lora josephine knight

Currently it is used as a hiking trail by those wishing to visit this remarkable castle. Mrs. Knight had it graded in 1929 for $10,000 so that she and her guests could arrive by automobile. 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. 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. Small was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 to lawyer Edward Small. Emerald Bay State Park, South Lake Tahoe, Ca.. Editor's note: This story originally ran in January 2021. 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 . You have chosen this person to be their own family member. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. 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. 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 Santa Barbara, Knight built a 22,000-square-foot villa on the hillside of Montecito. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. In the winter, Vikingsholm is quiet. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Julie Brown is a freelance writer and former contributing editor at SFGATE. 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. Oak Hill Cemetery. Experienced and knowledgeable guides take you on a 30-minute touryou'll learn about owner Lora Josephine Knight, who thought that Emerald Bay resembled the fjords. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. In 1928 Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. A curious man, Lick had always been interested in astronomy. [1] She became one of the wealthiest women in America according to newspapers at the time. EDITORS NOTE: This article was originally published in the Summer 2017 edition of Tahoe Magazine. His nationally reported death led to a crackdown on Chicago brothels and morphine abuse. Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. [5] Despite the divorce, Lora continued to use her ex-husband's last name. Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. var obConfig = { footer: 'View All Events | Add your event' }; 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. 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. 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. Architect Palme estimated the projects total cost at $500,000. Laura Josephine "Lora" Small Knight Birth 1 May 1864. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Commissioned by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home, Knight wanted someplace that reflected the beauty of the surrounding area. Looking out into Emerald Bay, it's easy to feel transported to Europe. She writes about Lake Tahoe and mountain communities throughout the West. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight bought the Armstrong's land with the desire to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. 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. Try again later. There was an error deleting this problem. Small, was a corporate lawyer who accepted two . 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. 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. Come summer, the hiking trails are full of visitors, and state parks rangers open the castle for guided tours. Please enter your email and password to sign in. She had a single-lane dirt road constructed to the property so her and her guest could arrive by car. It was originally constructed to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight who had been impressed by her architect nephew's Nordic-inspired home in New York. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the house. Her father was a corporate lawyer who partnered with two brothers, William Henry Moore and James Hobart Moore. . It took 200 workers to complete the building. [4] She died at Vikingsholm in 1945 at the age of 82. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928 and was started up again in the spring of 1929. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. 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. As fate would have it, Lora married James and her sister Ada married William. Visitors can hike down to the home and tour it. 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. 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. But in 1910, Nathaniel suddenly died. The only way to get to Fannette Island is by boat, kayak, or canoe. Your email address will not be published. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Mrs. Knights Emerald Bay castle, called Vikingsholm, is an homage to Scandinavian architecture. This marriage was not successful, and they were divorced prior to the building of Vikingsholm. 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. ). Unfortunately, they were not happy together and divorced after just a couple of years. 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. She had a granite teahouse that resembled a small castle built on the crest of the island. Drugs were suspected. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the . Learn more about managing a memorial . Lora Knight filled her castle with original antiques she picked up in Scandinavia. The castle was built in 1929 and commissioned by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, who drew similarities between Lake Tahoe and the fjords of Scandinavia. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. But since then, the state park has preserved Vikingsholm, and Knights legacy, for hundreds of thousands of visitors who arrive every year. Stones were quarried from the back of their property, where Eagle Falls spills over granite cliffs. Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. This browser does not support getting your location. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. She and her husband backed Charles Lindbergh's flight. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864 of English descent. . 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. You can always change this later in your Account settings. [2][7], In 1927, she divorced Harry Knight, charging him with "extreme cruelty. [1][3] She also built a small teahouse on Fannette Island inside the bay. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. It was built in a single summer. In total, construction of Vikingsholm was estimated to cost $500,000. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. They also spent time at their luxury homes in Illinois and Wisconsin. 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. Lora Josephine Knight fell in love with the spot on Emerald Bay, as it reminded her of the fjords she had visited in Scandinavia. 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.. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Inspired by 11th century Nordic churches and castles, Knight commissioned detailed wood carvings to be placed throughout the interior and exterior. In 1922, Lora Moore married Harry French Knight, a stockbroker. The house included stables for 60 horses and a bowling alley. . 