Introduction

 

Fleur du Lac has held great fascination for me since my family and I started going to Lake Tahoe in the mid-1980s. Back then, it was a short three-hour trip from our house in the Bay Area to Tahoe City, and we happily loaded up our “woody” Jeep Grand Wagoneer on Friday afternoons and headed for the Lake.  My three young daughters loved coming to Tahoe and actually learned to swim and waterski in its frigid waters. Trips on the Lake to waterski with our young family in Richardson Bay, also known as “Hurricane Bay” by locals, in the summer almost always ended with a cruise past the beautiful Fleur du Lac property. Many a time on these trips past the Estate I resolved that someday my family would own one of the beautiful chateaux on the grounds. My wife, and co-author, Paula would just roll her eyes and say: “we’ll see”. It did all seem a bit far-fetched at the time given our economic circumstances and the very high price tags for the properties. But sometimes dreams do come true, and a few years ago we were fortunate enough to become one of the 22 current owners at Fleur du Lac.

 

My fascination with Fleur du Lac comes not only from the property itself, but the myths and mysteries surrounding not only the property, but also the famous family who created Fleur du Lac and subsequent families who became owners of the property as well. As a child, I remembered seeing Henry Kaiser on television, advertising his aluminum foil “it’s quilted!”, as well as hosting the “Kaiser Aluminum Hour” (which debuted July 3, 1956 on NBC), bringing a new higher production quality and a host of promising new stars to television. Kaiser also produced my family’s favorite television series, “Maverick”; we even enjoyed the commercials about the fascinating places he was creating in exotic Hawaii. My dad, a confirmed “Ford man”, was so taken by Kaiser that he had even decided to buy a Henry J automobile, until my mother sensibly intervened. As an engineer by training, I have always had respect bordering on awe for Henry Kaiser, the scion of the family and the creator of Fleur du Lac. His industrial accomplishments during World War II, Korea and beyond are legendary. He was without a doubt, the most famous and important industrialist of his era, and his era was a pivotal period in the development of the United States. What had led Mr. Kaiser, who could have built anywhere in the world, to choose this particular land on Tahoe’s West Shore for his personal retreat? But surprisingly, considering his mammoth industrial success and contributions to the US, there is remarkably little written about the Kaiser family, and nothing at all written about Fleur du Lac.

 

Since we now enjoy being on the property, there have been many occasions when we have heard announcers on the tour boats that pass close by at least once a day during the summer, tell stories about Fleur du Lac, many of which are half true at best. So, Paula and I decided to set the record straight about Fleur du Lac and the families who have created, maintained, and improved the property. We were fortunate to have wonderful sources, including all of the families that have owned the property, voluminous documentation, thousands of photographs, thousands of feet of original 16mm movie film, including some taken by Mr. Kaiser himself, audio recordings of Kaiser family members, and many hours of personal interviews, all of which have made it possible for us to write this book.

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We wanted to do something more than a "coffee table picture book", although we have included more than 200 photographs and images in our book.  We wanted to tell compelling and interesting "stories from behind the walls" without being academic or stuffy.  And, we wanted to write a living story by creating a way to update, enhance or correct elements of the stories even after the book is published.  With the book now in production and the launch of this dedicated website, we hope we have achieved our goals.  That, of course, is for our readers to decide.

 

There is something for everyone.  Architecture buffs, wooden boat and boat racing enthusiasts, business historians, celebrity followers, and lovers of Lake Tahoe heritage should all be able to find at least something interesting in the book.  There are many stories that have never been told and other stories that have become urban myths that are corrected in the book.  There are surprises, intrigue, triumph, joy, and heartbreak just as in any truly compelling story.  We hope you enjoy our work.

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Fleur du Lac: 

Stories From Behind the Walls of The Flower of the Lake 

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Builder Dedication Poem

 

Preface

 

Acknowledgments

 

Introduction

 

Early Tahoe

Washoe Indians

Fremont "Discovers" Lake Tahoe

Gold and Silver Discovered in California and Nevada

Timber Industry Flourishes, Then Dies

Commercial Focus Changes to Boating and Recreation

Early Settlers

Social Centers on the West Shore

The Development of Tahoe Pines

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The Kaiser Era: 1934 to 1962

The Birth of Fleur du Lac

The Kaiser Family

Kaiser Family Roots

The Arrival of Henry

Henry Leaves School

Henry Goes to Work

Henry as a Young Entrepreneur

Bess Fosburgh Enters the Picture

Edgar Fosburgh Offers a Challenge

Go West Young Man

Early Life in the West

Kaiser Becomes a Contractor

The Defining Projects of Kaiser's Construction Era

The Road Project in Cuba

The Real Breakthrough: Hoover Dam Project

Building Fleur du Lac

Four Significant Whys?

