History: Loss of historic Bliss house in Glenbrook

Publisher’s note: This is reprinted from the June 1975 Lake Tahoe Historical Society newsletter.

Tahoe residents and visitors alike will be saddened at the loss of the 90-year old Bliss mansion in Glenbrook, which was destroyed by fire within a half hour during the early morning hours of June 5th. No cause for the fire has been determined although investigators say [it] is unlikely arson could be involved.

The two-story frame house, which has been used by five generations of the same family, was built by pioneer Tahoe lumberman D.L. Bliss at the time Glenbrook’s claim to fame was not as a resort but as the center of a prosperous logging business. The home, now owned by William Bliss, was furnished with expensive Victorian antiques dating from his great grandfather’s time.

Bill Bliss, a Society Member, stated no value could be placed on the loss of the home and furnishes until insurance reports are received. He will tear down the remaining walls and let grass fill the area.

The mansion has been the subject of many writings on the Tahoe Area and its past and is well known to the Society.

Only last summer, Bill Bliss, after recalling the picturesque little community’s thriving area at the February meeting, hosted the membership at a luncheon tour of historic Glenbrook, including the lovely old family home.