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. - Ranked #2 of 131 attractions in South Lake Tahoe (Emerald Bay). [2] Her $3 million estate went mostly to relatives and church and educational organizations. She also exhibited baskets made by the famous Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee. They agreed to be major supporters. 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. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with its steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. Knight had become acquaintances with the Armstrongs through church affiliations and after the purchase she would build her majestic Vikingsholm the following year. 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 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. There is a single-lane dirt road that connects Vikingsholm with Highway 89. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. The items she couldnt import she had replicated. This tour passes by many beautiful spots around the lake shores, including the shores of beautiful Emerald Bay, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight's Vikingsholm Castle and Tea House at Fanette Island, Eagle Waterfall and more. Search. The figure the Armstrongs couldnt walk away from was $250,000, about $3.7 million when adjusted for inflation. In 1922, Lora married Harry French Knight. And let's face it, if you were as rich as she . 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. 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. Pieces of wood resembling spikes adorn the gutters in a nod to the Scandinavian custom people used to ward off evil spirits. GREAT NEWS! Vikingsholm was built by Lora Josephine Knight as a summer home. She made financial contributions stretching from Santa Barbara, CA, to Reno, NV, and went toward youth groups, community centers, and college scholarships. Specifically: Private Memorial, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110560461/lora-josephine-knight. It's a steep . Family members linked to this person will appear here. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. 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. [4], Knight was known for her hospitality, philanthropy, and eye for real estate. This "summer" home was built on 239 acres of land purchased by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight for $250,000 in 1928. [1] He won a gold medal in the 1904 Summer Olympics as part of American golf team, and was known for his lavish parties, but died at 25 in 1910 after a night in "Chicago's most famous and expensive house of prostitution," which made national news and led to a citywide crackdown on brothels and morphine abuse in Chicago. Nearly all of the materials were sourced on site or nearby. 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. Apparently, she chose the Scandinavian motif because she had admired Palmes own Scandinavian-designed home in New York. 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. Lora Small (Knight) was born in Galena, Illinois, in 1864. Mrs. Knight had Vikingsholm built for her as a summer home in 1929. Not a lot to do there, except hike up to the Tea House and take some photos. Life was good for the Moores, but after their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail. It is an enjoyable little kayak excursion to the island. Weve updated the security on the site. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. This spectacular site was originally built to be the summer residence of Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. 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. 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. In fact, Vikingsholm was commissioned by Mrs Lora Josephine Knight who had been in love with Scandinavian fjords. The park is also, oddly, the home of Vikingsholm, a replica of a Scandinavian castle. It was the first permanently occupied mountaintop observatory in the world and for nearly 10 years its telescope was the largest ever built. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. And, as a friend of Charles Lindbergh, she provided financial support for his flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Add to your scrapbook. 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. The legacy of Lora Knight and why Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in North America. She exhibited Indian baskets, including some by the noted Washoe weaver Dat-So-La-Lee, also known as Louisa Keyser. For more information see the California Parks Website. Despite its ancient motif, Vikingsholm had all the conveniences available in the 1930s, including electricity, modern fixtures and private baths in the bedrooms. Please reset your password. Sometimes government officials did not allow these native heirlooms removed from the country, so Knight had craftsmen reproduce them in exact detail, including the aging of the wood and even mimicking scratches on the originals. They agreed to be major supporters. Nathaniel later married Helen Fargo, of Wells Fargo Bank. Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news. Search above to list available cemeteries. "[8] She risked losing her entire fortune from her first marriage as part of the divorce. [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. Emerald Bay also reminded her of a Norwegian fjord with it steep surrounding slopes and deep blue water. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the home. Knight had already spent 16 summers in Tahoe before she built Vikingsholm. She also clearly had an eye for real estate. Harry was an amateur pilot and Harry and Laura were among Charles Lindberghs major donors for his solo Atlantic flight. After their purchase of the Tahoe property, James health began to fail and he died in 1916, leaving Lora an estate worth $15 million. Those wishing to know more can enjoy one of the daily guided tours from Memorial Day weekend until the end of September. There was a boathouse for Knights largest boat, a beautiful mahogany cabin cruiser named the Valkyrie. Lora and her husband, James, traveled extensively in California and to foreign countries. Visitors, like Conn, sometimes leave . The house is available for guided tours . From the mountainside, you can see Fanette Island and just barely make out the box-like shape of a stone teahouse on top. Brown grew up on Tahoe's West Shore. She then commissioned Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect to whom she was related by marriage, to design Vikingsholm. The widowed heiress is Lora Josephine Knight. Harry met Charles Lindbergh on the St. Louis airfield, according to historian Mark McLaughlin. By the 1870s Lick was in poor health, but still fiercely determined to build the observatory. 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