Why Now?

Why Lake Tahoe?

Why the West Shore of Lake Tahoe?

Why This Particular Parcel in Tahoe Pines?

Acquiring the Land

Designing Fleur du Lac

Taming Blackwood Creek

Kaiser Company Engineers Developed all Plans

Finding the Best Local Craftsmen

Landscape and Interior Design Coordinated by Bess

Constructing Fleur du Lac

Mother Nature Upsets Henry's Plans

A Construction Whirlwind

The Plan

Completing the Most Expensive New Estate in Tahoe History

Details of the Estate Structures

Interior Decorations

A Gallery of Vintage Fleur du Lac Photographs

Two Major Mistakes

Managing the Level of Lake Tahoe and the Flow-rate of the Truckee River

Life at Fleur du Lac

The Joyous Era: 1935 to 1951 (The Family Era)

Life at Tahoe Seemed Oblivious to Events Elsewhere in the World

Famous Guests at Fleur du Lac

Boating was the Central Social Activity

Fleur du Lac was Not a Place of Relaxation for Kaiser's Business Staff

"Kaiser Time"

Fleur du Lac and Cottages Named in 1937

Other Prominent New Estates at Lake Tahoe

Contrast Between Kaiser and Whittell

Fleur du Lac is a Business Center for Kaiser

Henry's National Stature Expands

A Serious Threat to Lake Tahoe - Washoe Valley Tunnel Project

Henry Almost Becomes President of the United States

Bess's Failing Health; Her Last Trip to Fleur du Lac

Era Ended With Bess's Death

Henry Announces Plans to Marry Aleyce Chester

Implications of Marriage on Family, Kaiser Companies and Fleur du Lac

The Era of Change: 1951 to 1955 (The Ale Era)

Ale Takes Over; Atmosphere at Fleur du Lac Changes Dramatically

Younger Guests; More Vigorous Sporting Activities

Boating Continued to be the Central Activity at Fleur du Lac

Table of Race Results for the Era of Change

Photograph of Hornet II and 007

Intrigue at Fleur du Lac

Fleur du Lac was a Place Where Important Things Seemed to Happen

Kaiser - Frazer Failing

The Birth of the Henry J

The Beautiful Kaiser - Darrin Sports Car

Kaiser - Frazer was Now in Desperate Shape

A Huge Personal Blow to Henry

Plan to Build Kaiser Automobiles in Argentina Hatched at Fleur du Lac

The "Tahoe Conference" to Save Kaiser Permanente was Held at Fleur du Lac

Kaiser Companies Board Meetings at Fleur du Lac in 1955

Kaiser Arranges a Family Reunion

Henry and Edgar Debut Their New Unlimited Hydroplane Hawaii Kai

Kaiser Decides to Move to Hawaii

Why Hawaii?

Henry's Focus Changes

The Story of "Kaiser Pink"

The Era of Change had a Melancholy Tone for Kaiser and His Family

The End of the Kaiser Era: 1956 to 1962 (The Henry Jr Era)

Edgar Arranges a Match Race Between Hawaii Kai and Scooter Too in Hawaii

Henry Kaiser Jr. is the Official Family Host at Fleur du Lac

Although Diminished, Boating and Boat Racing Continued to be Important

Meanwhile, Significant Events were Happening Elsewhere in the Kaiser Empire

Henry Jr. Dies

The End of an Era

Kaiser Accomplishments During the Fleur du Lac Era (1935 to 1962)

