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[Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Story]
Story Historically Speaking......The Cal Neva Resort! The original Lodge was built in 1926 by wealthy San Francisco business man, Robert P. Sherman, who used the Lodge as a guest house for his friends and real estate clients. The Lodge was patterned after Frank Bacon's log cabin in the hit Broadway play, Lightnin;, starring Will Rogers; and the Cal Neva quickly became the playground for celebrities and socialites who wanted to escape from the public eye. In 1928, Cal Neva came into the hands of Norman Biltz who was known as "The Duke of Nevada." No one really know how Biltz and Sherman became involved except that Sherman deeded the property to Biltz for real estate commissions owed him. Then, in 1930, Biltz married Esther Auchincloss Nash, granddaughter to the founder of Standard Oil and an aunt of Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis...thus, the history unfolds. The Cal Neva Lodge burned to the ground on May 17, 1937 and was rebuilt in just over thirty days by Norman Biltz and Adler Larson, another early Tahoe pioneer and developer. Five hundred men were employed to work around the clock to finish the new building which is known today as the Indian Room, Circle Bar, and main Casino area. During the Sinatra ownership years of 1955 to 1968, along with his associates "Wingy" and "Skinny," Sinatra built the now famous Celebrity Showroom and installed a helicopter pad on the roof in an attempt to make access easier for his colleagues and guests appearing at the Cal Neva during summer months. Hollywood followers were enamored with Sinatra and the "Rat Pack," an unforgettable fraternity that linked itself with the White House through Peter Lawford, brother-in-law of the then President-Elect, John F. Kennedy. Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Juliet Prowse and Marilyn Monroe (among others) "sang for their suppers" in the Celebrity Showroom and the Indian Room while politicians and Hollywood stars played at the tables and in the private cottages overlooking Lake Tahoe. Marilyn Monroe was a frequent guest of the Lodge, and scandal generally surrounded her because of the "alleged" secret rendezvous with John F. Kennedy. Then, when the presence of one particular guest, Sam Giancana of Chicago, was noticed by authorities, it finally cost Sinatra his gaming license in a losing battle with the Nevada Gamin Control Board. The "Lady of the Lake" suffered tremendously from neglect before a new round of owners revived her in the 1980's; and in December of 1985 the Cal Neva was given another chance by present owner, Charles P. Bluth, a prominent developer from Southern California. Since the new ownership of the property in 1985, it has become an impressive full-service destination resort, featuring 200 lakeview rooms, suites, and chalets; a complete casino, full-service wedding and honeymoon facility including a photography studio, florist, banquet operation, and special activities planning and coordination. Cal Neva also offers lakeview dining, a complete European Health Spa, beauty salon, gift shop, Video Arcade and Pizzeria. Now known as The Cal Neva Resort, the history remains and we welcome you.... -story compliments of The Cal Neva Resort- Your guide for Lakeview Dining Room informationURL: http://www.tahoesbest.com/Restaurants/lakeviewmenu.htm |
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