Vikingsholm Emerald Bay State Park
Lake Tahoe, CA

Vikingsholm, at Lake Tahoe, California is one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture in the western hemisphere. Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island in 1928.

Two hundred workers were brought to Emerald Bay and started hand-hewing the timbers, carving the intricate designs, hand planning the wood for the interior walls, forging the hinges and latches, and completing the stonework. Some sections of the home contain no nails, pegs, or spikes. One of the interesting architectural designs is the sod roof which covers both the north and south wings of the complex.

Heritage Architecture & Planning prepared a Historic Structures Report (HSR) for the Main House and auxiliary buildings located on site. The HSR provided a clear description of each of the building's architectural history: its original appearance, what changes were made and when and its present condition. It also provided guidance for proposed new work.