Near South Lake Tahoe in El Dorado County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

"The Only Way to See Lake Tahoe"

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 11, 2016

1. "The Only Way to See Lake Tahoe" Marker

Inscription.
Before roads were built in the Tahoe area in the 1920s, sailing on a steamer was the only way for visitors to reach the resorts lining the south shore. The Tod Goodwin outdid all the other steamers in size and speed. It could carry 150 passengers at a time, and cruised at a "brisk" 13½ knots (15.5 mph).

The Tod Goodwin was the final large wooden steamer to navigate Tahoe's waters. Other boats eventually surpassed it in speed and elegance, and in the end, the steamer was abandoned on the shoreline, where it broke into pieces.

Erected by USDA Forest Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 56.329′ N, 120° 2.604′ W. Marker is near South Lake Tahoe, California, in El Dorado County. It can be reached from Heritage Way. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Heritage Way, 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,

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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 walking distance of this marker: Riding into the Winner's Circle (within shouting distance of this marker); New Life for an Old Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Room for Friends (about 300 feet away); A Room with a View (about 400 feet away); The Pope Estate (about 500 feet away); Valhalla Grand Hall at the Heller Estate (about 500 feet away); Supporting a Life of Ease (about 500 feet away); Tea Time at the Gazebo (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in South Lake Tahoe.

More about this marker. Marker is located within the Tallac Historic Site.

<i>Tod Goodwin</i> remnants scattered about image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 11, 2016

2. Tod Goodwin remnants scattered about

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, November 11, 2016

3. Tod Goodwin remnants scattered about

<i>Tod Goodwin, of Lake Tahoe</i> image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the University of Nevada, Reno, circa 1890

4. Tod Goodwin, of Lake Tahoe

Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 19, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 626 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on June 16, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 19, 2018, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. 4. submitted on January 22, 2018. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.