Early Success in Construction

Serendipitous Entry into Industrial Products

Kaiser's Contribution to World War II Effort: Ships

Kaiser's Contribution to World War II Effort: Aircraft

Kaiser Moved into Steel out of Necessity

Astute Moves into Aluminum and Magnesium

Foray into Consumer Products: Automobiles

Homebuilding at Kaiser Community Homes

Kaiser Permanente is Born out of Necessity

Later Moves into Hospitality, Housing and Media During the Hawaii Years

But Not All Dreams Come True

Conclusions and Recap

Prosperity's Prophet

The Kaiser Family in the Golden Age of Lake Tahoe Boating

Early Boating on Lake Tahoe

Speedboats, Organized Racing and Henry J Kaiser Arrive

Hull and Engine Breakthroughs Increase the Fun

The Invention of Hydroplaning Hulls Changes Boat Racing

War Surplus Aircraft Engines Power the New Hull Designs

A Dramatic Change at Tahoe: Professional Race Boat Drivers

The Rivalry that Popularized Tahoe Racing: Kaiser vs. Dollar

Why did Kaiser Choose Boat Racing?

Why did Dollar Choose Boat Racing?

A Brief Look at the Most Famous Kaiser and Dollar Race Boats

A List of All Kaiser Boats

The Complete Record of Lake Championship Races in the Kaiser / Dollar Era

The Most Successful Lake Championship Series Race Boat of All Time

The Most Successful Lake Championship Series Driver of All Time

Which Family Won the Lake Championship Series Rivalry?

Kaiser and Dollar Decide to Compete at the National Level in 1949

The APBA Gold Cup Races

The Harmsworth Cup Races

Kaiser's Planning Begins for the 1949 Races

Selecting the Venue for Pre-Race Water Trials

Selecting the Drivers

Commissioning Kaiser's New Race Boats

Specifications for Kaiser's New Harmsworth and Gold Cup Race Boats

Disappointment at Lake Placid

Failure in the 1949 Gold Cup and Harmsworth Cup Races

In the Aftermath of Failure

Reincarnation

One More for the Boys at the Radum Plant

Both Stanley Dollar Jr. and Henry Kaiser Sr. Bow out of Racing

The "Thunderboat" Era and a New Kaiser family Standard Bearer

The Saga of Hawaii Kai III

Creeping Environmentalism and a Lack of Local Interest Silence the Thunderboats    at Lake Tahoe

A Eulogy for Boat Racing at Lake Tahoe

An Historical Photo Album of Boat Racing at Lake Tahoe

A Personal Look at the Kaisers

A Kaiser Family Photo Album

Henry J. Kaiser Sr.

The Pillars of Kaiser's Success: Foresight, Optimism, Commitment to Action

An "Old School" Seat of the Pants Entrepreneur

Master Communicator and Salesman

Daily Routine

Personality traits

Sentimental, but Not a Sentimentalist

Politically Liberal and a Friend of Labor Unions

A Sensitive Aesthetic

An Inveterate Tinkerer

Unabashed Proponent of Materialism and Capitalism

The Downsides of Kaiser's Intense Business Focus

Few Close Personal Relationships

Estrangement from Family

Eulogy by Lyndon B. Johnson

Bess Fosburgh Kaiser

A Privileged but Unhappy Childhood

A Perfect Match for Henry

Personality Traits

Known as "Mother" by Kaiser Executives

Few Close Feminine Relationships

Estrangement from Daughters-in-law and Grandchildren

Focus was on Kaiser Permanente

Edgar F. Kaiser

Personality Traits

Kaiser - Frazer a Major Blow

Shared Love of Boat Racing with His Father

Painful Estrangement from Henry After Ale Marriage and Move to Hawaii

Failure to Sustain the Family Business Empire

Henry J. Kaiser Jr.

Personality Traits

Serious Chronic Disease Limited Involvement in Business

The Pamily "Poet"

Became the Family Host at Fleur du Lac After His Father's Hawaii Move

Suffered Most from Family Estrangement After Ale Marriage

Aleyce Chester Kaiser

Personality Traits

Ale Exacerbates the Family Rift

Ale Abandons Hawaii and Kaiser Family After Henry Sr's Death

The Villain or a Devoted Wife?

