Near Emerald Bay in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Fannette Island

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

1. Fannette Island Marker

Inscription. Tahoe’s Only Island Over the last 100 years, Tahoe’s only island has been known by a number of names. In 1866, a group of young vacationers dreamed up the first name, Coquette, a word referring to a flirtatious or seductive woman. Attracted to the island’s beauty, the group found the climb to the top of the small island impossible.

The island inspired other names, such as Dead Man’s and Hermit’s Island after Captain Dick Barter. As the sole caretaker of a nearby resort, Barter lived at Emerald Bay and died in one of the lake’s winter storms. Also called, Baronoffi Island and Emerald Isle, the island’s current name, Fannette, is thought to be a mis-interpretation of the island’s original name Coquette.

Mrs. Knight’s Teahouse Find the small stone building at the top of the island. Built as the same time as Vikingsholm, Mrs. Knight had stone hauled to the island for construction. The rustic 16 by 16 foot house served as Mrs. Knight’s teahouse. Visited only a few times each summer, she brought her guests to the island by boat.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 38° 56.803′ N,

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120° 5.918′ W. Marker is near Emerald Bay, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from Emerald Bay Road (State Highway 89), on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at the Inspiration Point Rest Area. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: South Lake Tahoe CA 96150, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sacramento Metro,

in the Sierra Nevada,

and in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

It is also in the American Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Hermit of Emerald Bay (here, next to this marker); Vikingsholm – A Scandinavian Castle (a few steps from this marker); Tahoe By Car (a few steps from this marker); Enjoy the View from Inspiration Point (within shouting distance of this marker); Da ow a ga – Lake Tahoe

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

2. Fannette Island Marker

Fannette Island can be seen on the far left.

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Veteran (approx. 2.6 miles away); Lucky's Legacy (approx. 2.8 miles away); Welcome to the Historic Tallac Resort (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Emerald Bay.

Also see . . . Fannette Island. California State Parks information on Fannette Island. (Submitted on August 30, 2010.)

Emerald Bay and Fannette Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

3. Emerald Bay and Fannette Island

Mrs. Knight's Teahouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

4. Mrs. Knight's Teahouse

The small stone structure at the top of the mountain.

Fannette Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

5. Fannette Island

Rising 150 feet above the bay, the island is a knob of granite that resisted the scouring of glaciers thousands of years ago.

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2009

6. Fannette Island

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2009

7. Fannette Island

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2009

8. Fannette Island

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,787 times since then and 183 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 30, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.