Tallac Historic Site

Life has certainly changed very little at the Tallac Historic Site where California's early rich and famous built their elaborate summer estates in the late 1800's and the early 1900's. These rustic estates are nestled in the secluded woods and along the beaches of the Tallac Historic Site. Far from the crowds and gambling, the Tallac Historic Site is home to the archeological remains of the Tallac Resort and three large summer estates built by wealthy San Franciscans. The 74-acre tract of land is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located 3 miles north of South Lake Tahoe on Highway 89.

In the 1860's, the south shore of Lake Tahoe became a resting place for pioneers searching for gold. Upon completion of the transcontinental railroad in the late 1800's, the site soon became a popular retreat for vacationers. The Tallac Resort included two major hotels, a casino and numerous out-buildings. Soon, summer estates sprang up around the Tallac Resort and the good times of the 1920's began. Guests at the Tallac Resort and of the homeowners enjoyed saloons, boat rides and an incredible dance floor mounted on springs!

Today, visitors can capture a glimpse of this opulent past when they explore the site. The Pope, Baldwin and Valhalla Estates are open to the public in different capacities. The Pope Estate, built in 1894, is open for guided tours and houses changing art exhibits. Valhalla is a Grand Hall with beautiful wood floors, an open wood beam ceiling, a balcony of lodge pole construction and a 20 foot high stone fireplace! It was built in 1923 and is now the site of the Tuesday and Thursday concerts, the Cultural Arts Gift Store and is available for rental. The Tahoe Tallac Association, in conjunction with the USDA Forest Service, is committed to restoring these estates and opening them to the public.

The Tahoe Tallac Association sponsors the Valhalla Summer Arts Music Festival which is held throughout the Tallac Site. The Festival includes a variety of events for adults and children lasting from late June into September: Tuesday and Thursday concerts ranging from Bluegrass to Jazz to Cajun music; art exhibits featuring the finest regional artists, and art workshops designed for children and adults. Special events include the Valhalla Renaissance Festival, the Rhythm & Brews Beer Tasting Festival and Reggae Sunday in August.

The Valhalla Summer Arts Music Festival aims to help restore the Tallac Historic Site to its former grandeur and to bring the cultural arts to the public.