Kaiser After Fleur du Lac: 1962 to 1967

Henry was now Totally Focused on Ale and Hawaii

Excited by a Fresh Start in Business

Hospitality

Media

Real Estate Development

Always the Aesthete, Kaiser Builds a Beautiful New Estate

A Magnet for Celebrity Visitors

Estrangement from Family and Company

The Curtain Falls

Epilog of the Kaiser Years

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The DeMaria Era: 1962 to 1968

The Boat Ride

The Deal of the Century: Acquiring Fleur du Lac

A Nose for a Deal

Help from "Lindy"

Kaiser's Motivations

An Exceptional Deal for DeMaria

The Partners: "These were not wealthy guys"

Celebrating the Deal

It was as if the Kaiser's had Simply Gone Away for the Weekend and Never Came Back

Changing of the Old Guard at Lake Tahoe

The DeMaria Family

DeMaria's Plans for Fleur du Lac

Encouraged by Recent Winter Olympic Games in Squaw Valley, DeMaria Touted a Year-Round Resort

DeMaria'a Modest Development Plans

Operate as a Recreational Community During Development Planning and Fundraising

Life at Fleur du Lac as a "Family Resort"

Stonewalled by Permitting Agencies

Immediate Problems Obtaining Place County Approvals

The Perfect Storm

Super Agencies Created to "Protect Lake Tahoe"

A Fateful Decision Leads to Dark Days at Fleur du Lac

Desperation

Allowed Private School on Fleur du Lac Grounds to Defray Costs

The Fleur du Lac Academy

An Ill-Considered Plan that was Doomed from the Start

Delayed Maintenance and Destruction from Private School

James J. Viso and "Davey Crockett" to the Rescue

Santa Clara University

An Introduction Through a Santa Clara University Connection

Boat-Related Serendipity Leads to Viso Offer for Fleur du Lac

Celebrity Partners Fess Parker and Jimmy Dean

The Francis Ford Coppola Connection

The Epilog of the DeMaria Era

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The Viso Era: 1968 to 1979

It All Began With a Crazy Business Proposition

A Colorful Personality in Nascent Silicon Valley

Education and Early Life

Business Entrepreneur

A Maverick Political Entrepreneur

Electoral Success at Age 29

Recall!

A Viso-Produced Goldwater Campaign Video Jumpstarts Ronald Reagan's Political Career

Becomes a Close Friend of Ronald Reagan

Finally, Vindication in the Recall Episode and a New Political Life

The Surprising Santa Clara University Nexus

A New Outlet for Viso's Boundless Energy

Inventing the "Golden Circle Theater"

Critical New Friendships and Contacts for Viso

Making a Huge Impact on Santa Clara

Viso Family Life

Acquiring Fleur du Lac and Eagle Rock Properties

"Discovered" Fleur du Lac on the Hydrofoil Research Trip

Later Interest was to Berth Excursion Boat Sea Stag II

A Santa Clara University Connection Led Viso to Fleur du Lac

The Second Best Deal of the Century: Viso Acquires Fleur du Lac

Viso Also Acquires Eagle Rock Property from John C. Bennywig Family

Sea Stag II's Lasting Impact on Lake Tahoe

Plans for Fleur du Lac and Eagle Rock Properties

The Original Shuttle Business was Quickly Recognized as a Bust

Viso Could Not Afford Fleur du Lac as a Family Retreat

Hired Economic Research Associates to Prepare Economic Analyses

It was a Different Time for Lake Tahoe Real Estate

Alternative Plans: a "Recreational Club"

Viso's Plans for Fleur du Lac and Eagle Rock Properties

Fleur du Lac Almost Sold to Southern Pacific Railroad Executives

Politics and Betrayal

Environmental Movement at Lake Tahoe Gathering Momentum

Lunching With the Enemy

Viso Gains Approvals

The TRPA Goes to Court

Desperation

Friend Ronald Reagan Disappoints

Finally, Some Relief by the Courts

State of California Buys Eagle Rock Property from Viso

John DeMaria Recommends that Francis Ford Coppola Film Godfather II at Fleur du Lac

A "Chance" Meeting Between Coppola and Viso

Coppola Offers to Buy Fleur du Lac

Filming Godfather II

Godfather II was a Great Success

Five Things You Probably Don't Know About Godfather II

Life at Fleur du Lac

Chad Viso Recollections

A Very Different Boating Scene

A Very Different Social Scene as Well

A Near-death Experience

Selling Fleur du Lac

Viso is Desperate as TRPA Stonewalling Continues

A New Buyer Emerges

A Negotiated Settlement with the TRPA

The Wrap on the Viso Era

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The Sahadi Era: 1979 to 1990

A Bit Part in Godfather II Leads to Fleur du Lac Purchase

Acquiring Fleur du Lac

Another Great Deal?

