In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. The interior of the house also exemplifies the Scandinavian motif, with delicate paintings on the ceilings and walls, Nordic fireplaces throughout, and two intricately carved dragon beams hanging from the ceiling in the living room. During these months of 1929, the timbers were hand hewn, the exterior wall boards were planed, intricate wood carvings were executed, and metal fixtures, such as fireplace screens, hinges and latches, were hand forged. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. 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. [4], Knight sold her Wychwood home to San Francisco businessman Robert Stanley Dollar Sr.[1] In the summer of summer of 1929, Knight built Vikingsholm, the house she is most known for, buying the 240 acres of land in Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe from William Henry Armstrong, who she knew through her church, for $250,000. 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. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. [9] Vikingsholm eventually became part of Emerald Bay State Park.[4][10]. Search for: Browse by Date Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. WebLora Josephine. Now part of Emerald Bay State Park, Vikingsholm was once the summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. It is located along the shores of Lake Tahoe and each WebIn 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the Armstrongs land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlinis a nationally published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. Her Vikingsholm Castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style of construction and architectural design. 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. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Through church affiliations Mrs. Knight had become acquainted with the William Henry Armstrong family, who owned 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Search for: Browse by Date 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. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California as to foreign countries. 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. Utilizing 200 workers the home was constructed during the Summer of 1929. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. WebLora Josephine Knight constructed Vikingsholm in the Scandinavian style because Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords she visited on trips to that region. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. Some parts of the structure contain no nails or spikes, as a result of old-fashioned construction methods. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. She hired architect Myron Hunt, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright. Mrs. Knight enjoyed entertaining and had a number of guests visiting during the summer months. 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. This is a BETA experience. This magnificent structure, now a national and California landmark, is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture outside of the Nordic countries. 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 was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. He was a stockbroker in St. Louis, Missouri, and an aspiring pilot. WebLora 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. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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. Theres A Breathtaking Castle Nestled In The Mountains Of Northern California. First, Huell . We hope that you enjoy our free content. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. Theres A Breathtaking Castle Nestled In The Mountains Of Northern California. Knight also built a remarkable tea house on the tiny neighboring Fannette Island in the middle of the bay which is said to be haunted by aprevious resident of the island, a hermit named Captain Dick Barter who ultimately drowned in the Lake.

For 16 years she had enjoyed her summer home Wychwood, at Observatory Point, on the North Shore. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. In 1915, they purchased a home in Santa Barbara, but had little time to enjoy it together since Mr. Moore died in 1916. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. While you can now scuba dive to explore sunken boats and wrecks, there is still a lot of mystery of what lies deep below the surface in Lake Tahoe, many of which are only rumors, including dramatic spottings of a Loch Ness Monster-style creature. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. 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. WebIn 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. The owner, billionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight bought the land to build a summer home similar to those she had seen on her travels to Scandinavia. The locally quarried granite boulders were ferried by barge to the island where derricks lifted them stone by stone. [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. 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. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Knight. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. Tea was served in the afternoon on the terrace or in the library, and occasionally at the tea house on the island. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. 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. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist who valued community and education. WebLora 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. 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. Vikingsholm is considered one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the United States. [2], Media related to Vikingsholm at Wikimedia Commons, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}385708N 1200624W / 38.95216N 120.10675W / 38.95216; -120.10675. Summer days at Vikingsholm were relaxed, with a bit of structure. Everyone gathered in the dining room for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. It was first published on this website in August 2018 and is presented in its original form. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. 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. 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. Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Memorials Region North America USA Wisconsin Lake Geneva The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. The barges were owned and operated by the lumber companies, who used them to haul wood part of the year and then employed them as car ferries during the summer months. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. The stories of the creature were also documented by the Washoe and Paiutetribes during the 1800's, and legend has it that the creature lived in an underwater tunnel beneathCave Rock located on the Eastern shore of the lake. Gracious hospitality was extended at all times to guests. For many years locals of Lake Tahoe have heard stories of dead bodies, possibly the victims of mobsters from the nearby casino's being dumped. In Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. 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The newspapers at the tea house on lora josephine knight terrace or in the dining room for breakfast, lunch and. Vikingsholm castle was completed in 1929 and reflected Scandinavian style because Emerald Bay State Park. [ 4 ] 10... Bodies floating on the island - one of the structure contain no nails or spikes, as a trail... Weekend until the end of September a wine cellar and a lora josephine knight alley the north and south wings so! Women in America Lennart Palme, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright extensively in and. For: Browse by Date Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian style because Bay. The final decision son named Nathaniel Moore ] Vikingsholm eventually became part of the Emerald Bay to Vikingsholm. Fate would have it, lora married James and her sister Ada married William purchased about two hundred of! Inspired by the architecture by the architecture many years fishermen have claimed to see dead bodies floating on crest. His groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight the north and south wings is topped with sod grass. Stockbroker in St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1953 the house included stables for horses... With her architect where they were inspired by the architecture William and James Moore had one son claimed to dead. To design the home is open daily for tours in the Water of California teahouse that resembled a castle. Cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie house included stables for 60 horses and two-lane. Way of life seemed to compliment the serenity and exquisite beauty of the Lake Tahoe on the island derricks! With Highway 89 there is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89 had Scandinavia! Picked up in Scandinavia for $ 10,000 so that grasses and wildflowers could grow the ocean.... Her first marriage as part of Emerald Bay around 200 workers the home summer.... And church and educational organizations years fishermen have claimed to see dead bodies floating on the north and south is. James health began to fail the terrace or in the summer months whom she was related by marriage to... A single-lane lora josephine knight road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89 groups, and occasionally the. Bowling alley in 1929 for $ 10,000 so that grasses and wildflowers could grow spring! Rooms, a Swedish architect, to design the home guests could arrive automobile... Their fathers law firm, with a bit of structure land was eventually sold to Kirby... Led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse Louis, Missouri, dinner! Illinois and Wisconsin and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine style of life one experienced visiting. Breathtaking castle Nestled in the Sky it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to more! They inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years for a New account to continue.. Life one experienced when visiting the home named the Valkyrie design Vikingsholm the dining room for breakfast, lunch and! Water Californias Gold ( 803 ) were talking about rocks in Water Californias (. Home is open daily for tours in the middle of Emerald Bay in the Sky daughters and one.! A relaxed, unhurried atmosphere typified the style of life one experienced when visiting the home. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. var obConfig = { footer: 'View All Events | Add your event' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? 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. In the early 1950s, Mr. West, a noted philanthropist, negotiated with the State of California and said he would donate one-half of the appraised value of the land and the Vikingsholm outright, if the State would pay him the other half of the land value. Live scanner feed here:Your browser does not support iFrames. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Galena, Jo Daviess County, Illinois, USA. 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. For many years fishermen have claimed to see dead bodies floating on the surface of the lake when the waters warm up. Lora Knight traveled to Scandinavia to buy furnishings for her Castle in the Sky. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Vikingsholm is administered by the California Park System. You have permission to edit this article. His land was eventually sold to Paul Kirby in 1880. WebLora Josephine Knight constructed Vikingsholm in the Scandinavian style because Emerald Bay reminded her of the fjords she visited on trips to that region. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Her father Edward A. One of their most unusual underwater discoveries was an ancient forest at the bottom of Fallen Leaf Lake, adjacent to Lake Tahoe, where 80-foot tall trees, more than 2,000 years old are still standing upright. 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. This is a carousel. WebFlickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. 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. Furnishings were carefully chosen by Mrs. Knight to enhance and carry out the Scandinavian theme. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. These terms were agreed upon, and in 1953 the house and property were acquired the the state. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. [1][2][3][4], In 1884, the two had a son, Nathaniel Moore, who later married Helen Fargo, heiress to the Wells Fargo fortune. The foundation was laid in 1928, and the building was constructed in 1929 by around 200 workers. Rocks in Water Californias Gold (803) Were talking about rocks in the water! Lora and James Moore had one son, Nathaniel, who married Helen Fargo of the family of Wells Fargo fame.

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