Thunderbird Lodge

Thunderbird Lodge is a residential estate with rustic architecture on the Lake Tahoe shoreline, featuring a main house and several outbuildings. The structures connect through underground tunnels and employ natural building materials throughout the design.

Architect Frederic DeLongchamps designed the property starting in 1936, completing it in 1938 for owner George Whittell Jr. This construction project influenced residential architecture in the region during the pre-war era.

The lodge displays early residential design principles using natural materials that shaped how wealthy owners built homes in the region. This approach shows how the estate integrated local building traditions with personal taste and the lakeside setting.

The property is open to visitors through guided tours that explain the buildings and local history. Expect to walk across the grounds, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

The estate once housed Mingo, an Indian elephant, whose shelter still stands on the grounds today. This unusual detail reveals the eccentric interests of the original owner.

Location: Incline Village-Crystal Bay

Inception: 1938

Architects: Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps

Architectural style: rustic architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.17429,-119.93222

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:24