It is a jewel on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shoreline, a shining example of Great Camp Architecture from the 1930’s and as historic as it is beautiful. The Thunderbird Lodge blends into Tahoe’s rustic setting with grace and style, yet it stands out as an architectural masterpiece.

Millionaire George Whittell, Jr. purchased the 40,000 acres of undeveloped forest and shoreline around Lake Tahoe in 1935 as an investment; but then he decided it was far too beautiful to develop. Instead of constructing a casino and surrounding homes, he decided to keep it all to himself. His plans for a summer cottage grew into a compound of beautifully crafted buildings with specific purposes. The collection of structures includes a main lodge, a boathouse, a servants’ house, a card house, a teahouse, an elephant house, two lighthouses, incredible pathways, landscaping and exterior foundations, and even a maze of underground tunnels linking them all.

Architect Frederick Delongchamps incorporated local materials including stone and timber into the design. There are gabled dormers on each end of the main house, massive chimneys and grand stone fireplaces. Tudor touches including steep rooflines, and small diamond pane windows are a part of each building. The interior is exposed truss work, flagstone, specially crafted staircases, secret passageways, tunnels and even housing for an African Lion named Bill. Spectacular views from every room showcase the beauty of the lake and it’s surrounding forests.

It was the perfect playground for a multi-millionaire who had life handed to him. It was the perfect getaway for a recluse, and the perfect setting for parties. And, to this day, it remains one of the most beautifully conceived structures along Tahoe’s stunning shoreline.