George Whittell Jr & The Thunderbird Lodge
History of Lake Tahoe: Part 4 of 5
Connecting our story from part 3, the Bliss Family also owned the Glenbrook Inn on the eastern shore which brings us to the introduction of George Whittell, my personal favorite in all of his abundance of eccentricities.
Bill Bliss, great grandson of DL Bliss said about Whittell:
“This was always in the family, the Glenbrook Inn, and it was kind of really deteriorating in the twenties and thirties, and my father sold a vast holding of property here at Tahoe to George Whittell”
. . .
East shore of Lake Tahoe Photo by Peter Hulce on Unsplash
Just as the Great Depression was tightening its grip on America, an eccentric millionaire named George Whittell Jr. set his sights on Lake Tahoe's eastern shore.
Whittell, a San Francisco socialite with a flair for the dramatic, would leave an indelible mark on the lake's landscape and its conservation efforts.
His father, George Whittell Sr., had made a fortune in real estate and banking in California during the Gold Rush era.
When George Whittell Sr. died in 1922, he left his son an inheritance estimated at between $20 million to $50 million (equivalent to hundreds of millions in today's dollars).
There is scuttlebutt (more about this later involving Lora Knight in our next installment) about the timing when he sold most of his stocks just before the 1929 stock market crash, which preserved and potentially increased his wealth while many others lost fortunes.
In 1935, Whittell purchased a staggering 27 miles of Tahoe shoreline on almost the entirety of the Nevada side of the lake.
His initial plan was to develop this vast tract of land, but as he spent more time at Tahoe, he fell in love with its pristine beauty and in a twist of fate (YAY!) that would prove crucial for Lake Tahoe's future…
Whittell decided against large-scale development, preferring to keep the shoreline in its natural state.
Whittell’s Thunderbird Lodge at Lake Tahoe | Photo: National Register of Historic Places
The centerpiece of Whittell's Tahoe empire was the Thunderbird Lodge, a stunning example of Art Deco and rustic architecture. Designed by Nevada architect Frederic DeLongchamps, the lodge was completed in 1936.
Its most distinctive feature was a 600-foot tunnel {which is a whole other series of blogs about building this!} leading from the main house to a boathouse on the lake, reportedly built to allow Whittell to move between the two unseen.
In addition, there is a secret passage from the restroom in his card house that led back to his main house he could sneak off to when he was over the shenanigans of the evening, (or not happy with the card game) he could leave without any questions.
Whittell's life at Thunderbird Lodge was as colorful as the man himself. Known for his eccentricities, he kept a menagerie of exotic animals on the property, including a lion named Bill and an elephant named Mingo.
It is said that he would ride around with Bill in his Duesenberg around town, sometimes having to pay for Bill’s indiscretions.
Tahoe Yacht Club Commodore Randolph C. Walker paced Whittell to snap this image of the Thunderbird Yacht.
His prized possession, however, was the Thunderbird yacht, a sleek 55-foot speed boat (that is part literal airplane) that still turns heads on Lake Tahoe today.
(I mean it only comes out to play a few times a year, if that, but WOW, what-a-sight. Apparently, able to be rented for $5K an hour for a two hour minimum.)
Despite (or perhaps because of) his reclusive nature, Whittell became an inadvertent conservationist. By choosing not to develop his vast lakefront property, he preserved a significant portion of Tahoe's shoreline in its natural state.
This decision would have far-reaching phenomenal aftereffects for the lake's ecosystem and scenic beauty.
In the years following Whittell's passing in 1969, efforts were made to preserve his legacy and the natural beauty he had protected. The Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society was formed to maintain the historic estate and open it to the public. Today, visitors can tour the lodge and learn about Whittell's fascinating life and his unintentional role in Lake Tahoe conservation.
The story of George Whittell Jr. and Thunderbird Lodge serves as a reminder of the unexpected ways in which history unfolds… What began as a wealthy man's retreat became a crucial piece in the puzzle of Lake Tahoe's preservation.
As you gaze at the undeveloped eastern shore of the lake, remember that you have an eccentric millionaire and his love of privacy and the wonders of nature to thank for this pristine vista. 🌟
. . .
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
Want to talk all things Lake Tahoe? About what an amazing rich history in such a truly magical place?
Need help with your copywriting needs?
Book a Call here —>
Or fill out the form below :)
Fact check: I strive for accuracy and fairness… if something is off, please send a shout! Kp@kpcopy.com
