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

The Hermit of Emerald Bay

An Eccentric Caretaker

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

1. The Hermit of Emerald Bay Marker

Inscription.
Captain Richard “Dick” Barter found his way to Lake Tahoe in the 1860s. Barter spent the long winters in Emerald Bay as the sole caretaker of a summer villa owned by Ben Holladay, Jr.

Originally an English sailor, Barter was known to row all the way to Tahoe City to visit the saloons. One such trip in 1870 nearly killed him. While rowing home, his small dinghy capsized in a sudden winter storm. The 65-year old sailor tied himself to the dinghy and rode out the storm. Afterward, Barter is said to have amputated two of his frostbitten toes with his carving knife and saved the toes to show visitors.

An Island Tomb The near death experience prompted Barter to select Fannette Island as his final resting place. He excavated a tomb on the island’s summit and erected a small chapel over it. Despite his preparations, Barter never made it to the tomb. While rowing home one night in 1873, his dinghy was caught in a wild storm. This time, his dinghy flipped and his body was never recovered.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers

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• Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 38° 56.803′ N, 120° 5.924′ 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: Fannette Island (here, next to this marker); Vikingsholm – A Scandinavian Castle (a few steps from this marker); Da ow a ga – Lake Tahoe (a few steps from this marker); Tahoe By Car

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

2. The Hermit of Emerald Bay Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); Enjoy the View from Inspiration Point (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.

Regarding The Hermit of Emerald Bay. "In Ben Holladay's house at Emerald Bay is a masterly piece of workmanship in the shape of a full rigged man-of-war, with men, guns and all the usual appurtenances and appliances. This Dick made during his hermitage, and for the remainder of his time he floated idly upon the lake, took charge of Holladay's house and grounds, or worked upon his own grave! Strange as it may appear, on a rock island in Emerald Bay, he fashioned a grave out of solid rock, built over it a house, erected above it a Catholic cross, and gave directions to have his body placed in the stony crypt. He loved the lake, and for hours at a time drifted about in his boat. At times he drank heavily, and when he felt the stupor of intoxication stealing over him he would row toward the middle of the lake,

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

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

3. Fannette Island in Emerald Bay

Per a photo caption on the marker Barter's chapel now only survives in photographs.

lie down in his boat and drift with the waves until he became sober. Poor Dick! he left Glenbrook one fearfully windy day much the worse for liquor, and off Rubicon Rocks his boat was seen to disappear. When the storm subsided his trusty boat was found crushed to minute fragments in the clefts of the rocks. One oar, much worn and chafed by rocks and waves, lay with the pieces of boat. The other oar was found three months afterwards in the same place, worn but slightly. The inference was plain. Captain Dick carried with him the last oar to the bottom of Tahoe. How it became detached from his death grip no one knows, but all his old friends regard this oar as a sad messenger sent to tell that Captain Dick's body has no further claims upon this upper world, not even upon the grave he prepared."
Sacramento Daily Record-Union, May 29, 1875.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 14, 2010

4. Fannette Island in Emerald Bay

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2009

5. Fannette Island in Emerald Bay

Viewed from the Tahoe Queen Tour Cruise

Photographed by Denise Boose, August 7, 2009

6. Fannette Island in Emerald Bay

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,148 times since then and 85 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2025, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on August 27, 2010, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5, 6. submitted on May 20, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.