In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. She's best remembered today for building Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian-inspired castle along the shores of Lake Tahoe, as a summer home in 1928. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Vikingsholm - Built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Our mission is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. 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.. by BlackBoxGuild on Envato Elements Stock Video by BlackBoxGuild. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Subscribe to Envato Elements for unlimited Stock Video downloads for a single monthly fee. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. 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. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. In fact, Vikingsholm was commissioned by Mrs Lora Josephine Knight who had been in love with Scandinavian fjords. Historic Vikingsholm Castle offers one of the most spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and Emerald Bay - one of the most photographed bays in the world. Her first lakefront mansion was called Wychwood and was just north of Dollar Point, where the Chinquapin condominiums are today. 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. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. 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. 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. 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. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. Read our E-edition from your preferred device. 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. 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 . Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. Drag images here or select from your computer for Lora Josephine Small Knight memorial. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Try again later. And if you're visiting in the summer, you can take a tour of the property. 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 couldnt refuse. Illinois, USA. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. But Vikingsholm is the house that Lora will always be known for. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. Vikingsholm is said to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the Western Hemisphere, according to California State Parks, which manages the land today. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. 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. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. 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. If Lake Tahoe was tipped upside-down . Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. Since this is my blog and I get to say whatever I want, I think Morris would've approved of . Search for: Browse by Date Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on quite a few travels to Scandinavia. [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. In Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. 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. But in 1910, Nathaniel suddenly died. . The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Please enter your email and password to sign in. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. In 1914, the Moores built a lakefront estate in Lake Tahoe at Chinquapin which they called Wychwood. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. The castle was built in the shape of a horseshoe with two wings . 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 later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. Serving Truckee, Tahoe City, Kings Beach and Incline Village, Truckees Quintero designs custom Nordica skis to raise money for youth, Caboose of Truckee-Tahoe storm train in sight, Tahoe ski resorts receive about 2 feet of snow; More on way, Tahoe homeowners, businesses urged to monitor snow loads, propane tanks, gas lines, Above the rim: Ongoing winter storms lead to rapid rise for Lake Tahoe. Armstrong's land was purchased by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928 at a sum of $250,000 with the intent of creating a grand summer home residence that would reflect the area's natural beauty. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. Emerald Bay State Park is one of the most popular destinations in Lake Tahoe. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. Knight spent 15 summers at Vikingsholm. 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. Before starting construction of the summer home late that year, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the construction of the house. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. [1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Nearby Fannette Island, the only island in the lake, has the remains of Knight's "Tea House" perched atop its craggy peak and is a popular spot for picnics and parties. . Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. 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. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Burial. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Edge Country Club as well as stunning views of Smith Mountain Lake and the spectacular golf course, which sits like an emerald surrounded by the blue waters of the lake and lush mountain scenery. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. 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. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. 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 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 then had 200 workers build Vikingsholm. With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Failed to remove flower. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. 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.. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. It was originally constructed to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight who had been impressed by her architect nephew's Nordic-inspired home in New York. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. During the 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight had Vikingsholm built, as well as the Tea House on Fannette Island. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. 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. Vikingsholm, Lake Tahoe, California, built from 1928 to 1929 as a summer home for Lora Josephine Knight. Her father Edward A. 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. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Try again. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. 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. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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. The Vikingsholm castle greets visitors to Emerald Bay. Please reset your password. 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. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. To build it, she hired Swedish architect Lennart Palme, her nephew by marriage. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. There is a problem with your email/password. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased Armstrong's land with the need to construct a summer house that may praise the magnificent pure environment. The 38-bedroom castle was constructed between 1928 and 1929 for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who used it as a summer retreat. Failed to delete memorial. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. Your email address will not be published. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. 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. 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. Make sure that the file is a photo. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. 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 . Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. Oak Hill Cemetery. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. For as long as I can remember, Ive been fascinated by the mysterious widow who built the castle at Emerald Bay. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. 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. March 18, 2021 by rrservices Leave a Comment. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. 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. 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. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. She died there in 1945 at the age of 82. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. After a few sales, in 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. For great images click the Photo Gallery just above the map below. -- Tahoe's Hidden Castle. He too had development plans that never materialized and in 1953 donated the . 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. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. Lora Josephine Knight was the creator and visionary of what is now known as Tahoe's Hidden Castle. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. 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. 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.
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