One-Eyed Joe King Got It Just Right
Kings Beach circa 1920s
One of the things that drew us to Happy Cabin was the neighborhood. When we were looking for a second home in Lake Tahoe, we looked at lots of places. We focused our efforts on three main areas—Donner Summit, West Lake Tahoe, and North Lake Tahoe. We were drawn to the folksy, summer culture at Serene Lakes on the Summit, the woodsy, forest feel of the West Shore, and the river beaches near the Olympic Valley. The private, HOA beaches around Carnelian Bay and Agate Bay caught our eye for a moment. We were trying to find that perfect balance of winter and summer fun, serene vistas and quirky culture, a feeling of being “away from it all” yet close enough to town for a quick bite or family outing. It was hard. Especially since our price range gave us a short list of opportunities and we were house-hunting from afar in the Bay Area. I felt a little bit like Goldilocks. This one is too isolated, that one too busy. This one is too close to town, that one too far. And then we found Happy Cabin. This one was just right.
I was not all that familiar with the Kings Beach/Tahoe Vista neighborhood before Happy Cabin. Kings Beach had a reputation as being a bit rowdy, Tahoe Vista a little slow. For whatever reason, the neighborhood around Happy Cabin is neither. It's an established neighborhood with history and a relaxed vibe. We have a good mix of second homes and friendly locals. Even in the shoulder seasons, the neighborhood isn’t boarded up and empty. People are riding bikes, walking dogs, and chatting with each other. There are garage sales, barbecues, and gatherings. There is life.
It turns out that the Kings Beach area has always been lively. The town was named after Joe King, who migrated from Texas during the Roaring 20s. Joe was a body guard and bouncer with one eye and a reputation. He gambled hard, ran a speakeasy, and made bootleg whiskey. Legend has it that Joe won the money to buy and develop the land that became Kings Beach in a poker game. These days, Kings Beach is known more for its picturesque beaches and close proximity to snow-drenched mountain resorts than for its eccentric characters. But the Happy Cabin neighborhood has a few local personalities worth celebrating, like our neighbor Bob McCormick, the author of a popular children’s book about Lake Tahoe, featured here. For backstory on one-eyed Joe King, take a look at this piece in the Tahoe Weekly by historian Mark McLaughlin, or visit Mark's blog full of stories about Lake Tahoe and the Sierras. For more on what drew us to Happy Cabin in particular, click here.
To visit Happy Cabin during your trip to North Lake Tahoe / Tahoe Vista / Kings Beach, click here.
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