lora josephine knight

For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Mrs. Knight insisted that the natural environment of Emerald Bay be protected and so no trees were cut in the vicinity of the estate and the home was built around several large trees. Mansion built by Lora Knight. . Vikingsholm was built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. 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.. Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. Find the . The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. Subscribe and Download now! She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home, Knight wanted someplace that reflected the beauty of the surrounding area. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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. 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. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. Please reset your password. 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. Her parents were good friends with Knight, and Smith spent 14 summers visiting Vikingsholm as a child. 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. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. Summer days at Vikingsholm were relaxed, with a bit of structure. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. She also happened to have a Swedish architect for a nephew. 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. 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. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Your email address will not be published. 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. Lora Josephine Knight fell in love with the spot on Emerald Bay, as it reminded her of the fjords she had visited in Scandinavia. The late owner, Lora Josephine Knight also commissioned the building of tea house in Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe's only island. 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. 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. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Oops, we were unable to send the email. She died there in 1945 at the age of 82. Knight, a prominent philanthropist and backer of Charles Lindbergh's historic 1927 transatlantic flight, was inspired by her frequent European travels . She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6c48a6eb8c72e2209552e8955337afe" );document.getElementById("a260d01730").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Hi, Im Greg and I can help you to have your piece of the Tahoe Lifestyle, sitemap admin 2023 All Rights Reserved Real Estate Website Design by IDXCentral.com. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. Lora Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. PHOTO: u local. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. He too had development plans that never materialized and in 1953 donated the . They agreed to be major supporters. 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. Look to the western shore of Emerald Bay and admire the grand 38-room mansion, which is considered one of the best examples of Scandinavian architecture in the country. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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.. Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. If Lake Tahoe was tipped upside-down . 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. 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. Afternoon Hike in D.L. Eventually, a wealthy woman by the name Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, acquired the island when she had a mansion built on a nearby shore, in 1929. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. Search. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. 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.. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . 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. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. First, Huell . His award-winning books are available at local stores or atwww.thestormking.com. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. To use this feature, use a newer browser. 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.. 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. $1,225,000 120 Island Green CIR Penhook, VA. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight built a tea house at the top of Fannette Island in Emerald Bay State She built a castle on the island and served tea to her visitors. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. For great images click the Photo Gallery just above the map below. She loved Scandinavian architecture and Emerald Bay reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. 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. 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. With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and 11th century Nordic churches and castles, widowed heiress Lora Josephine Knight built Vikingsholm in 1929. The Later Years. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. Lake Geneva, Walworth County, . They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. 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 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. It was built in a single summer. And in this episode, Huell visits three of the most fascinating of these rocks. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. 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. He was 25. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. According to McLaughlin, Lora Knight was known for her hospitality and philanthropy. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. 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. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. 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 also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Try again later. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. The California landmark is one of the finest Scandinavian structures located outside of the Nordic countries. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Built in the late 1920s from owner's Lora Josephine Knight's inspiring Norwegian travels Vikingsholm was constructed from local granite and hand-hewn timbers. 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. Lora Knight died in 1945 and Lawrence Holland, a Nevada rancher purchased the Vikingsholm from her estate. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. 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). The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. -- Tahoe's Hidden Castle. [1][2] They also owned homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. Impressed by her architect nephew Lennart Palme's Nordic-inspired home in New York, Mrs. Knight travelled to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and . Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Lora Josephine Small Knight I found on Findagrave.com. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Together, they designed, built, and decorated the castle with authentic materials shipped in from Northern Europe. James Hobart Moore passed away in 1916 at their home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She spent 15 summers in the house and, along with her numerous guests, enjoyed the nature, wildlife and peaceful tranquility of the estate until her death in 1945. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. 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. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. The house he created for her is called Cima del Mundo. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. 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. 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. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Tahoe has a handful of historic mansions along its shoreline that date back to the late 1800s and first quarter of the 20th century. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. 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. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. [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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. She enjoyed the property for years, until her passing in 1945. Failed to report flower. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. In fact, Vikingsholm was commissioned by Mrs Lora Josephine Knight who had been in love with Scandinavian fjords. 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. She also exhibited baskets made by the famous Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee. 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. 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. 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). The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. GREAT NEWS! Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. 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. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Read our E-edition from your preferred device. The natural setting of Lake Tahoe reminded her of Northern Europe. Specifically: Private Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110560461/lora-josephine-knight. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. 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. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. For a birthday present, his father wrote him a check for $100,000. The only way to get to Fannette Island is by boat, kayak, or canoe. Oops, something didn't work. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. 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. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. Mrs. Knights Emerald Bay castle, called Vikingsholm, is an homage to Scandinavian architecture. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. 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. 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. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. 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. . based on information from your browser. Learn more about managing a memorial . Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Family members linked to this person will appear here. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Burial Burial Details Unknown. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. After their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail and he died in 1916, leaving Lora an estate worth $15 million. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. 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. [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. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. 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. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. 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. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. What Makes It Unique: In the late 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased land on Emerald Bay. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Failed to remove flower. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. 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. Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. . During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. This tour passes by many beautiful spots around the lake shores, including the shores of beautiful Emerald Bay, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight's Vikingsholm Castle and Tea House at Fanette Island, Eagle Waterfall and more. This browser does not support getting your location. In total, construction of Vikingsholm was estimated to cost $500,000. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Today, Vikingsholm welcomes tourists from across the planet. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. 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