Hidden Historic Tahoe

 It's been about three years since I last posted something on my Blog. Even I was surprised it had been that long! Well, I'm bbbaacckkkk! 

This is the site of the Lake House Hotel, mentioned below.

Today I was riding my bike around the streets near our cabin and I decided to revisit some historic markers put in by the local Historical Society.  I don't know about you, but I have always been far more interested in the lives of ordinary people, than famous historical leaders.  I've done a lot of family tree research through Ancestry and learning about my great-great-great- (et cetera)  grandparents has been truly inspiring. Through doing this research, I've become even more interested about the local history of places I've visited.  Since we have a vacation home here in South Lake Tahoe, I was excited to learn more about the local history of this area.

A Hidden Cemetery

South Lake Tahoe was incorporated in 1965, but its history goes back much further.  Tucked into the Al Tahoe neighborhood, is a nondescript cemetery surrounded by small cabins from the turn of the century, 1960s era houses, modern wood and stone houses, giant "McMansions" and a few duplexes.  While now South Lake Tahoe, (SLT) seems to pride itself on preserving its past, and being environmentally aware, this was not always the case, and the mishmash of home styles on the tree lined streets certainly confirms this.  

Hidden near the corner of Alameda and Tallac Avenues is this cemetery with several upright stones and a few wooden markers, showing the location of other unmarked graves. The unincorporated city of SLT paved over part of the cemetery to put in Alameda Avenue showing a total lack of regard for the bodies laying below the tarred road. Thomas Rowland, an early pioneer, along with about twenty-three others, including members of the Barton (the local hospital is named Barton Hospital,) and Goodrich families are buried here. 

The story goes that in 1959 the gas company was digging a trench along Alameda Avenue. Local mailman Stan Meyers, who witnessed the event said, 'bones were flying far and wide!'  An urn containing the remains of an Arthur Hill who died in 1913, (who was only identified because of some papers inside the urn,) was dredged up too.  In 1975 Arthur Hill was ceremonially reburied by the Historical Society,  along with and the bones of many still unidentified early residents. 

I was unable to go into the cemetery because it is locked behind a metal fence, but it was interesting trying to imagine what the area looked like all those years ago.

Rowlands, California, (AKA South Lake Tahoe.)

  In 1859 two men named Dean and Lapton decided to build the Lake House Hotel not far from this cemetery.  They bought 320 acres because they were convinced the trans-continental railroad would be routed along the eastern side of Lake Tahoe.  Even though the railroad did not come here, the hotel benefitted from the heavy traffic of people passing by on the way to logging operations and the Comstock Lode in nearby Virginia City. By several accounts, the Lake House was filthy, and "furnished the worst food anywhere around." The hotel burned to the ground in 1866, and the pair sold the land to Thomas Rowland who had previously owned Strawberry Station along Highway 50. Rowland set out to construct the community of Rowland's Station. Goodrich, (also buried in the cemetery,) ran a cobbler's shop in the township of Rowland's Station.  This building is the oldest standing private residence in Lake Tahoe, standing in the same location since 1868.

The Goodrich Cobble Shop in Rowlands, CA 1868.

I plan to explore my seemingly ordinary little neighborhood for  more hidden history!