Restoration work at Vikingsholm includes replacing dragons
By Laurie Brazil
If you haven’t visited our jewel of Emerald Bay – Vikingsholm – this year or perhaps not at all, now is the time to take the one-mile hike down to the south end of Emerald Bay.
Earlier this summer, new and stately crossed dragon beams were installed along the roof ridges of the courtyard buildings at Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay State Park at Lake Tahoe. Originally carved when the building was constructed in the summer of 1929, the boards had considerably weathered and deteriorated over time.
“Decorations of this type were common among many ancient wood churches in Scandinavia and stem from an early superstition,” Helen Henry Smith writes in “Vikingsholm, Tahoe’s Hidden Castle”. “When Christianity was introduced in the 11th century, there appeared to be some doubt that it would be entirely effective. Therefore, dragon heads, similar to those found in heathen temples, were carved on the Christian churches to provide added protection against all evils.”
Vikingsholm
The original dragon beams were the product of a Scandinavian craftsman who was brought in from New York and was responsible for all of the exterior carvings that were done from wood that was hand hewn in Lake Tahoe.
California State Parks Foundation worked with restoration specialists Architectural Resources Group to have the fascia boards replicated by a wood craftsman from the Bay Area and provided the financial support for this important project at the castle.
Make sure your summer agenda includes a visit to one of the most unique and spectacular blends of architecture, natural beauty and craftsmanship that Lake Tahoe offers. The cascading falls that backdrop Vikingsholm are at their zenith and the roar can be heard along the trail and throughout the bay.
Fannette Island, in the middle of Emerald Bay, also boasts a tea house that was a feature added by Lora Josephine Knight when the property was acquired.
The parking for Emerald Bay State Park can be quite limited on weekends, so a weekday is preferable. The Nifty Fifty Trolley is a unique way to travel and stops at the parking lot to let guests off to make the walk down to the Bay.
Laurie Brazil lived and worked at Vikingsholm for several seasons alongside Helen Smith and the two are now life-long friends. Brazil later was a member of the California State Parks Foundation-Vlikingsholm Council and helped to raise the funds that have been instrumental in the restoration.
In 32 years at the Lake, never have I had a guest where we haven’t made Vikingsholm a destination for them.
Thanks to California State Parks Foundation and Architectural Resources Group for bringing the luster back to the home.
It’s been a long time since I have been on the tour of Vikingsholm and I want to do it again. Last year my sister and I walked around the estate and I was impressed by how beautiful and peaceful the grounds were. It’s truly something all visitors and locals should not miss.
I’m going to try and get there before the end of the summer to see the dragons.
Laurie, many thanks for taking the time to write this article on Vikingsholm. It’s wonderful to know that even in these challenging economic times, sites like these are still invested in and preserved.
Vikingsholm is such a treasure. Judy visited last week from the Mass. and hadn’t been there for years. So we took the trip there from Sacramento. She was so impressed.. much nicer than she remembered.
What a great thing to be doing!! We need more of this!!
It is so wonderful to see results of the many dedicated individuals that have succeeded in restoring such treasures for us all to enjoy.
Laurie, I remember your extreme dedication to your passions like this from our childhood.
Thank you and I look forward to a visit my next trip to California from Indiana.
Laurie, Brilliant article. Thank you so much for making sure we all know what is going on at Vikingsholm. The Lake Tahoe Historical Society’s Museum Bookstore has a wonderful video and book about Vikingsholm. The museum bookstore will be open Wed. – Mon. through the end of August. After, it will be open to the public on Saturdays only, unless by appointment. Visit Vikingsholm and visit the musuem where Lake Tahoe history will become a part of your life!