Lake Tahoe History

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe History Museum has transformed into a scene of Christmases past, and they are opening up to the whole community on Saturday, December 14 for the free annual Holidays in History Open House.

The museum opens its doors at 11:00 a.m. Enjoy book store specials, a decorated historic cabin, docent tours, and their special spiced cider, all until 7:00 p.m.

Then, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., join in all the reindeer fun! The party moves over to the SLT Recreation Center gym for an evening of free family enjoyment.

STATELINE, Nev. - The 30th annual American Century Championship has gone into the record books as one of the biggest and best golf events in Lake Tahoe history. There was an attendance record of 60,550, an economic impact estimated at $30 million for the Lake Tahoe Basin, and now an additional $100,000 will be given away to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Township non-profits.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - As we say goodbye to one year, and welcome in another, I would be remiss without saying a big "Thank You" to all of the South Tahoe Now readers, contributors and advertisers!

As the only daily digital newspaper serving South Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area it is a tough job to be get everything needed to everybody, but I try! I appreciate the tips and ideas, thank you.

Fire Fest 2018 - Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the Hard Rock Casino Lake Tahoe. Admission is free and it's a great opportunity for families to have fun while learning about fire safety and conservation. There will be a Fire Chiefs dunk tank to raise funds for the Wildland Firefighters Foundation. More info: http://southtahoenow.com/story/09/15/2018/firefest-returns-south-lake-tahoe

Monday night's special session of the South Lake Tahoe City Council was scheduled for not only Brown Act and AB 1234 (ethics) training, but it was also time to interview candidates for the interim position of city manager. Tuesday's Council meeting has a closed session scheduled to name the person to fill the position.

On Tuesday, the Council has a full agenda:

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Join in the holiday fun at the Lake Tahoe History museum complex on Saturday, December 9, 2017.

It all starts at 11:00 a.m., with the decorated museum and cabin both open for tours with hot cider and treats all day. Then, at 5:00 p.m. its all about celebrating with Santa coming by sleigh and rides on the sleigh for all, ukulele Christmas music, the South Lake Tahoe Children's Coral Society, free kids activities including gift making and refreshments.

This is a free event for all ages.

Looking for a fun activity for kids this summer where they get to experience activities from the past, learn a new skill, play games and use their imagination? They'll be learning without being in a classroom.

Children are encouraged to use their imaginations as they are introduced to new skills and traditional games from the past. By applying their new skills,
children will create projects and games they can take home and share with their family and friends.

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society is inviting the whole community to come out to the museum on Saturday, December 10 for their annual Holiday in History.

While the main event starts at 5:00 p.m., children are invited to come by and use their antique World War II phone to make a call to the North pole between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Then, starting at 5:00 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Santa will arrive by sleigh, then everyone can jump on board for free rides.

From quality shopping, accommodations, recreation and dining options to the myriad service providers and businesses, the Blue Ribbon Awards honor all that business should be. This important awards program salutes those businesses that are making significant contributions to the South Shore economy.

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society is holding another one of their popular History Clubs on Saturday, October 22 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the museum. The History Club is designed for children to experience activities from the past, learn a new skill,
play a game, and use their imagination.

Due to limited class size, reservations are required. The cost is $20 per child.

Sign-ups are also being taken for the other two clubs on Saturday, November 4 and December 10.

For more information, or to make reservations, contact the museum at 530-541-5458.

Ever since I moved to South Lake Tahoe two months ago to work at Tallac Historic Site, I have been surprised daily to discover how few locals know the historic site exists. Tallac is located next to Camp Richardson and Fallen Leaf Lake Campground – an area most folks are familiar with – and yet locals constantly wander onto the site from the beach and announce they had no idea this place was here.

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The community is invited to a memorial service on June 11, 2016 for Robert Porter Rockwell, Jr. who was also well known in South Lake Tahoe as “Old Long Skis.” He died on November 3, 2015, and his family and loved ones were waiting for a summer memorial service, where everyone could gather outdoors and celebrate his life.

