Vikingsholm

Vikingsholm is one of the greatest examples of Scandinavian structure 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 beginning development of the summer season domestic late that year, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to acquire ideas for the building of the house. Work on the home ceased at first snowstorm in the iciness of 1928, and used to be commenced up again in the spring of 1929. Two hundred workers had been delivered to Emerald Bay and began hand hewing the timbers, carving the problematic designs, hand planing the wood for the interior walls, and forging the hinges and latches. Most of the materials to assemble the domestic came from the Tahoe Basin. Trees have been reduce for their dimension and lack of knots, and the granite for the basis and partitions was once quarried from behind the house. The thoughts for the building came from buildings dating as far returned as the eleventh century. Some sections of the home contain no nails, pegs, or spikes. One of the fascinating architectural designs is the sod roof which covers both the north and south wings of the complex. The indoors of the home has art work on some of the ceilings and walls and two intricately carved dragon beams. The six fireplaces are of Scandinavian layout with uncommon fireplace screens. Most of the furniture in the domestic had been at the beginning selected with the aid of Mrs. Knight and mirror usual portions used in Scandinavian houses of the period. A wide variety of authentic antiques had been purchased and others had been reproduced to exact detail, even to the growing old of the wood and duplication of scratches. The furnishings on the 2nd ground were reproduced from the architects drawings of 18th and 19th century museum pieces. A step into Vikingsholm is like a step lower back into medieval instances and a hazard to achieve an grasp of a special style of architecture and the man or woman who had it built. Vikingsholm can be reached with the aid of parking in the Vikingshom parking lot by Highway 89 at Emerald Bay. Access to decrease Vikingsholm is by means of a steep one mile trail that drops 500 toes in elevation to the house. two two WARNING: two Visitors with clinical stipulations or mobility issues ought to now not strive this hike. THERE ARE NO RIDES OUT. Visitors are welcome to hike down to Vikingsholm any time of year, but please be aware: In the winter, snow and ice can lead to hazardous conditions. Before identifying to hike in the snow, think about if you have fabulous footwear, clothing, food and water supply, and stamina level. Cell phones may no longer have reception. There are no offerings or consuming water from Oct - May. Restrooms are on hand year-round at the bottom. Round-trip to Vikingsholm and returned is 2 miles with 400 ft elevation gain.