Local history buffs and architecture enthusiasts won't want to miss the chance to tour two historic Lake Tahoe homes this summer, along with expert guides. Through September, visitors are invited to tour the Hellman-Ehrman Estate, at Sugar Pine Point State Park, and the Vikingsholm Castle, at Emerald Bay. Both homes are located in El Dorado County.
The Hellman-Ehrman Estate was built in 1897 by San Francisco business man I.W. Hellman. According to the California Department of Parks and Recreation, which now owns and maintains the property, the family's summer home was completed in 1903 and christened Pine Lodge. By 1913, Hellman had purchased 2,000 acres, and the estate was hailed as one of the area's most beautiful. Many of the building materials were locally sourced, including granite from Meeks Bay and lumber from the Truckee area's Hobart Mills. The extensive estate includes a lakeside grounds-keeper's cottage, a children's house, two boat houses, a boatman's cabin and a tennis court.
Vikingsholm Castle was completed on Emerald Bay in 1929 and was constructed by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. Mrs. Knight based her designs on Scandinavian motifs, resulting in Vikingsholm's unique, castle-like aesthetic. She furnished the estate in a complementary Nordic style.
Tours of both estates are offered daily.
Historical gems like the Hellman-Ehrman Estate and the Vikingsholm Castle contribute to El Dorado County's rich heritage and enhance Lake Tahoe's stunning natural beauty. If you would like to look at El Dorado Hills real estate or properties in nearby Sacramento and Placer Counties, contact me, top real estate agent Jon Hesse! With more than $100 million in completed real estate transactions, I have the experience necessary to help you find your dream home!