Tallac Historic Site - Valhalla
Imagine South Lake Tahoe in the early 1900's. It was the favorite getaway for Northern California's successful and wealthy entrepreneurs ...
The Tallac Historic Site, often referred to as "Valhalla", includes 74 acres of secluded woods and over a quarter of a mile of south shoreline on Lake Tahoe between Emerald Bay and Camp Richardson. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Far from the crowds and gambling, the Tallac Historic Site is home to the archeological remains of the Tallac Resort and three large summer estates built by wealthy San Franciscans in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The Tallac Resort includes three estates -- Pope, Heller, and Baldwin Estates (all of which are open to the public).
The Pope Estate, built in 1894, had a private trout pond into which cascaded a picturesque waterfall - highlight of an arboretum featuring the greatest collection of botanical specimens at the lake.
The Heller Estate, named "Valhalla" from the great hall of the Viking after life, is a grand hall with beautiful wood floors, an open wood beam ceiling, a balcony of lodge pole construction and a 20 foot high stone fireplace. It was built in 1923 and has been converted into a community events center.
The Baldwin estate is part of the original "Lucky" Baldwin Hotel. The U shaped main house was completed in 1922 featuring a wishing well in its interior courtyard and a massive stone fireplace in the living room.
The Tahoe Tallac Association, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, is committed to restoring these estates and opening them to the public.