City: Tahoe City, CA

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (530) 583-1762

Description: The gatekeeper of Lake Tahoe was entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the level of the lake, using a hand-turned winch system to keep the water at prescribed levels. He lived in the gatekeeper’s cabin on the south side of Fanny Bridge. The original cabin, built sometime between 1910 and 1916, was destroyed by fire in 1978. The present cabin was built in 1981 with funds raised by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Since 1986 the Federal Watermaster’s Office in Reno has regulated the level of the lake. Today the gatekeeper’s cabin is a museum showcasing Lake Tahoe’s past through natural history displays, stories of pioneers, and priceless artifacts. Of particular interest are exhibits showing the effects of growth and pollution on the Tahoe Basin. Tucked away in a forest of ancient conifers, the handcarved, lodgepole pine structure is an exemplary specimen of Tahoe-style architecture. Its interior is cozy and warm, almost inviting you to curl up in front of the fire with a good historical novel. Be sure not to miss the Marion Steinbach Indian Basket Museum, a collection of more than 800 baskets from tribes all over the country, on display here. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday May 1 through June 15 and from Labor Day until October 1, and it’s open every day from June 16 through Labor Day. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is nominal, and donations are welcome.