It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. 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. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. 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. 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. 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). Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. For more information see the California Parks Website. 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. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. Tahoe has a handful of historic mansions along its shoreline that date back to the late 1800s and first quarter of the 20th century. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the house. The house is available for guided tours . In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought land on the western shores of Lake Tahoe on which to build her home. 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. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. Year should not be greater than current year. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Swimming is out, most trails are off limits, and the river is too swollen for rafting. Sorry! There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The Later Years. Lick leaned toward Von Schmidts recommendation, but the dying benefactor designated a committee to make the final decision. 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. After traveling to Scandinavia Mrs. Knight along with her architect returned to the Lake Tahoe area and started construction on the Castle with ideas they gathered on their European tour. But the story of Mrs. Knight and her Vikingsholm stand apart from the rest. Many remember her because of her generous . 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. 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. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. 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. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. 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 Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. 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.. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. After Edward Smalls death, William and James took over the firm and formed the Moore Brothers partnership. Weather and vandalism have left the Tea House in a miserable condition. They traveled across Scandinavia for research and inspiration before laying the foundation in the late summer of 1928 for Vikingsholm. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Since this is my blog and I get to say whatever I want, I think Morris would've approved of . Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Vikingsholm, Lake Tahoe, California, built from 1928 to 1929 as a summer home for Lora Josephine Knight. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). He was 25. And let's face it, if you were as rich as she . In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. Tahoe historian Mark McLaughlinis a nationally published author and professional speaker and former freelance writer for Tahoe Magazine. She had a single-lane dirt road constructed to the property so her and her guest could arrive by car. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. . I've heard stories about the wealthy woman who built the teahouse on the island. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. 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. Today, the historic estate feels almost as much a part of Emerald Bay as Eagle Falls, Fanette Island or the centuries-old trees. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. . Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. 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. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . The family spent most of their time in Chicago but vacationed in California often. 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. Try again. 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. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. [1][2][5][6] Lindbergh even stayed at the Knight's house the night before his flight. 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. 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. 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 . Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. Creator of Vikingsholm, Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. 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. Vikingsholm Castle . The Vikingsholm foundation was laid in 1928, but the building was constructed in 1929 by 200 workers. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? 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. They visited Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as they inspected buildings dating back 1,000 years. The items she couldnt import she had replicated. 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. She also happened to have a Swedish architect for a nephew. 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. After years of bickering, the Lick Observatory was finally constructed in 1888 on Mount Hamilton east of San Jose. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. During the summer months she would take guests to the island for high tea. There was a problem getting your location. The history of the castle and its visionary, Lora Josephine Knight, is fascinating. The castle was built in 1929 and commissioned by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who drew similarities between Lake Tahoe and the fjords of Scandinavia. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. Loras marriage to Harry Knight didnt last for more than a couple of years before they divorced. She enjoyed the property for years, until her passing in 1945. In the 1960s, the property was vandalized, especially the teahouse, which is now only four rock walls and empty squares for windows. 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. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. 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. It became the summer home for Mrs. Knight and her family for 15 years until her death. Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. 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. Soon after, Lindbergh approached the Knights to fund his groundbreaking trans-Atlantic flight. 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. Today, Lora Knights Viking castle is considered perhaps the finest example of Scandinavian architecture in North America. Oops, we were unable to send the email. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. Weve updated the security on the site. 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. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Please try again later. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . The castle was constructed as a summer home for the very wealthy Lora Josephine Knight. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. 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. Friends spent many summers with Mrs. Knight at Vikingsholm, swimming, boating, and hiking . Before starting construction, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to . It was there in 1914 that Moore built a charming lakefront estate that she called Wychwood. Touring Vikingsholm is a must. var obConfig = { footer: '' }; What is your prediction for precipitation totals this winter season? Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. 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. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. 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). Lora and her sister Ada married two brothers, William and James Moore, who worked as partners in their fathers law firm. 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. Harry met Charles Lindbergh on the St. Louis airfield, according to historian Mark McLaughlin. 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. . Many people assume that Mrs. Knight was of Scandinavian origin because of her decision to build Vikingsholm but she was actually of English decent. She then had 200 workers build Vikingsholm. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "lorajosephineknight" Flickr tag. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Lora and James Moore moved to Santa Barbara for the ocean air. Designed by Lennart Palme and Matt Green, the 38-room mansion features a stone facade with Scandinavian Gothic influences, with the stone facade influenced by churches and castles of southern Sweden and wooden elements inside and out . A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. McLaughlin says the replicas were so exact, Knight even had the ages of the wood matched and scratch marks on the original copied. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. What Makes It Unique: In the late 1920s, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased land on Emerald Bay. 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. 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. Hence the Viking-inspired home on the lake. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. Search. 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. Set off on the steep trail down to the lakeside. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. GREAT NEWS! 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. Resend Activation Email. She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. 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