Tahoe Through the Years! Celebrating 50 Years of Greatness!

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Aimi X. in Adventure // 0 Comments

The City of South Lake Tahoe is 50 years old!

This year’s anniversary theme is “Past, Present, and Future”.

The Past

Fifty years ago, community members throughout South Lake Tahoe came together and determined the best course of action for their future was self-governance. After many years of preparing, planning, neighborhood meetings and door-to-door conversations, on November 30, 1965 individual neighborhoods became one city: The City of South Lake Tahoe.

Above: Stateline 1966. Below: Stateline 1974

Since then the City of South Lake Tahoe has grown to include a multitude of amenities. Did you know that the Bijou Golf Course was opened in 1920 with the same configuration it has today? The City purchased the golf course to establish the city municipal course from the Johnson-Springmeyer family in 1983.

And let’s not forget the 1960’s winter Olympics, which tipped the world off on this beautiful gem nestled in the Eastern Sierras. Tahoe has since grown from a sleepy ski town to a worldwide recreation destination capable of hosting thousands of visitors at any given day!

The Present

The view we’ve all come to know and love.

The City has spent the past six months promoting the 50th Anniversary with events including the Fire Department and City Hall Open House events, a History Hunt and the September Parade. The City’s signature summer concert series, Live at Lakeview, brought the community and visitors together with ten free shows featuring live music, a tent village, and food vendors.

The opening of the new Bijou Bike Park, summer 2015, is a huge milestone for the City of South Lake Tahoe. Located within the Bijou Community Park, the new bike park offers multiple level options so any rider can enjoy the park. The bike park joins an existing community park, disc golf course, skateboard park, basketball court and derby rink.

On November 7, 2015, the City is hosting the community’s 50th anniversary celebration and “golden gala” at Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel. The celebration will recognize founding leaders, community organizations, community members and the many accomplishments of the past 50 years. Tickets for the event were limited and are no longer available.

“The City’s 50th Anniversary Gala is a pinnacle of the events and we look forward to closing out the year with the Light up Lake Tahoe event on December 5th,” said Tracy Franklin, city public information officer.

The Tahoe Journal will be there taking photos on the red carpet, so check back for complete coverage. More information for the Light up Lake Tahoe event on December 5th coming soon!

The Future

Only 33 miles from Reno!

As the mysterious hands of time continue to develop the “small and quirky” City of South Lake Tahoe, we all ponder the same questions. What will become of our beloved city? What new developments are afoot, and how will they function to improve our community?

Only time will tell.

But what we know for certain is The City of South Lake Tahoe is a tight-knit community comprised of individuals who care deeply for our home. From our leaders to our neighbors to ourselves, we can work together to continue building a better future for this beautiful town we have the gift of calling ‘home’.

A Commemorative Photo Album!

Believe it or not, before there was the Hard Rock Casino there was the Sahara! Before the CVS on 50 there was the Bijou Center! And Lakeview Commons is just as popular as it ever was!

Join us as we reflect on the past 50 years in Tahoe with the photo album below!

If anyone has more information regarding a certain photo (which is very likely, hah!) please feel free to send us a better caption at contact@thetahoejournal.com!

: Tahoe making headlines in 1965!

: Norm Woods served as mayor 8 times as well as a city councilman!

: The first mayor and coucilmembers were studs!

: As indicated by her dress fringe will never go out of style!

: We believe this is the airport getting paved.

: Tallac in the prime of her youth. In mountain years about 5 minutes have passed since this photo was taken.

: Cecil’s Market on Highway 50, which has since been replaced with California Burger and Azul. Yup, that’s that intersection by Raley’s market!

: In front of the old Cecil’s Market on Highway 50. Today it’s the far righthand corder of Heavenly Village!

: The old Bijou Center and parking lot, which is now the CVS on highway 50! Check out those sweet rides!

: Regan Beach back in the day!

: The old SLT city offices!

: “PHONE HERE! RIGHT HERE! DON’T MISS IT!”

: The Harvey’s bombing of 1980.

: Regan Beach 1970s!

: Jimboy’s Tacos were too hot to handle it seems.

: Highway 50. No fishing from the bridge ya heathens!

: “I caught me a winner!” Mayor Norm Woods caught a big one!

: Highway 50 heading west.

: The old Lampson’s market and Bank of America!

: Heading west on the old Highway 50. There’s the Outdoorsman, where you could buy a gun, rod, ski’s and more!

: The old South Tahoe High school track between Johnson and Al Tahoe, which originally served as the Olympic track team’s practice track. The Olympic team practiced there, at altitude, in preparation for the 1968 Olympics which were held at Mexico City.

: Ronald Reagan at Stateline.

: For every woman who lived here, you missed the two most important stores in town: Del’s Market-the only place on the south shore where you could by tampons after 5pm (and they closed at 8) and Lawrence’s Department store, the only place in town you could by ladies undies! (in the late 60s, early 70s).

: Original sketch of City welcome sign. 1993

: This vacation cabin and many more, were washed away as a result of the 1983 mudslide near Kyburz

: Y2K didn’t blow up the world, it brought us a gondola! Exciting times for Tahoe!

: Can you guess where this photo was taken? Hint: McP’s Taphouse now sits here…

: The original sketch of the Embassy Suites Hotel before construction.

: Before there was the gondola, there was the coveted “DOUBLE CHAIR LIFT”! Come get your spectacular scenic ride today! And grab a ham-hock at the deli on your way back home.