WebLora Josephine. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. In the 1880s Lora married James and her sister, Ada, married William. Inside, Knight decorated and furnished with antiques she purchased and shipped from Scandinavia. 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. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. And the monster isn't the only thing thought to exist at the bottom of the lake. He grew up much like youd think the single heir to a fortune would, but his time was short. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. Helen Smith was a frequent guest. 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. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. In 1928, she purchased the property from them for $250,000. Knight. On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. [1][2], She and James Moore bought land at Carnelian Bay in Lake Tahoe in 1914 to build a large home known as Wychwood, as well getting another retreat on Lake Geneva. Thank you for reading! Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. But in 1910, Nathaniel suddenly died. 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. 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. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. The estate was sold to Lawrence Holland, a rancher from Nevada. 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. They were inspired by viewing many ancient building such as wooden churches and homes in Norway and stone castles in Sweden. Serving Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village, Placer County ranks as one of healthiest counties in California, Cold temps set records at Tahoe; Warming trend, weaker storms in forecast, 7th annual WinterWonderGrass music festival entertains (Gallery), Pothole repair, road work to begin this spring on Incline Village highways, Wind, winter weather advisories issued for Truckee-Tahoe. [2] Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. WebFlickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. 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. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. The foundation was laid in the summer of 1928. Theres A Breathtaking Castle Nestled In The Mountains Of Northern California. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. WebLora 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 horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. She usually had a staff at Vikingsholm of approximately 15. Mrs. Knight and the Palmes traveled to Scandinavia in the summer of 1928 to gather ideas for the construction of the house at Emerald Bay. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. 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. 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. 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. 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. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Most of the building was made from local materials. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. WebVikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. McLaughlin says the replicas were so exact, Knight even had the ages of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied. Underwater exploring on the Maritime Trail. For as long as I can remember, Ive been fascinated by the mysterious widow who built the castle at Emerald Bay. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. 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 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. 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. Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. Lora Josephine Knight bought the land to build a summer home similar to those she had seen on her travels to Scandinavia. This marriage was not successful and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. In 1915, they purchased a home in Santa Barbara, but had little time to enjoy it together since Mr. Moore died in 1916.

It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Her parents were good friends with Knight, and Smith spent 14 summers visiting Vikingsholm as a child. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. The Kirbys built a number of cabins, intended for resort use, on the parcel of land where Vikingsholm now stands. 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. Fortunately many of Mrs. Knights original furnishings remain in the home today. Vikingsholm is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe, in El Dorado County, California, U.S., and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. 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. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. Lora married James and her sister married William. Loras marriage to Harry Knight didnt last for more than a couple of years before they divorced. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. 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. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains on the border of California and Nevada, the water is extremely cold and impossible to explore its deepest caverns, contributing to the many expeditions that have taken place to unveil the mysteries and legends of the Lake. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. Mrs. Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect and her nephew by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. For 16 years she had enjoyed her summer home Wychwood, at Observatory Point, on the North Shore. 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. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. [1][2][5][6] Lindbergh even stayed at the Knight's house the night before his flight. These terms were agreed upon, and in 1953 the house and property were acquired the the state. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. [1] Knight often entertained guests such as her friend Charles Lindbergh at Vikingsholm. Selma the clock, one of the most striking pieces, stands in the hallway. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. 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. 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. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two brothers, James and William Moore, into his law firm. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. Death. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. For example, guests' cars were always washed, serviced, and filled with gas shortly upon arrival, even if the cars were only used for short trips during a stay. 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. 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. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. The items she couldnt import she had replicated. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. It was built in 1928 and is now one of the treasured historic landmarks of Northern California. 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 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. WebLora Josephine. Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. Lora and James Moore had one son, Nathaniel, who married Helen Fargo of the family of Wells Fargo fame. The home is open daily for tours in the summer months from June to September. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. She also was a major benefactor to the Christian Science churches in Santa Barbara, Reno, and South Lake Tahoe. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. [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.

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[2] Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. They agreed to be major supporters. Outstanding features of the Vikingsholm exterior include: granite boulders embedded in mortar, typical of Swedish stone churches and castles built in the 11th century, massive hand hewn timbers, characteristic of those used by the early Norsemen, carvings around the doors adapted from those bordering old church entrances; carvings extending along roof ridges with dragon heads crossing at roof peaks, and a sod roof with wildflowers. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. This property was later sold to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr. and is now known as Dollar Point. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location.

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