Thanksgiving toast and letter from a visitor to Lake Tahoe in 1876

ROWLAND'S, LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - November 30, 1876 - Yes, this says the following story is from Rowland's Lake Tahoe, and yes, it says November 30, 1876 - 147 years ago. The following is a letter received by the Bradford Opinion and published on February 3, 1877. The weekly newspaper was published from 1874-1881 in Bradford, Vermont.

Rowland's was a community built in 1866 at the end of what is now Lakeview Avenue in South Lake Tahoe (see more here). The following is from a visit to Rowland's and the Thanksgiving visit, dinner, and toast they experienced at the South Shore, exactly as printed so please ignore any errors:

Mr. Editor: (Not intending to be an intruder) I think a description of this mountain spot, and its surroundings would be of interest to many of your readers. When one is traveling, and always "on the go," we try to visit please, and at the same time, interesting places of note. Such a place is Rowland's, Lake Tahoe. Noticing the lake, imagine if you can, a sheet of water, some twenty-eight miles long thirteen wide, imbedded in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 6200 feet above the level of the sea, the water so clear and pure (being snow water) that one can clearly see the bottom at a depth of 200 feet.

Bounded on all sides by the most rugged (and to an artist's eye) beautiful scenery, it is an attraction for all. A bay here, an inlet there, a little nook, now a bold rock jutting out, and then, noticing a little meadow in front, with a high, rough range of hills for a background, one feels assured in saying, "'tis the finest scenery on the coast." Aside from being too enthusiastic your "Adirondack" or "White Mountain" scenery cannot be compared to it. The season lasts some seven months, and during that period, the place is crowded with strangers from the Eastern States.

Dropping in at "Rowland's a few days since, the "Major" (with his usual courtesy,) offered us a trip "around the lake." Being anxious to take it "all in," we gladly accepted the invitation.

Leaving "Rowland" on the "Stanford" Capt. Lapham, we first touched at "Yanks," a quiet, pleasant place, and in the hands of an enterprising party, would prove a success. Going down the shore, we struck "Emerald Bay," a spot of which all our fishermen feel jealous. "Tahoe City" (which, will eventually make a lake resort) was next on the list, and we were hospitably entertained by our friend Bailey. Glenbrook was next in order, a place where saw mills are the only attraction - with three steamers towing rafts across the lake, and being busy at all times; this place proves a valuable acquisition to this section of the country. One would be astonished at the amount of capital invested in the lumber business.

Following up our trip, we landed at "Rowland's", feeling satisfied that our trip, around the lake, was a success. Our host T.B.R., extended a hearty and cordial welcome to all, and added (it being Thanksgiving day) an invitation to dinner - perhaps you think it was not accepted - mistaken. Well! What can I say? Tom Rowland, an old Vermonter, (that's a good word), the best shot here - which is quite an acquisition in this country; his family, well, I'll only say, come and see for yourselves and you'll find them "a host in themselves."

But referring to that dinner, - a merrier, happier party never sat down to one; we do not exclude 5th Avenue.

It was truly, genuine, and by the way, come out next Thanksgiving, and if the above is a mis-statement, we'll gracefully "yield the palm."

As it passed off some one offered the following toast which was accepted - by the party, and though rather crude and rough - it was smooth:

There's many a time, when strangers meet,
And even then, make friends;
Still, if one does, but make an error,
There's a chance to make amends.
Yet on a day like this - "Thanksgiving day"
A day we all should greet;
I trust that all around this Board,
Will shake hands, when they meet.

Tom Rowland, laughing and talking too,
(Of course, he will "chip"in) -
And if one should but check his talk;
He'd swear 'twould be a sin -
The reason, why, I cannot name,
It may be "Davis" or "Grant,"
For they are following and talking;
Attempting to be smart.

Let us notice now the Ladies,
(You always find them "at home")-
I mean Mrs. Rowland and "Flora,"
And they are never left alone -
For why - ask their friends,
Ask Strangers - when in need,
And they all will plainly answer
"They were our friends indeed."

The Valley's pet, (our little "Ding")
Tom Rowland's little girl;
As lively as a cricket;
She just doe mae things "whiz"-
As singing, happy, bright and free,
As blitheful, good and gay
It puts one in mind of other days,
An old "Thanksgiving Day,"

But as we rise to drink this toast,
Lets remember friends most dear,
"Dan Taplin" and "Ky Martin"
Two friends we wish were here -
For friends they were to one and all,
And never made no noise,
But played the man, and did it well;
They are "Green Mountain Boys."

Now as we close this little tale,
Of this merry, happy, time -
We thank our hostess for it,
And wish her "Auld Lang Syne -
For memory will retrace its steps,
"Old Time" will have its sway,
But we hope to meet once more again
At "Rowland's" - "Thanksgiving day."

The article is signed "103" but unsure of who that might be.

Thank you to Melissa Trader of the Al Tahoe Pioneer Cemetery Improvement Committee for finding this article in her research of those buried at the cemetery on Alameda Avenue, South Lake Tahoe. Thomas Rowland had designated a piece of land away from his town to be used as a cemetery. He is buried there, as is his wife Sophronia, and their daughter Flora.

Rowland's became "The" place to party on Lake Tahoe. Rowland's "socials" and "crushers," as dances were called in those days, and it drew "Devil-may-care stags" and "unattached young ladies" from throughout the Sierra. Revelers came by steamboat from Tahoe City and Glenbrook and by carriage and coach from Reno, Carson, Virginia City, and Placerville. Rowland had created the party persona that would belong to Al Tahoe through the AI Sprague and Frank Globin eras. His popularity was such that he was elected to two terms in the California assembly. By the 1880s, Rowland's Station had developed a reputation the Pacific Tourist Guide described as "the first place of resort on the lake."