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The Tallac Historic Site

A century ago, what is now the Tallac Historic Site held the "Grandest Resort in the World" and the summer retreats for three of San Francisco Bay Area's socially elite families. Today the remains of the resort and the restored estates attract many thousands of visitors annually to recapture this bygone and significant era in Tahoe's history. The Tallac Historic Site offers something for everyone. Many paths and most buildings are accessible.

Between June and September you may join a Tallac interpreter for heritage programs, guided walks, building tours, demonstrations, behind the scenes peeks, and more. A changing schedule of activities with times, places, and a detailed description is available in the Visitors Center and the Baldwin Museum. Though the buildings are closed during the winter, the site is popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
 

For additional information, please call the Baldwin Museum at (530) 541-5227.

Sights at the Tallac Historic Site

The Baldwin Estate (1921)
Start your visit at the Baldwin Estate, once the hideaway for Elias J. "Lucky" Baldwin's granddaughter. Today the main building is the Baldwin Museum and the Educational Center for the Site.  Within the 4000 square foot "log cabin" are exhibits on the significance of the families and the Native American Washoe Tribe. A thirteen-minute video introduces visitors to the history of the area. Books on the related topics and tickets for the many tours and programs are available here. The recently restored Dextra Baldwin cabin on the Estate offers an exhibit on The Women of Tahoe and their contributions to the development of the Basin. The grounds of the Baldwin Estate are left natural with the exception of a native plants interpretive garden in development. For a schedule of events or information related to the site call (530) 541-5227.

The Pope Estate (1894)
This is the oldest estate and also the largest. The Pope Estate was haven to the Lloyd Tevis and George Pope families. The largest of three estates, it is the Interpretive Center for the site. Tours are offered daily from the end of June through mid-September. Living history programs, children's programs and specials events are also provided.  Many programs at the Pope Estate are led by costumed players and relate to the periods between 1900 and 1930. Children and adults are transported to a different era having the opportunity to experience the pastimes of past times. In addition to the programs, visitors can view the lifestyle of the families, their guests and servants in the many outbuildings including a laundry, dairy, barn and boat-house (with huge lake steamer in the process of restoration.) We encourage you to take a moment to enjoy the quiet of the arboretum with its non-native plants, waterfall and pond, and gazebo. The Pope Estate also is the home for The Great Gatsby Festival held each year in the second week of August.

The Tallac Resort (1890-1916)
Lucky's daughter demolished the Tallac Resort in the late 1920's, but visitors can still wander the old 'promenade' and trace the rock lined paths. The Casino building foundation will help conjure up visions of the once great Casino that stood here. Follow the interpretive signs on a self-guided tour. Or better yet, take the Lucky's Legacy discovery tour with a guide who will spark your imagination and let you feel as if you too were a guest at this exclusive resort.

Valhalla (1923)
The Heller Estate, east of the Pope, is known as Valhalla: the Viking heaven.  Valhalla is managed as the Community Events Center for the site and is operated under a Special Use Permit by the Tahoe Tallac Association. The main building is available for meetings, weddings and other event rentals and presents art exhibits daily. The Estate also prides itself on a beautifully renovated boathouse, now a community theatre, and twin guest cabins that offer fine arts and crafts for sale. All three structures support the Associations annual Arts & Music Festival.  For a schedule of events or information on rentals call (530) 541-4975 or visit www.valhallatahoe.com.

The Washoe
A native people of California and Nevada, the Washoe spent their summers here for many generations. You can walk trails that lead to the areas where they gathered food and made their homes. You may experience the Washoe culture by visiting the Tallac Site's Washoe Garden or attending patio talks and special programs given at the Baldwin Museum and Visitor Center.

Please be aware the Tallac Historic Site Map is in a PDF format. Larger files can take several minutes to open. If you have difficulty accessing this map or would like to obtain it in an alternate format please contact us. The PDF format requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you need the Acrobat Reader, please select the link provided below.  Selecting this link will take you to Adobe's web site. From there, you can download your free copy of the Acrobat Reader program. Once you've downloaded the Acrobat Reader you will need to return to this page.

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