Then and now: S. Tahoe Y doesn’t really exist
Circa 1940
Photo/U.S. Geological Survey
Circa 1959
Photo/ Lake Tahoe Historical Society
2012
Photo/Google Earth
The circa 1959 (my best estimate) photo shows highways 50 and 89 while the junction was still a Y just before Lake Tahoe Boulevard connected (about 1960) and made it a four-way intersection in South Lake Tahoe.
The large empty lot at top was the 1940s site of the local school house. That building was moved and now is the Carpenters’ Union Hall on Young Street. Later on that corner became a Safeway supermarket and an adjoining five-and-dime store in the building now occupied by T.J. Maxx.
The diagonal building at the right of the Y included Lampson’s Market and a two-pump 76 gas station. That site became Lampson Plaza and then Factory Stores at the Y.
Across the street at left was the Tahoe Sierra Market and other small businesses where the large South Y Center (Raley’s, etc.) now stands.
The Y really hasn’t been a Y for more than 50 years, but it’s locally ingrained. We have South Y Center, South Y Fireplace, South Y Lodge, South Y Shops & Storage, and Factory Stores at the Y. In the early 1970s, a local disc jockey (“Little” Tommy Allen) tried to campaign for remarketing the Y as the Tahoe Valley Plus (+).
Many a tourist has asked, “Where is your YMCA?”
— Bill Kingman
Bill, Thank you for your tireless efforts to bring our local history into perspective. Much appreciated!
Very cool pics!
so which of the photos illustrates a mountain resort you would most want to visit?
Hi Bill, the five and dime store where TJ Maxx is located now was either a Coronet or a Sprouse Reitz store. Not sure which. There was another five and dime where the DMV is now located, the old Tahoe Savings and Loan bldg. Keep rollin’ em out Bill! I’m lovin’ the old photos!!! OLS
Thanks, again, Bill, for your photos and old-time perspective, though you don’t look that “old”. We enjoyed your participation at the LT Historical Society’s program at Camp Richardson recently……It was an eye-opening program with lots of good memories. Thanks for sharing. L J
I’ve only lived here 20 years. These pictures are priceless. Thanks!
Bill, Do you or Old Long Skiis know any thing about the boy scout camp that sits above Elk Point? The bike trail just recently built goes through it on the way to Roundhill Pines. Would love to see some old photos, or hear some history. Thanks, Art Howard
tahoe pizza eater and Art Howard,
Pizza man, I don’t know the REAL story on the wildwood property but I do recall some sort of transfer of the right to build there. Not sure how that worked out but it sounds like it’s being torn down.
Art Howard, also unsure on the location of a Boy Scout camp between Elks Point and and Round Hill Pines. I would suggest hiking up the hill behind the church on Elks pt. ave. and see what you come across.
Wish I could be of more help. Take care, OLS
Thanks, Old Long Skiis. I’ve hiked up Round Hill for the last 34 years. My 11 year old has been up there with me the last five or so. Great views for a short hike. Art
If your talking about all the abandoned houses down the road to round hill pines beach, I was wondering what those rundown shakes were all about as well..
Great overhead photos ! . . .I’d forgotten about the ‘2-pump ’76’ station, but that’s where Willie Crowe (the closest person Tahoe had to a ‘drag-racer’: a ‘modified roadster’ class) “held court’ on some evenings, helping some of us younger ones with performance issues. and Old Long Skiis is right – it was a Sprouse-Reitz store (next to the Safeway. . .
The property on the left where the Sierra Market was, was sold for the later Raley’s shopping center by the Barkley family (related by marriage to Harvey Gross) and, in remembering Lampson’s (the Outlet Stores), am reminded of Sacramento’s Ink’s stores, which had two in town, one of which was where the veterinarian/video/liquor store is, except on the end where there is now the sandwich shop – that was a gas station. . .the other was in Bijou Center.
Don’t know about any Boy Scout camp, although there is a 4H camp down the road next to Dart Liquors and Edgewood (a beautiful piece of property @ 80-90 acres) on the lakeshore, with dorms redone as LEED Gold (adding a second story), that is sort of a playground for UNR. . .
Good stuff, Bill. . .thanks !!