Ed
Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park contains one of the finest
remaining natural areas on Lake Tahoe. With nearly two miles of lake frontage,
the park has dense forests of pine, fir, aspen and juniper.
Another attraction is the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion (also known as Pine Lodge), a
summer home built in 1903 in a grove of pine and cedar. From the turn of the
century until 1965, the lands of what is now Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State
Park were owned by financier Isaias W. Hellman, and later by his daughter
Florence Hellman. The mansion provides an interesting view into the lifestyles
of the wealthy on Lake Tahoe.
Location/Directions
The park is located on the west shore of Lake Tahoe, ten miles south of Tahoe
City on Highway 89.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended clothing
Summer temperatures range from about 75 degrees during the day to the low 40s at
night, and winter temperatures average from a high of 40 to a low of 20 degrees.
Facilities - Activities
Hiking & Swimming
Many miles of hiking trails within the park and a swimming beach provide
visitors with a variety of relaxing summer activities.
Fishing
Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park is comprised of over 2,000 acres of
conifer forest in the General Creek drainage. The waters of General Creek are
among the clearest waters flowing into Lake Tahoe and the stream is open to
fishing from mid July to mid September.
Cross-Country Skiing
Winter visitors to the park will find over 20 kilometers of marked cross country
ski trails and a heated restroom in the General Creek campground. Interpretive
presentations on a variety of winter related subjects are presented most
weekends, from January through March.
Nature Center
When you're at Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park, be sure to stop at
the Nature Center located in the day use area by the Erhman Mansion. We now have
a bird display, where visitors can view several species of bird life that occur
in the Tahoe Basin. In addition to birds, visitors can see most of the mammals
and the four major game fish that occur here. Other exhibits include: Biology,
Lake Ecology, Wildflowers, Trees, and a "Touchy-feely" table for the
kids (adults also!).
About the area...
Lake Tahoe lay at the heart of the Washoe Indian territory, and Ed Z'berg -
Sugar Pine Point State Park was the summer home for generations of Washoe
Indians who came to these peaceful shores to hunt and fish. Evidence of their
occupation can still be seen today in the form of bedrock mortars or grinding
rocks just offshore from the Ehrman Mansion.
In 1860, the first permanent settler of record on Lake Tahoe's west shore built
a cabin at the mouth of General Creek. This was the trapper and fisherman
William "General" Phipps, and his cabin can still be seen today just
north of the Ed Z'berg - Sugar Pine Point State Park pier. In 1884, a resort
called Bellevue Hotel was constructed just north of what is now the South
Boathouse, and remained a popular summer destination for Lake Tahoe visitors for
nine years.
In 1897, San Francisco businessman I. W. Hellman began
buying property at Sugar Pine Point and by 1913 had acquired nearly 2000 acres.
His grand but informal summer home, called Pine Lodge, was completed in 1903 and
was considered to be one of the finest in the high Sierra. His daughter,
Florence Hellman Ehrman inherited the estate and she and her husband Sydney
spent many summers here entertaining family and friends.
The building site was originally a sand hill. Tons of topsoil were brought from
the back country to provide the base for lawns and gardens. Most of the building
materials for the house were obtained locally; the granite from Meeks Bay and
the lumber from Hobart Mills, north of Truckee.
The house, designed by Walter Danford Bliss, was equipped with the best and most
modern utility systems including electric lights and complete indoor plumbing.
Steam generators produced electricity until commercial power was available in
1927. Water was obtained from General Creek and later pumped directly from the
Lake.
Outlying buildings include a caretaker's cottage by the lake, the children's
house by the tennis court, maids' quarters, butlers' house, ice house, coach
house, tank house and two boat houses. The Ehrmans owned two boats, the
Comet" and the Cherokee."
Comfortable wicker lounge furniture and a billiard table were to be found on the
porch. The north stone room was used for luncheons and furnished with an oak
dining set. The south stone room was a game room and displayed the family's
collection of Indian baskets and Navajo rugs.
The fireplaces in the living room and the dining room were the primary source of
heat for the house. The living room was furnished in dark, overstuffed furniture
with matching floral drapes. The dining room paneling is hand-woven strips of
redwood and the upper paneling is of hand-woven grass. The elevator was
installed in 1958 to ease access to the second floor.
The wing to the northwest contains the kitchen, pantry and staff dining room.
Two full time cooks and several helpers were employed to prepare meals for the
family, their numerous guests and a live-in staff of twenty-seven. Wood stoves
and an ice box were used in the kitchen until 1945 when a large commercial gas
range and refrigerator were installed.
The spiral staircase rises to the second floor where a hall runs north and south
joining the eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms. The family and quests would stay
here in rooms furnished simply with brass beds and Navajo rugs. The wing over
the kitchen contained a sewing room, linen closet and storage rooms. A back
staircase leads to the 3rd floor staff quarters consisting of four bedrooms, one
bath and many storage closets.
Guests of the Ehrmans participated in various activities on a regular basis.
Mrs. Ehrman usually scheduled hikes, swimming, riding, fishing, boating, tennis,
picnics, croquet and other games.
In 1965 the house and 1,975 acres of the estate were acquired by the California
State Park System. Today the house is maintained as a house museum and as an
example of the opulent tradition in Tahoe summer homes.
