Vikingsholm 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 for $250,000. Before starting construction of the summer home late that year, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the construction of the house. Work on the home ceased at first snowfall in the winter of 1928, and was started up again in the spring of 1929. Two hundred workers were brought to Emerald Bay and started hand hewing the timbers, carving the intricate designs, hand planing the wood for the interior walls, and forging the hinges and latches. Most of the materials to construct the home came from the Tahoe Basin. Trees were cut for their size and lack of knots, and the granite for the foundation and walls was quarried from behind the house.

The ideas for the construction came from buildings dating as far back as the 11th century. 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. The interior of the home has paintings on some of the ceilings and walls and two intricately carved dragon beams. The six fireplaces are of Scandinavian design with unusual fireplace screens.

Most of the furnishings in the home were originally selected by Mrs. Knight and reflect typical pieces used in Scandinavian homes of the period. A number of original antiques were purchased and others were reproduced to exact detail, even to the aging of the wood and duplication of scratches. The furnishings on the second floor were reproduced from the architects' drawings of 18th and 19th century museum pieces.

A step into Vikingsholm is like a step back into medieval times and a chance to gain an appreciation of a unique style of architecture and the person who had it built. The home may be toured from mid-June thru Labor Day. Tours are given from 10:00 am thru 4:00 pm, every half hour. Tour fees are $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for children, and children under 6 are free.

The Vikingsholm may be reached by parking in the Harvey West parking lot by Highway 89 at Emerald Bay and taking the trail which is one mile in length and drops 500 feet in elevation. Many visitors state the walk back up is twice as far as the walk down.

Fannette is the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe. It is located in beautiful Emerald Bay on the west shore of the lake. A sparsely timbered, brush covered upthrust of granite that rises 150 feet above the water, Fannette Island was not always known by that name. During the past 100 years it has been known as Coquette, Fannette, Baranoff, Dead Man's, Hermit's, and Emerald Isle. Fannette was the name that finally stuck.

Geologists know that Emerald Bay was gouged out by glaciers thousands of years ago. So why did Fannette Island remain? It is believed that the island is a resistant rib of granitic rock which was overridden by the glacial ice.

The stone structure on top that looks like a miniature castle is the "Tea House" built during the same time that Vikingsholm was constructed, from 1928-29. After being transported to the island by motorboat, Mrs. Knight and her guests would occasionally be served tea there. A small fireplace in the corner and a large oak table and four oak chairs in the center of the 16 by 16 foot room gave it a very rustic appearance. The tea house has been vandalized in recent years and today only the stone shell remains.

Visitors are welcome to use the island for day use activities only between 6 am and 9 pm. Camping is prohibited and dogs are not allowed on the island. From February 1 thru June 15 the island is closed to all visitors. During this period several pairs of Canadian geese nest on the island. Due to the virtual absence of predators, this is an ideal location for nesting. There may be as many as 100 geese on or near the island in the early spring. By late spring it is not uncommon to see families of geese swimming along the shoreline near Vikingsholm.

The natural beauty, geology and history of this unique island certainly make it one of the highlights of a visit to the Lake Tahoe area.

In 1969, Emerald Bay was designated a National Natural Landmark for its brilliant panorama of mountain-building processes and glacier carved granite. The Boat Camp is located on the north side of Emerald Bay, approximately 1/2 mile east of Fannette Island, at the site of the old Emerald Bay Resort.

The Boat Camp is normally open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, depending upon weather conditions. There are mooring buoys for the 20 campsites, and boaters can either sleep on board their boat, or camp in a designated site on shore. Each campsite has a table, storage locker, and fire ring. Water is available in the campground, and there are chemical toilets. There are no showers.

All campsites, with buoy, are available on a first come, first served basis, and cost $10.00 per night. Visitors using the Boat Camp facilities must be registered and pay the required fees. There is a self- registration station on the shore near the dock. The dock is for loading and unloading only, and there is a 15 day camping limit.

Emerald Bay was designated an underwater state park in 1994. As a scuba diver in Emerald Bay, you will enjoy an experience unavailable to most visitors to the lake. You have the opportunity to view and touch the artifacts of an age long past. Emerald Bay State Underwater Park is the resting place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm. Please be aware as you view and enjoy these artifacts that we all have the responsibility of protecting them for others to see and enjoy. All artifacts you find while diving in the State Parks are protected by state law and may not be taken or disturbed regardless of size or value.

In 1994 the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation installed a mooring buoy at the barge dive site located on the southern shore of Emerald Bay. Two historic barges lay in 35' of water at this site. This is also the location of a dump site possibly used by Emerald Bay Resort and others from 1884 until 1953. Small artifacts from the dump may be found at the Northwest corner of the western most barge. Please leave in place all artifacts you may find.

Emerald Bay Resort was situated on the North shore of Emerald Bay where Boat Camp is currently located. If you dive in this area you will find a variety of artifacts from the resort including telephone batteries, old tires, sinks, toilets, an old pier, a diving platform, at least five dories and two launches. One diver even reported seeing a model A Ford!