Andrews and Sahadi Intervene in Outstanding Viso Litigation

Finally, a Resolution with the CTRPA

A Quick Reality Check for Fred Andrews

A New Direction for Sahadi and Fleur du Lac

The Sahadi Family

Fred Sahadi Personal Background

Fred Sahadi Professional Background

Fred Sahadi Personal Characteristics

Helen Sahadi and the Sahadi Children

Sahadi Family Interests

Horse Racing

A New Concept for Fleur du Lac

Fred Sahadi's "Big Idea"

Testing Existing Lake Tahoe Norms

Designing the New Fleur du Lac

Sahadi's Design Concepts

The Most Important Collaborators

Building the New Fleur du Lac

A Joyous Time for the Sahadi Family

Housing for Workers was an Issue

Pursuing Sahadi's "World Class" Objective was Expensive

But Not Everything was Happy: Union Troubles

Recollections of Fleur du Lac Workers

A Photo Gallery: The Beautiful New Fleur du Lac

High Budget International Marketing Campaign

Lavish Parties at Fleur du Lac

The Sahadi Air Force

A "Very Stupid Mistake"

Busting an Urban Myth

Severe Economic and Political Headwinds Arise

Poor Economic Conditions and Sky-high Interest Rates

Congress Tries to Help with Deregulation but Only Makes Matters Worse

Regulatory Conditions in the Tahoe Basin Compound Economic Problems

Sahadi's Personal "Perfect Storm"

As if Someone had "Just Flipped a Switch"

Dark Times for Sahadi Made Worse by Climatic Conditions

Drought Conditions Lower Lake Level to Natural Rim and Increase Fire Risks

A New Fire Suppression System to Protect Fleur du Lac and the Tahoe Pines Neighborhood

Low Water Level in Harbor Creates Fire Threat to Fleur du Lac and Surrounding Community

A Fateful Decision and Egregious Governmental Overreach: The Infamous Dredging Incident

A Dire Warning from the Local Fire Chief​​​​

A Threat from Insurance Carriers

Delays, Delays and Another Warning from the Fire Chief

Sahadi and Homeowners' Board in a Hopeless Position

Sahadi Makes Decision to Dredge Harbor Without Permits

The Battle of his Personal and Professional Life

Agencies Immediately Sue Sahadi and Homeowners' Association

A More Ominous Threat Surfaces

Sahadi Accepts a Plea Deal with the U.S. Government

Irony: Government Admits No Harm Done to Lake Tahoe

The Financial Tally and A Challenge to Readers

The Aftermath of the Dredging Incident

Sahadi in Desperate Financial Condition

Fleur du Lac Homeowners' Association in Financial Straits

S&L Lender to Sahadi on Verge of Bankruptcy

Later Political Ramifications

New Leadership Emerges at Fleur du Lac

There was Non-financial Devastation as well

The Wrap on the Sahadi Era

The Siren Song of Fleur du Lac had Claimed Another Victim

A Remarkable Achievement Under Impossible Conditions

Sahadi's Contribution to the Future of Fleur du Lac is Equivalent to that of Henry Kaiser​

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Modern Fleur du Lac: 1991 to Today

Sahadi Exits Fleur du Lac

Homeowners Take Control

The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming!

Opportunists "Invade" Fleur du Lac

Sleazy Underworld Businessmen and Politicians, Russian Kleptocrats and the KGB

Taking Advantage of Turmoil in Russia

International Skirmishes Over the Golden ADA Spoils

Meanwhile, Back at Fleur du Lac: Big Guys in Brown Suits with Heavy Accents

Stability

Preserving an Icon: A Gallery of Photographs from the Modern Fleur du Lac

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Concluding Thoughts and a Bit of Imagination

A Compelling Story

Timeline of Events at Fleur du Lac and in the World

Time Arrows

The Death of Bess Kaiser

Henry as a Vice Presidential Candidate in 1944

Francis Ford Coppola Offers to Buy Fleur du Lac

Reagan Vetoes Money for a State Park

Rise of Environmentalism at Lake Tahoe

Conclusion

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