Bliss . Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. 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. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. What used to be Mrs. Knight and a few guests has now turned into 2.5 . Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928 for $250,000. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The property passed through two more landowners before California State Parks bought 177 acres, including the island and the structures, in 1953 for $150,000. 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. The over 70-foot long Bleu Wave carries up to 50 passengers and includes a private lounge, fireplace and more. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. 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. [2] Her charitable contributions included youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. She writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. 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. . 11 of 25 11. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Failed to report flower. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Failed to delete memorial. The Vikingsholm foundation was laid in 1928, but the building was constructed in 1929 by 200 workers. After their fathers death the two brothers took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership and amassed 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). Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. 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. 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. Tahoe has a handful of historic mansions along its shoreline that date back to the late 1800s and first quarter of the 20th century. In later years, Lindberg frequently visited Lora at her various estates including Vikingsholm. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. [5], In 1924, the Knights hired Myron Hunt to build a home they named Cima del Mundo in Santa Barbara, California on the Montecito hillside. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Read More. 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. Your email address will not be published. [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. 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. 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. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the . In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, purchased about two hundred acres of land at Emerald Bay in the Lake Tahoe region of California. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. Year should not be greater than current year. The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. Read our E-edition from your preferred device. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. The castle was built in the shape of a horseshoe with two wings . Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Friends spent many summers with Mrs. Knight at Vikingsholm, swimming, boating, and hiking . Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. 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 . 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. Your email address will not be published. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. Mrs. Knight had Vikingsholm built for her as a summer home in 1929. 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. 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 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. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the . Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. 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. Search. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. 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. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. 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. 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. Lora Josephine Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. [1] Knight often entertained guests such as her friend Charles Lindbergh at Vikingsholm. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. 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. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. They traveled across Scandinavia for research and inspiration before laying the foundation in the late summer of 1928 for Vikingsholm. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. 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. Oops, something didn't work. [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. 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. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. In total, construction of Vikingsholm was estimated to cost $500,000. 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. Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the 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. 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. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Subscribe and Download now! Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. During construction of the main house Lora turned her attention to Fannette Island in the middle of Emerald Bay. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. The castle was commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight in 1928, as her summer home in an area that reminded her of Scandinavian fjords. It became the summer home for Mrs. Knight and her family for 15 years until her death. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. Its manicured gardens offer panoramic views of the Pacific. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. Please enter your email and password to sign in. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. And let's face it, if you were as rich as she . based on information from your browser. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. 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. Harry met Charles Lindbergh on the St. Louis airfield, according to historian Mark McLaughlin. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. To use this feature, use a newer browser. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. Lora had a life-long reputation for her generous hospitality, philanthropy and numerous financial contributions to youth groups in California and Nevada. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. 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. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. 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. The Castle has 38 rooms, and unusual architecture with a sod roof seeded with wildflowers, dragon heads on the edge of the . A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. Learn more about managing a memorial . I thought you might like to see a memorial for Lora Josephine Small Knight I found on Findagrave.com. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. . For a birthday present, his father wrote him a check for $100,000. This browser does not support getting your location. Hunt also designed the Rose Bowl. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 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. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. In 1922, Lora married Harry French Knight. 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. He grew up much like youd think the single heir to a fortune would, but his time was short. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. 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. Shes recalled some of those memories in a booklet and, more recently, as a park ranger. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden drawing inspiration for centuries old buildings and castles.. Construction of Vikingsholm began in the fall of 1928. Failed to remove flower. Lora Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. 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. 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. Vikingsholm Castle was build as the summer home of millionaire heiress Lora Josephine Knight in 1929. 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. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. 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.. 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 . 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. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. The castle was built in 1929 and commissioned by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who drew similarities between Lake Tahoe and the fjords of Scandinavia. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. But nature is the real draw. It took 200 workers to complete the building. 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. Resend Activation Email. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. For more information see the California Parks Website. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Weather and vandalism have left the Tea House in a miserable condition. The scenery around Emerald Bay reminded her of Norway, so she chose a Scandinavian architectural style for the house. by BlackBoxGuild on Envato Elements Stock Video by BlackBoxGuild. 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. A fortune would, but the building was constructed in 1929 that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust away. 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