Tahoe City in Placer County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Post War, 1946 to 1955
Peacetime Changes Tahoe City
A peacetime boom came to Tahoe City. New businesses flourished. Life was changing in ways unimaginable. From the old Tahoe Tavern Winter Sports Grounds, a retired Norwegian sea captain, Kjell “Rusty” Rustad, created a small family-style ski area, Granlibakken, which exists to this day. Squaw Valley began as a ski resort in 1949 with the formation of the Squaw Valley Development Company. This re-set the stage for Tahoe to be a winter destination.
Prior to this era, you had to travel a long way to buy a new refrigerator or clothes washer. That changed when Basil Kehoe transformed Atherton’s Store into an appliance business. New restaurants and lodging sprang up. Tahoe Lake School was remodeled and enlarged. Life indeed was changing in Tahoe City.
Notable People
Andrew “Red” Anderson – Proprietor of Village Store • Geri (Bean) Lawson – First grade teacher for three generations • Donald and Margit Del Carlo – Owners of the Swedish Farmhouse restaurant • Harold R. “Stinky” Farr – First in-the-field employee of Tahoe City Public Utility District • A.M. “Joe” Henry – First fire chief and owner of Tahoe City Garage • Marie Henry – State Ski Champion (1934) and Red Cross organizer • Basil Kehoe – Proprietor of Kehoe’s Market and Appliance, formerly Atherton’s General Merchandise • Fred Kilner – Realtor and developer • Kjell “Rusty” Rustad – Founded Granlibakken, first Tahoe ski resort
Erected 2008 by Rotory Club of Tahoe City.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 39° 10.292′ N, 120° 8.4′ W. Marker is in Tahoe City, California, in Placer County. Marker can be reached from North Lake Boulevard (State Highway 26), on the right when traveling east. Marker is located at Heritage Plaza next to the Watson Cabin Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 560 North Lake Boulevard, Tahoe City CA 96145, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tahoe City Begins, 1860 to 1895 (here, next to this marker); Pioneer Tourism, 1896 to 1926 (here, next to this marker); Southern Pacific, 1926 to 1945 (here, next to this marker); Olympic Silver, 1956 to 1971 (here, next to this marker); Early Tahoe City (a few steps from this marker); Tahoe City (a few steps from this marker); Tahoe City’s “Big Tree” (a few steps from this marker); The Watson Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tahoe City.
Also see . . . History of Granlibakken Resort. The story of skiing at Granlibakken, which in Norwegian means "a hillside sheltered by fir trees". (Submitted on August 26, 2010.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 683 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.