Are you a museum nut? A mystery lover? If so, the Lake Tahoe Historical Society is holding something right up your alley!

Archivist Marilyn Long will share how to be a historic sleuth. The museum;s collection has 48 years worth of donations, and in some years there have been over 700 items donated, many without a story. Many times, loved ones are going through a relative's belongings after they pass away, offering donations of photos and other things in their collection that they have no clue of origin, only that it is from Lake Tahoe.

The trip is hot and dry. A layer of several feet of dust lined the route, flying around as the wheels of the wagons and hooves of the horses pass over. The road is steep and over granite along the 130 miles from the Carson Valley to Placerville. When not the middle of summer, the road is muddy or buried by snow. A horse could cover the terrain in 24-hours.

The road is Johnson's Cut-off and the year is 1852. It was built by John Calhoun "Cock-eye" Johnson as a way to cut off 50 miles and 2,000 feet in elevation from the common route people took over Donner Summit as they emigrated West.

There is still time to participate in the City of South Lake Tahoe's 50th Anniversary parade on September 19.

They have extended the parade application submission deadline to this Friday, September 4 at 5 p.m. Applications are available online at www.cityofslt.us/50parade or at any City Office.

Unless someone comes forward with the manpower, location and money needed to relocate the historic Barton Ranch Complex at the "Y", it will be torn down. Barton family members were granted the approval for demolition during Monday's Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) special hearings officer meeting.

The public has 21 days to file an appeal to the decision or the TRPA can approve the demolition.

Chautauqua performer Steve Hale will present “George Whittell, Jr." who lived off the interest generated by the millions he inherited from his parents. His enormous assets allowed him to purchase the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe where he built the Thunderbird Lodge in the 1930s. The house was designed by prominent Reno architect Frederick DeLongchamps. This included a six-hundred-foot tunnel connected to a boat house to berth the “Thunderbird”, his fifty-five-foot mahogany yacht.

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Learn about Lake Tahoe history through the photos and words of Bill Kingman when he presents "Then & Now" at the first Fireside Chat of the year.

The Lake Tahoe Historical Society is planning a series of such chats all spring and summer. The first one will be held on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Lodge at Camp Richardson.

The cost is $3 for non-members and free for members. Seating is limited.

I love Lake Tahoe history and have been looking forward to the much anticipated Chautauqua which is coming to Valhalla's Boathouse Theater on Thursday, August 7.

The Lake Tahoe Historical Museum has had the posters of the event up on its walls for months, getting history buffs and locals excited about seeing the likes of Mark Twain, Anita Baldwin, Hank Monk and Pony Express Rider Warren Epson, all who played important roles in Tahoe's past.

Three former governors of the state of Nevada will be part of a dinner and presentation held at the historic Dangberg Ranch in Minden, NV on September 21 from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. Governor Richard Bryan, who was governor from 1983 to 1989 will take part in a panel discussion while the late John Sparks will be portrayed by Chautauquan Michael Fischer. Former Governor Robert List will also be in attendance.

From Mark Twain and Frank Sinatra to teamsters and tourism, the history of Lake Tahoe recorded in a new book by Michael J. Makley brings the region’s many dimensions to life. The noted local author is the featured speaker at the February Frances Humphrey lecture series from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, where he will explore the geology and natural history of Lake Tahoe and the people who shaped its history.

Value-added skiing and boarding has been passed down to three Lake Tahoe area resorts. Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort season passholders can now enjoy free skiing or riding at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows from opening day until December 21, 2012, as well as from April 15, 2013 until closing day.

The regional plan cleared a critical hurdle. No fanfare. No high fives. Not even a story in the local press. Yet an unprecedented moment in Lake Tahoe history transpired last week that may shape the Tahoe Basin for decades to come. That moment was the agreement reached by the Bi-State Consultation group, which should serve as the foundation for the new TRPA regional plan.

But first a little history lesson.