George Whittell Jr., heir to one of San Francisco’s largest fortunes, pulled his $50 million (roughly $50 billion in current dollars) out of the stock market just weeks before the crash of 1929. He needed to do something with all that money and started buying up land on Lake Tahoe’s eastern shore, eventually owning almost the entire Nevada shoreline. In 1936 construction began on his "castle in the sky," a lakefront estate that would serve as his summer getaway and tax haven.
Finished in 1941, Thunderbird Lodge was constructed by the finest artisans and craftspeople available. The exteriors were covered in stone decorated with metal images of local wildlife, and the interiors were fashioned in the Arts and Crafts style. He had a 600-foot tunnel blasted out of the granite under the property to connect the lodge to a boathouse and serve as a secret exit from the Card Room. Whittell also had a 55-foot mahogany yacht custom built. With a pair of 1150 hp Allison V-12 engines from WWII fighter aircraft, the Thunderbird can reach speeds up to 75 mph. She is still seaworthy and sheltered in the boathouse.
Thunderbird Lodge and its grounds, listed as a National Historic Site, are now owned by a nonprofit the Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society and are open for tours and available for parties, banquets, corporate functions and other special occasions. The grounds – full of lawns, water features, secluded terraces, a lakefront gazebo and stunning views – make the Thunderbird a top choice for weddings, receptions and rehearsal dinners. They have an executive chef on-site, and their staff can help coordinate every aspect of your event. The Thunderbird hosts fundraising events including a Winemakers’ Dinner series every summer. All tours are guided and are available Tuesday through Saturday from May through October. Reservations are required.
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