They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. A system error has occurred. by BlackBoxGuild on Envato Elements Stock Video by BlackBoxGuild. They traveled across Scandinavia for research and inspiration before laying the foundation in the late summer of 1928 for Vikingsholm. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Subscribe and Download now! 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. 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. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. She then had 200 workers build Vikingsholm. Mansion built by Lora Knight. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . 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. Sorry! Her first lakefront mansion was called Wychwood and was just north of Dollar Point, where the Chinquapin condominiums are today. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. 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. "A woman ahead of her time, who was remarkable: Forward thinking, generous, and resourceful. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Before starting construction, Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the house. Bliss . Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. 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. One could and still can only get to the island by boat, kayaks or canoes. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. The natural setting of Lake Tahoe reminded her of Northern Europe. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. 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. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. 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. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Mrs. Knights Emerald Bay castle, called Vikingsholm, is an homage to Scandinavian architecture. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. The Vikingsholm design was carefully and thoughtfully created after Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight and her architect took a trip to Scandinavia. 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 . [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. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the house. 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. Knight, a prominent philanthropist and backer of Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 transatlantic flight, was inspired by her frequent European travels . 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. PHOTO: u local. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. 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). Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Lora Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. Oops, something didn't work. This account has been disabled. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. 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. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. based on information from your browser. [1] Knight often entertained guests such as her friend Charles Lindbergh at Vikingsholm. Laura Josephine "Lora" Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. 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. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. 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. 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. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. Search. 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. 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. Since this is my blog and I get to say whatever I want, I think Morris would've approved of . Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. In Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. Harry and Lora were divorced in 1928 and Lora Knight sold her Lakefront estate in Chinquapin to Robert Stanley Dollar Sr., a wealthy San Francisco businessman. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. . In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. Resend Activation Email. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. The Vikingsholm castle greets visitors to Emerald Bay. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic churches and castles, widowed heiress Lora Josephine Knight built Vikingsholm in 1929. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. 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. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. [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. The estate is also considered to be one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture on the continent. 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. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. You can learn more about the property and all of its secrets during a guided tour. 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. Heading clockwise around the lake, the next stop is Emerald Bay State Park to check out Vikingsholm Castle, a 1929 stone summer home built by wealthy philanthropist Lora Josephine Knight and lauded as one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. We have set your language to Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. 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. Your email address will not be published. Burial Burial Details Unknown. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Make sure that the file is a photo. 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. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Weve updated the security on the site. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Please try again later. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . 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 . Failed to report flower. 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. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. He grew up much like youd think the single heir to a fortune would, but his time was short. Visitors, like Conn, sometimes leave . Friends spent many summers with Mrs. Knight at Vikingsholm, swimming, boating, and hiking . 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 1922, Lora married Harry French Knight. Lora Knight commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect whom she was related to by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. 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. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. Search for: Browse by Date This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . Burial. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight later constructed Vikingsholm, an exquisite 38-room castle on the Emerald Bay shores, in 1928-1929. And let's face it, if you were as rich as she . Search above to list available cemeteries. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Learn more about managing a memorial . 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. 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. There is a problem with your email/password. 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. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight built a tea house at the top of Fannette Island in Emerald Bay State Park. 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. She enjoyed the property for years, until her passing in 1945. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 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. 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. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form. It was paradise, as Mrs. William H. 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