Alyssa Exline, Reno.com
February 13, 2008

Visitors can experience the mystery and grandeur of the Thunderbird lodge on Lake Tahoe's East shore with tours at the historic estate.

Located off Highway 28, the lodge was built by George Whittell from 1936-1939 with additions made to the house by Jack Dreyfus in 1985. The lake front estate is on six acres of land and completely hidden from highway travelers. Until recently, only boaters could view the splendid home.

Legends exist at castle on the lake
Tour leaders share the history of what took place behind the opulent stone walls, allowing visitors a glimpse of not only the grounds and the buildings, but also the life of Whittell.

Hidden passageways and other interesting features of the home show the unique way in which Whittell spent his life. Often referred to as eccentric, he was known for bringing his elephant Mingo and lion Bill up to Lake Tahoe. Bill would arrive at the estate in Whittell's custom designed Duesenberg, while Mingo had to be flown in on a plane that landed on the lake.

Thunderbird Lodge opened to public
The magic of the home is evident from the moment you pass through the two stone gateposts just off of Highway 28 and enter the grounds. A long, narrow drive winds past the tree-covered grounds, leading down to the main lodge where the tour begins.

Visitors are able to get a real idea of how the property looked under Whittell's ownership (despite the changes and additions made to the home over the years) because of the ongoing restoration taking place on the property.

Four-tiered waterfall greets visitors at entrance
The tour begins in the main room of the 16,000 square foot lodge. Two large fireplaces stand opposite each other and a large, iron chandelier hangs overhead. Upstairs are two master bedrooms one on each side of the lodge. Large photos of Whittell and his wife, Elia, hang throughout the home. A narrow upstairs walkway connects the bedrooms and offers stunning views of the lake beyond. Spiral staircases in the bedrooms lead to a third floor.

The lodge hides many secrets that are revealed throughout the tour. A warped panel next to Whittell's room turns out to be a hidden door to an elevator installed for Whittell to quietly move about the home. A similar panel outside Elia's room, opens to a large safe where valuables were stored.

A basement runs the length of the lodge, where three staff bedrooms and the main kitchen are located.

Whittell includes special features throughout home
One of the highlights on the tour is the walk through the 600-foot solid granite tunnel located off of the main kitchen. The dimly lit tunnel weaves beneath the property reaching three-stories underground at its deepest. The 3-foot wide, 7-foot high tunnel was built mainly for the staff to bring supplies up from the beach, but it was also a source of inconspicuous travel for Whittell.

In addition to touring the main buildings, visitors can see an outside glimpse of, the elephant house, which looks like a three car garage, the cook and butler's houses, the admiral's house, the care taker's house and a 50-foot lighthouse.

Children learn history hands on
The property has been opened up for both public tours and educational programs. Nearly 1200 students have already participated in some of the educational offerings at Thunderbird Lodge. A coloring book and programs such as History Mystery have been developed to enhance the experience of the younger audience.

Children learn history hands on
The property has been opened up for both public tours and educational programs. Nearly 1200 students have already participated in some of the educational offerings at Thunderbird Lodge. A coloring book and programs such as History Mystery have been developed to enhance the experience of the younger audience.

Tour information
Guided tours last about an hour. Tours are limited to 15 people, although group tours are available. Call 775-832-1606 for more information or to schedule a tour.