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 Thunderbird
lodge was the summer of home of real estate tycoon George Whittell. Designed
by Frederick DeLongchamps, the home is built in the spirit of the Arts
and Crafts movement.
It makes
use of local building materials: natural stone, wooden roofs, and exposed
trusses. The buildings take full advantage of their environment. Paths
wind amongst the trees, stone retaining walls intertwine with the natural
terrain. Waterfalls, fountains, a lighthouse, and other whimsical features
accent the granite walkways.
The estate consists
of the main house, a three-storied stone structure with a steep roof and
five gabled dormers on the lake side, and a number of outbuildings.
The stonework was
done by stonemasons from the Stewart Indian School in Carson City. Anthony
Soletti created the decorative ironwork. Although he worked with an apprentice,
only he was allowed to visit the house to install the work.
More
about the Thunderbird Lodge:
The property includes four cottages, a gatehouse, elephant house, lighthouse
and a 100 foot long boathouse.- A 600 foot long
tunnel connects the main house with the boathouse and provides passages
to the card house and several rooms.
- George Whittell
had a passion for animals. His exotic pets included Bill, his African
lion, and Mingo, his Indian elephant.
- The downstairs
kitchen in the main house has the original 1930s appliances including
a porcelain sink, Wedgwood stove and Servel Electrolux gas refrigerator.
- To aid Whittell
in navigating his rocky shore, a lighthouse was built on the property.
- When George Whittell
died in 1969 he left the majority of his fortune to animal organizations.
- The original estate
consisted of 40,000 acres which included 27 miles of Lake Tahoe shoreline.
- John Hacker to
designed Whittell’s Thunderbird, a 55 foot, triple planked mahogany
speedboat.
 Mary
Ellen Houston, Director of Operations:
“It’s one of the most intriguing buildings that we have in
the area and it’s steeped in history and rich in culture. All of
the groups that came to it and participated in the construction of it
seem to have brought a little bit of magic to it, that transcends everything.”
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Additional Information:
Thunderbird
Lodge Preservation Society
775-832-8750
P.O. Box 6812
Incline Village, Nevada 89450
www.thunderbirdlodge.org
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