lora josephine knight

It was there she decided to build a structure that would incorporate the atmosphere and design of an old Viking castle of stone construction. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. This teahouse was used by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who also owned the famous Vikingsholm mansion. 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 writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. . In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. This is a carousel. 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. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. It was paradise, as Mrs. William H. Armstrong described, offering a safe harbor, beautiful white sand beach, wildflowers, pure ice-cold water, matchless cliffs, mammoth pine and cedar, waterfalls and an exquisite island. They didnt want to leave. 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. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. 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. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. 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. . 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. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. The late owner, Lora Josephine Knight also commissioned the building of tea house in Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe's only island. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? [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. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. 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). - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. 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. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. 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. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. GREAT NEWS! All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. But nature is the real draw. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. 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. 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. The house he created for her is called Cima del Mundo. She also exhibited baskets made by the famous Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Bliss . A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. 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. Over 200 artisans, some from Scandinavia, and workmen constructed the estate by hand hewing the timbers, carving the intricate designs, hand planning the wood for the interior walls, and forging the hinges and latches. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. 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. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. They built the mansion using construction methods from as far back as the 11th century. 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. 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. 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. The Vikingsholm castle greets visitors to Emerald Bay. 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. 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. I often visit Emerald Bay to go hiking. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. And if you're visiting in the summer, you can take a tour of the property. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. 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. Before starting construction, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to . I imagined they wore summer dresses, carried parasols and sipped tea out of fine china, while enjoying Emerald Bays glory all by themselves. She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. [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. Oops, something didn't work. Read our E-edition from your preferred device. To use this feature, use a newer browser. First, Huell . The house had modern fixtures, electricity, and each bedroom had a private bath. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park. At his 21st birthday party, all of the guests were given pearl necklaces. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. 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. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. Scandinavia comes to Lake Tahoe at a historic home. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. She and her friends would take a motor boat from her mansion on the shore out to the island in the afternoon. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. 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. 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. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight chose Emerald Bay to build her castle, Vikingsholm. There, visitors tour Vikingsholm, a stone-and-timber mansion built by Lora Josephine Knight in 1929 at Emerald Bay, which reminded her of a Scandinavian fjord. With her first husband, she had a 27-room estate at Lake Geneva, a retreat for Midwestern tycoons, according to the Chicago Tribune. This is a carousel with slides. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. 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. . After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Born of English decent but from the Chicago area, Mrs. Knight was particularly enthralled by Nordic designand so became Vikingsholm. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. Louis. 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Oops, we were unable to send the email. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. "A woman ahead of her time, who was remarkable: Forward thinking, generous, and resourceful. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. The Later Years. Laura Josephine "Lora" Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. Burial Burial Details Unknown. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. 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. 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. Now the property is a California State Park and can be visited year-round with tours of the Vikingsholm interior in summer months. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. 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. 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Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. 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. ). Our mission is to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the Lake Tahoe and Truckee region. Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. As soon as the snow melted in spring 1929, some 200 craftsmen arrived to build Vikingsholm. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. 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. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. Add to your scrapbook. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. 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. Chicago brothels and morphine abuse visited year-round with tours of the wealthiest in. Had modern fixtures, electricity, and resourceful, the Lick Observatory was finally in... 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