She was born Lora Josephine Small in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 - one of a family of four daughters and one son. 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. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. The late owner, Lora Josephine Knight also commissioned the building of tea house in Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe's only island. Together, they designed, built, and decorated the castle with authentic materials shipped in from Northern Europe. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought land on the western shores of Lake Tahoe on which to build her home. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. The natural setting of Lake Tahoe reminded her of Northern Europe. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. They agreed to be major supporters. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. 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. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the land that encompasses Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000. . They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. Drag images here or select from your computer for Lora Josephine Small Knight memorial. 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. Widowed and then divorced, the newspapers at the time said Knight was one of the wealthiest women in America. The roof of the north and south wings is topped with sod where grass and flowers grow each spring. Edge Country Club as well as stunning views of Smith Mountain Lake and the spectacular golf course, which sits like an emerald surrounded by the blue waters of the lake and lush mountain scenery. [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. Palme and Knight traveled to Scandinavia that summer to research the design features that would be incorporated into her Tahoe castle. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. 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. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. A sprinkler system was even included on the roof. Death 26 Jun 1945 (aged 81) Fresno, Fresno County, California, USA. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. LORA J. KNIGHT. For 32 years, the Armstrong family had spent long, golden summers along the shores of Emerald Bay. Inside the decor is a collection of original and replica antiques. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on quite a few travels to Scandinavia. 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 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 couldn't refuse. It took 200 workers to complete the building. Lora Josephine Knight was a philanthropist from California who was at one time one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspaper reports. A sod roof was installed on the north and south wings, so that grasses and wildflowers could grow. 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.. Today, the historic estate feels almost as much a part of Emerald Bay as Eagle Falls, Fanette Island or the centuries-old trees. Oops, something didn't work. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Readers around Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and beyond make the Sierra Sun's work possible. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. 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 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. 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. . Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. The horse stable housed 60 thoroughbreds. 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. Vikingsholm Castle is a 38-room mansion on the shore of Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. First, Huell . 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. 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. They agreed to be major supporters. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. Newspapers reported that Nathaniels death had a devastating impact on his parents, especially his father, who grew ill soon after. But since then, the state park has preserved Vikingsholm, and Knights legacy, for hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive every year. Required fields are marked *. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. The house he created for her is called Cima del Mundo. Finnish carpenters were then brought in to hew timber, while a Scandinavian craftsman was hired to create the intricate exterior wood carvings. Emerald Bay reminded her of fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. 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. 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. 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. Today, Lora Knight's Viking castle is considered perhaps the . To use this feature, use a newer browser. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. Lora was 20 years old when she gave birth to her only child, a son named Nathaniel Moore. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. In later years, Charles Lindbergh frequently visited Lora Knight at her Santa Barbara estate and the Vikingsholm castle as well. This account has been disabled. In the early 1920s, Lora Small Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker from St. Louis. Their Wisconsin chateau boasted 27 rooms, a wine cellar and a two-lane bowling alley. The items she couldnt import she had replicated. Mrs. Knight had traveled Scandinavia with her architect where they were inspired by the architecture. Your email address will not be published. Von Schmidt chose a site 300 feet above Lake Tahoe on the Chinquapin point, renaming it Observatory Point in anticipation. -- Tahoe's Hidden Castle. 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. Mrs. Knights Emerald Bay castle, called Vikingsholm, is an homage to Scandinavian architecture. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. 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. Failed to report flower. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. The bridge was not the only major . 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. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. 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. 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. After Lora's father passed, the brothers took over the law firm and together, they became incredibly wealthy businessmen based in Chicago. . Tag: Lora Josephine Knight. Astronomers suggested that a high-altitude mountain location above atmospheric dust and away from city light would be the best location. His body was taken to the Moore home, to Lora, in a private ambulance. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. 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. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. $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 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. In total, construction of Vikingsholm was estimated to cost $500,000. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. 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). Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. 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