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Vikingsholm (Emerald Bay)

Emerald Bay State Park, Emerald Bay, CA 96150

Price of admission: Adults: $5; Children Under 12: Free (Hiking & enjoying the grounds are free. Tours afford access to the interior of Vikingsholm.)

Website - None listed. Visit website

Hours of Operations: Tours Available June through Sept. from 10 to 4p. 530-541-6498

Keywords: cultural, emerald bay, history, indoor, Lake Tahoe, Nature, science, vikingsholm

Lora J. Knight purchased the land, upon which the Vikingsholm is built, from the William Henry Armstrong in 1928.

Mrs. Knight's land included the only island (Fanette Island) in Lake Tahoe and the only water fall (Eagle Falls) flowing directly into the Lake.

Magnificent cedars and pines set off by shear granite cliffs make this one of the most scenic areas in the entire United States.

Mrs. Knight wanted to build a summer home that would compliment the magnificent natural surroundings. Emerald Bay reminded her of many of the fjords she had seen on numerous travels to Scandinavia. She commissioned her nephew by marriage, Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect, to design the plans.

In the summer of 1928 Mrs. Knight and the Palmes traveled to Scandinavia to gather the ideas they wanted to incorporate in Vikingsholm. Vikingsholm was completed in the fall of 1929 and occupied by Mrs. Knight, her staff of 15 and many guests in June of 1930.

Mrs. Knight enjoyed 15 summers at Vikingsholm. She always had a home full of guests to share this magnificent summer home with her.

Mrs. Knight passed away, at the age of 82, in 1945. After her death, the home was sold to Lawrence Holland, a rancher from Nevada. He subsequently sold it to Harvey West, a lumberman from Placerville, California.

In the early 1950s, Mr. West, a noted philanthropist, negotiated with the State of California and said he would donate one-half of the appraised value of the land, as well as the Vikingsholm itself outright, if the State would pay him the other half. This arrangement was agreed upon, and in 1953 the house and property were acquired by the State.

Vikingsholm is considered to be one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture existing in the United States. It is now a part of the Harvey West Unit of the Emerald Bay State Park.

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