Lake Tahoe's Most Eccentric Millionaire, George Whittell and his Thunderbird Lodge

There are many beautiful houses and estates in Lake Tahoe, but none can compare to George Whittell’s once massive estate and land holdings of Lake Tahoe’s Nevada side. Born extremely wealthy in the late 1800’s, he lived through the Gilded Age, the Roaring 20’s and the Great Depression. He had a zest for life, and with his riches took full advantage of privilege. One of those ways was owning nearly 95% of the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe and building an eccentric house to match his eccentric personality. SO LET ME TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT AND HIM!
thunderbirdtahoe.org/

[@csmith9189]

Great video and history facts!

[@user-up3gw7zw1o]

We have a resort at South Lake Tahoe that we visit typically in May and September when the weather is usually good and the number of tourists is way down. When we did this tour around 2020 there was no shuttle. Our tour was suppose to be with another couple, but they rescheduled and it was just the 2 of us with our guide. We did the tunnel to the boathouse, but did not see the pool site. Amazing that the Thunderbird boat is still there and there will be boating events at the lake when it might be seen. Good tour, good information, good stories that may or may be modified a bit.

[@JDanielOC]

I love all the historical notes and comparisons to the past and present in your videos... and this one really shows the excellent production skills involved. Congrats on another fantastic installment of Nix Adventrex!

[@NixAdventrex]

Thank you! Most of my videos take about 2 days, but this one was double that - I really wanted to shared as much info as I could about this guy. He was a real character, and very important to the Tahoe we all enjoy today.

[@JDanielOC]

@@NixAdventrex I know it's a lot of work -- it shows! Great stuff. More people should know.

[@NixAdventrex]

@@JDanielOC Thank you Jason. I keep chugging along. :)

[@milesandhikes]

Enjoyed this video! These old school millionaires were at least super eccentric and a lot more interesting than today's! I also loved the Thunderbird Lodge architecture! Would be a blast to tour the grounds!

[@NixAdventrex]

I would definitely do it again. And you're right, today millionaires / billionaires need to step up their George Whittell game. :D

[@NevadaJack]

Great video! I really enjoyed learning about George Whittell and the thunderbird lodge on Lake Tahoe. Keep up the good work.

[@NixAdventrex]

He really adds a bit of character to Lake Tahoe's history!

[@giannavlogs6009]

How fascinating! I typically avoid Tahoe because it’s a tourist trap most of the year, but THIS sounds so interesting! I am going to have to do this tour. Great video and beautiful footage of the lake!

[@NixAdventrex]

You gotta go. I would definitely do it again and bring some friends who have never been.

[@MrRobert7080]

Just seen your new one watching now! Thanks Nix! Tahoe is my old stomping grounds! :)

[@NixAdventrex]

Love Tahoe. Try to spend as much time up there as I can. So much to learn and experience.

[@chantelsandberg801]

Starting your 🎥 now. Wanted to first congratulate you on 600 SUBS. 🙂👍 AWESOME . great work Nix

[@NixAdventrex]

Thank you so much for the congrats and encouragement. Means a lot to me! ☺️

[@DeborahLorraine]

My MIL drug us to this tour and it was so fascinating, I went back two more times!!

[@NixAdventrex]

Yes! I've only done the tour once but I would happily go back again and again!

[@djmartin9896]

Interesting I just realized between Washoe and Incline in the mountians behind Davis Creek theirs a big flat valley and im trying to find footage of it and it is called Whittell forest and wildlife area so i looked it up and learned some history. I still want to see what that valley looks like

[@NixAdventrex]

Whit tell Forest, I’ll have to research that as well. No doubt named after George Whittell.

[@steveludwig4200]

CalNeva and Tahoe Biltmore are both closed so that leaves Crystal Bay as the only operating casino in North Shore? WOW thats surprising since all NV gaming is making so much money these days. I guess South Shore is still where 95% of folks go in Tahoe. Thats too bad because CalNeva was an awesome (and CHEAP) place to stay even as late as the mid 2000s.