Captain George Whittell, Jr., Thunderbird Lodge’s Lake Tahoe Playboy Millionaire

George Whittell, Jr. was at one time the richest man in America, owning the entire east shore of scenic Lake Tahoe. He grew up on San Francisco’s Nob Hill, inherited a family fortune, was a commissioned officer in WWI then built the beautiful Thunderbird Lodge at Lake Tahoe as his private “castle in the sky”. Driving his Duesenberg convertible with Bill the Lion in the back seat, Whittell lead a life of indulgence and seclusion that would unwittingly and fortuitously preserve much of Lake Tahoe for future generations.

Steve Hale has been presenting historical figures from the West and Lake Tahoe region for almost two decades. They include John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson, George Whittell, Jr., Dr. James E. Church, John C. Fremont, Stephen T. Mather and Albert M. Johnson. He has performed at National Parks, State parks in northern California, historical and Western festivals, statue dedications, non-profit fundraising events, dinner theater, commemorative events, interpretive programs, interpretive training, Chautauqua venues and in repertory with other Chautauqua performers.