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Traces Lake Tahoe's transformation from Washoe homeland to timber hub to tourist haven.Professional and amateur photographers have captured images of Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada, since the invention of the camera. In this photographic journal, we experience the transformation of Lake Tahoe from a Washoe paradise, to a timber resource for the Comstock Lode, and finally to a land of private retreats and hostelries. Herein we experience the environmental, business, and economic changes in the Tahoe Basin through time. Redefinition of the D. L. Bliss family business from timber and forest products to hostelry economically transformed Lake Tahoe. Investments in the Tahoe Tavern, Steamer SS Tahoe, modern rail service, and marketing to affluent San Francisco clientele reshaped the economy. Millions discovered the alpine air, pristine blue waters, and good times that Tahoe offers. Today, visitors still carry cameras and vow to visit again next year.
About the author
Carol A. Jensen is a native daughter and resident of San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. She is a history graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara. She delights in discovering the history of the West Shore, collecting early twentieth century ephemera, and documenting the cultural history of the area from those who lived, lumbered, mined, and visited. The fruits of her historical search can be found at the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, Gatekeeper's Museum, Tahoe City, California. She is pleased to compile and edit this photographic history of Lake Tahoe's West Shore on behalf of the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Vintage images―many never before published―are from private collections and archives, such as the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, the Tahoe Yacht Club, California State Library, California State Railroad Museum, Bancroft Library, and California State Parks Photographic Collections. Jensen is a member of the California Historical Society, North Lake Tahoe Historical Society, Lake Tahoe maritime Museum, and Contra Costa Historical Society. She also serves as vice chair of The Contra Costa Historic Landmark Advisory Committee. She hopes that Lake Tahoe's West Shore will bring back fond memories of readers' time at the Lake, inspire all to Keep Lake Tahoe Blue, and conserve California's precious water resources.
