A well-known lakeside property on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe could see significant changes as federal officials consider removing a group of aging historic buildings.
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public input on a proposal to construct multiple structures at Round Hill Pines Resort within the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
The plan includes demolishing nine buildings in the Historic Cabin District. Those structures include a guest house, dining hall, caretaker’s house, garage and laundry facilities, boiler house, gardener’s house, and three employee cottages. Officials say the buildings are aging and their condition is a factor in the proposal.
At the same time, five buildings would be kept and considered for adaptive reuse, including the grand lodge.
Under the National Historic Preservation Act, federal agencies are required to look at feasible alternatives before removing historic structures. The Forest Service says community feedback will be part of that process.
People have 30 days from the announcement issued on Monday, March 23, to submit comments or suggest alternatives by email. Officials say those responses will help evaluate possible options moving forward.
The property dates back to the 1920s, when it was developed as a private summer estate by Norman DeVaux, a cross-country cyclist who later became a West Coast automobile distributor and helped establish Chevrolet and Durant Motors.
The estate included a lodge, guest cabins, service buildings, and recreational features. Additional structures were added after the property changed ownership in 1931.
In 1951, the site was converted into a commercial destination known as Round Hill Pines Resort. It operated with motel-style units before closing in 1969 due to sewage issues.
The Forest Service acquired the property in 1985, including the beach, marina, and 28 buildings. The site now provides public access to the lake and operates under a special use permit.
