Tallac Historical Site in Lake Tahoe
Tahoe’s beautiful Tallac Historic Site is a 74-acre area that features 19 historic structures including three mansions that date from 1873 to 1920. This is the place where the rich and famous of Tahoe, who usually hailed from the San Francisco or Sacramento areas and other parts of California, built their magnificent summer homes.
Three miles south of Lake Tahoe, the site also features the remains of the historic Tallac Resort, dubbed “The Grandest Resort in the World” when it was built in 1880 by “Lucky” Baldwin. The resort included two very opulent hotels, a casino with “new” electric lights, and several other buildings. It could accommodate some 250 guests, who were also among California’s elite. They would enjoy dancing in the ballroom, playing croquet or tennis, taking steamer rides on the lake, and strolling along the promenade. The resort, unfortunately, was dismantled by Baldwin’s daughter in 1909, but visitors can still view its architectural remains and use their imagination to picture the grand parties that occurred there.
In addition to viewing the remains of the resort, visitors to the Tallac Historic Site can visit the Baldwin Estate, now home to the Tallac Museum. Full of photographs of the hotel and casino and other exhibits on the Washoe Indians that once occupied the area, the museum is free and includes a small bookstore.
The Pope Estate, built in 1894, is open to the public for tours as well. It also houses the occasional art exhibit. Built by George Pope of San Francisco, a wealthy businessman and socialite, this home saw many a celebrity walk through its doors, including author John Steinbeck, who was a frequent visitor of the Pope family. Guided tours of the main house are by reservation but exploring the gardens and cottages can be done at any time.
The Heller “Valhalla” Estate is really not an estate at all. It’s a Grand Hall, built in 1923, that has long been used for special events. It includes wood floors, an open beam ceiling, and a magnificent 20-foot-high stone fireplace. The Great Gatsby Festival is held here in mid-August and it’s also the site of many concerts of different genres. Arts and crafts exhibits are often held here as well.
The Tahoe Tallac Association and the U.S. Forest Service is working to restore all of these estates as well as other notable structures at the Tallac Historic Site. In the meantime, visitors continue to flock to the location each year for the annual Valhalla at Lake Tahoe Festival, an event that includes art, music, theater, and film. Events happen all summer long at the site and there’s truly something for everyone, from improvisational theater to dance bands to classical music, jazz, blue grass, and folk/rock. Some events are free but most carry a small price tag. Children are welcome unless otherwise noted on the event schedule.
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