By R.L. Cultrona
The History of Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe straddles the California and Nevada border. With more than 73 miles of shore line, this lake has something for everyone. Its history is rich on both sides of the border.
Discovery
The lake was discovered in 1844 by John C. Fremont, who misheard the lake's name from the natives and called it "Tahoe." This name would be one of many until the lake was formally named Lake Tahoe in 1945.
Gold and Silver
During the 1850s California and Nevada both had major mining rushes: gold in California and silver in Nevada. This brought many people to the area and, in 1864, Tahoe City was founded and quickly became a resort destination.
Wealthy Visitors
In the early part of the 20th century, Lake Tahoe was primarily known as a wealthy vacation community, with huge mansions built by rich people looking to get away starting to appear.
Resort Town
By the 1940s and '50s, Lake Tahoe started to become the resort town it is today. Casinos appeared on the Nevada side in the 1940s and snow resorts followed not much later.
Today
The natural area around Lake Tahoe has been largely preserved. A lack of overbuilding means traffic jams are common. Nevertheless, Lake Tahoe continues to be a major destination for travelers.
Resources
About the Author:
R.L. Cultrona is a San Diego native and a graduate of San Diego State University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in theater, television and film with a minor in communications and political science. She began writing online instructional articles in June 2009.
Photo Credits:
http://www.beautifulvista.com/Recent_Photos/Bike_Ride_Photos/Emerald_Bay_Lake_Tahoe.jpg
