In
1969, Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark for its brilliant
panorama of mountain-building processes and glacier carved granite.
The natural beauty, geology and history of this unique island make it one of the
highlights of any visit to the Lake Tahoe area.
The park features Vikingsholm, one of the finest examples of Scandinavian
architecture in the western hemisphere. The "Tea House" on Fannette
Island, the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe.
Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. It is the resting
place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of
the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the
construction of Vikingsholm.
The park is located 22 miles south of Tahoe City.
Vikingsholm can be reached by parking in the Harvey West parking lot by
Highway 89 at Emerald Bay. Take the trail, which is one mile in length and drops
500 feet in elevation to the house.
Fannette Island is located in the bay on the west shore of Lake Tahoe.
The Boat Camp is on the north side of Emerald Bay, about 1/2 mile east of
Fannette Island located in the bay on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, at the site
of the old Emerald Bay Resort.
Vikingsholm is one of the finest examples of
Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight
purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island
in 1928 for $250,000.
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. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928, and
was started up again in the spring of 1929.
Two hundred workers were brought to Emerald Bay and started hand hewing the
timbers, carving the intricate designs, hand planing the wood for the interior
walls, and forging the hinges and latches. Most of the materials to construct
the home 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. The ideas for the
construction came from buildings dating as far back as the 11th century. Some
sections of the home contain no nails, pegs, or spikes.
One of the interesting architectural designs is the sod roof which covers both
the north and south wings of the complex. The interior of the home has paintings
on some of the ceilings and walls and two intricately carved dragon beams. The
six fireplaces are of Scandinavian design with unusual fireplace screens.
Most of the furnishings in the home were originally selected by Mrs. Knight and
reflect typical pieces used in Scandinavian homes of the period. A number of
original antiques were purchased and others were reproduced to exact detail,
even to the aging of the wood and duplication of scratches.
The furnishings on the second floor were reproduced from the architects drawings
of 18th and 19th century museum pieces. A step into Vikingsholm is like a step
back into medieval times and a chance to gain an appreciation of a unique style
of architecture and the person who had it built.
| Operating Hours:
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Tours every 1/2 hour |
Fannette is the only island to be found in all of Lake
Tahoe. It is located in beautiful Emerald Bay on the west shore of the lake. A
sparsely timbered, brush covered upthrust of granite that rises 150 feet above
the water, Fannette Island was not always known by that name. During the past
100 years it has been known as Coquette, Fannette, Baranoff, Dead Man's,
Hermit's, and Emerald Isle. Fannette was the name that finally stuck.
Geologists know that Emerald Bay was gouged out by glaciers thousands of years
ago. So why did Fannette Island remain? It is believed that the island is a
resistant rib of granite rock which was overridden by the glacial ice.
The stone structure on top that looks like a miniature castle is the "Tea
House" built during the same time that Vikingsholm was constructed, from
1928-29. After being transported to the island by motorboat, Mrs. Knight and her
guests would occasionally be served tea there. A small fireplace in the corner
and a large oak table and four oak chairs in the center of the 16 by 16 foot
room gave it a very rustic appearance.
The tea house has been vandalized in recent years and today only the stone shell
remains.
Camping is prohibited and dogs are not allowed on the island.
From February 1 through June 15 the island is closed to all visitors. During
this period several pairs of Canadian geese nest on the island. Due to the
virtual absence of predators, this is an ideal location for nesting. There may
be as many as 100 geese on or near the island in the early spring. By late
spring it is not uncommon to see families of geese swimming along the shoreline
near Vikingsholm.
Emerald
Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. As a scuba diver in Emerald
Bay, you will enjoy an experience unavailable to most visitors to the lake. You
have the opportunity to view and touch the artifacts of an age long past.
Emerald Bay State Underwater Park is the resting place for many boats, launches
and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of
Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm.
Please be aware as you view and enjoy these artifacts that we all have the
responsibility of protecting them for others to see and enjoy. All artifacts you
find while diving in the State Parks are protected by state law and may not be
taken or disturbed regardless of size or value.
In 1994 the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in cooperation with the California
Department of Parks and Recreation installed a mooring buoy at the barge dive
site located on the southern shore of Emerald Bay. Two historic barges lay in
35' of water at this site. This is also the location of a dump site possibly
used by Emerald Bay Resort and others from 1884 until 1953. Small artifacts from
the dump may be found at the Northwest corner of the western most barge. Please
leave in place all artifacts you may find.
Emerald Bay Resort was situated on the North shore of Emerald Bay where Boat
Camp is currently located. If you dive in this area you will find a variety of
artifacts from the resort including telephone batteries, old tires, sinks,
toilets, an old pier, a diving platform, at least five dories and two launches.
One diver even reported seeing a model A Ford!
