in Chicago but vacationed in California often. 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. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. 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. 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. The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. 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. 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 . Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. . The Moore brothers had a controlling interest in a handful of large corporations, including United States Steel, Union Pacific, Rock Island Railroad and National Biscuit, or Nabisco. 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. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. 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 . . During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. But his health continued to worsen. Try again later. 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. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. 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. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. The trailhead to the late Lora Josephine Knight's '20s-era holiday home looks deceptively summery, but remnants of one of the region's longest winters-it snowed on June 6- has all but eliminated typical mid-June activities. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. Vikingsholm Castle . Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. Find the . The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. . Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. . Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Lora Josephine Small Knight I found on Findagrave.com. 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 already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. The castle was built in the shape of a horseshoe with two wings . In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park. [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. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. She built a castle on the island and served tea to her visitors. James Hobart Moore passed away in 1916 at their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Lora Josephine Knight fell in love with the spot on Emerald Bay, as it reminded her of the fjords she had visited in Scandinavia. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. 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. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Burial. Our mission is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. 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. The year before she purchased land in Emerald Bay, she was one of the primary financial backers to Charles Lindberghs first flight across the Atlantic, from New York to Paris. She married James Hobart Moore, who she met while he worked with her father in his law practice, and who along with his brother became rich by gaining controlling interests in a large number of companies such as the Diamond Match Company, U.S. Steel, Union Pacific, and Nabisco. Commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home, Knight wanted someplace that reflected the beauty of the surrounding area. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Her parents were good friends with Knight, and Smith spent 14 summers visiting Vikingsholm as a child. It was built in a single summer. He was a stockbroker in St. Louis, Missouri, and an aspiring pilot. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Mrs. Knight had Vikingsholm built for her as a summer home in 1929. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. 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. 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. 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. 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). Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. The coroner said the cause of death was heart disease, but the night before, Nathaniel was up late at a brothel and had been drinking. [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. Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. 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. 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.. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. He was 25. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Louis. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . A system error has occurred. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. [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. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. 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. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. ). As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. She loved Scandinavian architecture and Emerald Bay 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. After this time, the property exchanged hands multiple times, but after a transaction with its last private owner, Harvey West, the property was . 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. 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