Author Archives: Dablad1
Tahoe Inn
Just north of the center of town is the Tahoe Inn. It was built in 1934 just before the tourist season. It quickly replaced the previous speakeasy and hang out for Baby Face Nelson and other gangsters of the day. Today it is part museum and part Mexican restaurant. The photo is dated 1935.
Tahoe Inn
Here is the same buliding shown in winter during the mid 1930s, in a 1952 postcard, and as it now appears.
Emerald Bay
The crown jewel of the entire Lake Tahoe area is Emerald Bay located at the southwest portion of the California side. It served as the Canadian wilderness in the movie Rose Marie and also can be seen in Call of the Wild and numerous other action/adventure films from the 1930s. It is seen here in … Continue reading
Vikingsholm
Located directly below the cliff view of Emerald Bay shown above, is Vikingsholm, built at water level as a summer home in 1929 for $500,000 (What Depression??). It replicates a 9th Century Norse fortress. The owners were the major financial backers of Lindberg’s solo flight across the Atlantic The photo is from the early 1930s. … Continue reading
Ehrman Mansion
Heading back to Tahoe City from Vikingsholm for about fifteen miles, you will come across the 1903 Ehrman Mansion, which is similar to Vikingsholm in that it too is located on the water, has a turret, and is part of a a state park (Sugar Pine Point) open to visitors. Incredibly preserved inside and out, … Continue reading
Meade Hotel
Bannack was the original capital of the Montana Territory as evidenced by the photo of the recently completed court house in 1875. The county seat was moved in 1881, and the building was converted to a hotel in 1890. It boasted excellent accommodations and superb food served on fine china and white linen. It closed … Continue reading
Assay/Drug
Just to the left of the Meade are the old drug store and then the assay office. In July 2013 a devastating flash flood damaged about 80% of the 50+ old buildings in Bannack, and the assay office had to be completely rebuilt. The old photos date from the 1940s.
Skinner’s Saloon
Shown here in a 1940s photo is a building that was moved to Bannack in 1863. It operated for two years as a saloon and hang-out for road agents. It was a dry goods store for 30 years but, in a nod to Bannack’s raucous past, is still referred to as Skinner’s Saloon.
Jail
The Bannack jail was built in 1863 by the crooked sheriff Henry Plummer. He was briefly jailed there and then was hanged by vigilantes in 1864 for his role as leader of a gang responsible for over 100 murders in the area. The first photo is from the early 1940s.
Church
The First Methodist Church was built in 1877 and is seen here in an undated photograph. It is still used for community events.