Then and now: Al Tahoe area used to be hopping
The top of the 1960’s local map (courtesy of Theresa and Darrell Eymann) depicts a pier and breakwater extending zigzag on the lake from the end of Sacramento Avenue in Al Tahoe. This is where Frank Globin built an overwater chalet and dance pavilion in the summer of 1929 on the Lake Shore Park Pier (photo from Pomona Public Library Frasher Fotos Collection).
1929 was during a record-setting low water level, making construction easy on the dry shoreline.
Today people know this area as Regan Beach. Photo/Bill Kingman
Extending diagonally from the chalet and pavilion was a long breakwater and pier built by Al Sprague which served the Steamer Tahoe. Sprague was the land owner and developer who named “Al Tahoe” after himself.
The chalet and dance pavilion were razed in the early 1960s along with Globin’s historic Sacramento Avenue hotel which had been mostly destroyed by fire.
— Bill Kingman
This photo was my direct view from our cabin porch on the corner of Sacramento and Lakeview from 1944-1954. It is now a motel. As a kid, I collected many splinters in my feet from that pier! I found a way to sneak into the closed down dance hall which was basically a big empty room with a few old tables and chairs. The lake was perfectly clear as gin in those days, no algea on the rocks. During the war, South Tahoe was empty of tourists and traffic, perfect for a 5 yr old to walk about safely. Loved that summer place, so much so that I returned to live here full time in Incline 20 yrs ago.
We had lots of fun on Globins pier. Just a little east(?) of Globins was Connoly’s pier. Longest pier on the lake as I recall. We used to go out to the end of Connoly’s to catch the elusive “tagged trout”. It got you $5 or $10 from the dept. of fish and game once you sent the tag off and answered a few questions.
Ten bucks could buy you several Rat Fink model kits back then with a little box of Testors paint and paint brush. Thanks again Bill, Old Long Skiis
In the summer of 1946 Thelda and Lorry Fay leased the Chalet from Frank Globin and open it up. There were fishing boat rentals, speed boat trips to Emerald Bay, Sea Plane rides by Wes Stetson, Dancing and a restaurant and Coffee shop along with a Bar.
The Fay’s lived at Emerald Bay during the summer but lived in the Valley during the winter because the road was closed past the Ebrights property entrance.Great Memories of the good times when Tahoe was young.
In those days you could buy a lot on the lake or anywhere in the Al Tahoe area for $695.00, $5.00 Down and $10.00 a month, Those were the good old day’s
Wonderful history. Did anyone notice the comment on lake level? How amazing CA was in a long term severe drought even before the catastrophe of global warming
and the extinction of the cross-legged, green eyed, spotted zebra beetle.
Hi there, Jeff
I can’t remember the exact year the pier was torn out, but we moved to Lakeview Ave in 1962. I remember catching fish as a boy from the pier, although the building was closed, and the long breakwater/pier was partly collapsed. It must have been removed in the mid-late 60’s. My dad salvaged many good boards from the pier, from which we built a great deck in our backyard.
I remember the early ‘rock & roll’ dances they had there (think Chuck Berry, “white port & lemon juice”, Bo Diddley, mostly stuff from way before the British Invasion, the Beach Boys, Motown, etc.)
Also before Jim & Sarah Burgett and the American Legion Hall dances of the early 60’s. . . .
I would guess that Globin’s Pier & building were ‘downed’ in the very early 60’s sometime. . . thanks, Bill, for the great photo. . . I’m still looking for one of the very large ‘pylon’ sign on the corner at Harrah’s entrance at Stateline Avenue; found a “partial”, but not yet a ‘full-on’. . .
I remember an auction being held in the old Globin’s hotel before they tore it down but I don’t remember any fire damage. Larry and I poked around upstairs while the auction went on.
I am loving the articles about the incredible history and people’s reflections of Lake Tahoe! Thanks!
We visited the Lake Tahoe area 4 years ago and stayed on the North Shore because we were warned about the South Shore being rather dangerous. Friends just came back from a show on South Shore. Their vehicles were broken intp twice and drugs were very evident where they were staying. Police not interested, business owners unfriendly. All in all, a very bad impression and experience. They have been in the area 3 years in a row and each time worse. They will not return again and advise family, friends and anyone considering a Lake Tahoe vacation to change plans.
We will not be going back. Beautiful, but too risky. Better get a handle on things.