Steve Hale will present a live Chautauqua reenactment of one of Tahoe’s most memorable historic characters, George Whittell Jr., at Lake of the Sky Amphitheater at the Taylor Creek Visitor Center in South Lake Tahoe.

The WWI ambulance driver, circus performer, and playboy lived off the millions he inherited from his parents. His enormous assets allowed him to purchase the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, accidentally leaving a legacy of 27 miles of undeveloped shoreline for the enjoyment of the public today.

Whittell’s famous Thunderbird Lodge was built in the 1930s as a summer residence. The house was designed by prominent Reno architect Frederick DeLongchamps. It included extensive gardens, fantastic waterfalls and ponds, and a 600-foot tunnel connected to a boat house to berth the “Thunderbird,” his fifty-five-foot mahogany yacht.

In his 60s, Whittell’s fondness for animals increased and his toleration of people waned. He often brought his favorite four-legged friends to Tahoe for the summer, including Mingo the elephant and Bill the lion. He did maintain a small group of associates who joined him at the Thunderbird Lodge for high-stakes card games and all-night drinking parties in his card house. Among his guests were baseball legend Ty Cobb and, purportedly, Howard Hughes.

Audiences have enjoyed Hale’s engaging reenactments of Western historical figures for more than two decades. Hale has performed at state and national parks throughout the West, Yosemite’s Valley Theater during the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary, fundraising events, dinner theaters, commemorative events, Chautauqua venues, and in repertory with other Chautauqua performers.