Then and now: Keys Blvd. not always a major intersection

Did you ever wonder why South Lake Tahoe doesn’t have a First Street?

It did until the early 1960s when First Street was renamed Tahoe Keys Boulevard.

The corner sign read: “Tahoe Keys … left turn … drive to the beach.”The building sign said: “Tahoe Keys Rentals … daily, weekly, monthly.”

Tahoe Keys Boulevard and Highway 50 circa 1964. Photo/Private Collection

The photo above pre-dates today’s electric traffic signal at the corner and shows the overhead wires circa 1964 along Highway 50. The gas station at far-right was a Hancock (now a 76 after many reincarnations), and distant beyond it (just left of the dark telephone pole) was the Outdoorsman (now the Grocery Outlet).

Tahoe Keys Boulevard today. Photo/Bill Kingman

Today, Tahoe Keys Boulevard has marked turn lanes with electric traffic and pedestrian signage. All Highway 50 wiring has been placed underground, as has most of the wiring along Tahoe Keys Boulevard. Notice how the trees have flourished.

— Bill Kingman