95°F
weather icon Clear

Historic $35M California Lake Tahoe estate for sale

Updated October 1, 2024 - 11:55 am

A stunning 4.29-acre estate on the shoreline of Rubicon Bay on Lake Tahoe, owned by a family with deep ties to Nevada that go back more than 150 years, is listed for $35 million. The prestigious lakefront property at 8901 Rubicon Drive in Tahoma, California, features over 660 feet of shoreline with a compound, a third parcel that is prime for development, a pier and a boathouse.

After a 60-year legacy, the grandchildren, as part of the Charles C. Henderson Trust, decided to sell the Henderson family’s longtime vacation home, which held many memories for the family. Harriet and Wellington Henderson purchased the property in 1960.

Wellington Henderson was born in Elko, and his great-grandfather, Lewis Rice Bradley, was the second governor of Nevada in 1871. His father, Charles B. Henderson, served as a United States senator representing Nevada in 1917.

The discerning Harriet Henderson, an art collector who spent summers in Lake Tahoe, selected the site after extensive exploration of the West Shore.

“I believe my grandmother, Harriet Henderson, came up to Lake Tahoe until she was 100 years old,” said Elena Henderson Keating.

The mostly level acreage offers a main house, a bunkhouse/garage with an extra bedroom suite and a separate guest house. The 3,848-square-foot main house, built in 1949, is all one level and comprises six bedrooms and five baths. Its midcentury design offers a contemporary feel.

The kitchen and baths were updated several years ago, but the original kitchen cabinets remained unchanged. The great room features an indoor stone fireplace, a dining area and floor-to-ceiling windows with a view of the lake. This creates a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience that opens onto the outdoor terrace. This outdoor space includes a covered dining area, ample seating and its own stone fireplace. From the patio, guests can access more than 660 feet of shoreline, complete with a dock, boathouse, lakeside seating area and moorings. The southeast location provides gorgeous views and optimal sun exposure for both sunrises and sunset.

“You can see a panoramic view of the entire lake, almost. It’s stunning and mesmerizing, and we always gather out there to talk and be together. We would look at the lake and the moon coming up, and that’s one of my favorite times,” said Joan Henderson, one of the members of the trust.

Next to the house is a two-car, detached garage converted to a 500-square-foot two-bedroom guesthouse with a bunk, maintaining the midcentury-designed bathroom with separate access. Roll-up doors are still there for an option to convert back to a garage. That structure sits near the main house, while the other guest cabin is farther away, offering plenty of privacy.

A second two-bedroom guesthouse, with 892 square feet of living space, was built in 1960. This original building remains with a lakeview deck and stairs down to the water. The property’s greenery includes a grass course for sports like volleyball, croquet, horseshoes and other outdoor activities.

“Being on the property, we hear echoes of a magical time in our family history. We have been incredibly privileged and blessed to have had this amazing home in our family for almost 65 years,” Joan Henderson said.

MOST READ
Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Tri Pointe’s La Cova to open in SouthShore on Lake Las Vegas

Picturesque as a gorgeous European village, Tri Pointe Homes’ La Cova is what one would expect to find along the prestigious SouthShore on Lake Las Vegas.

Former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr sells home for nearly $9M

The Southern Highlands home of former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr was the highest priced sale in the valley during September, fetching $8.55 million, just below its listing price of $8.99 million.

La Cova’s lakeside location surpassed only by luxury home designs

La Cova’s extraordinarily rare location is surpassed only by the spectacular design of its homes that explicitly enrich the SouthShore lakefront resort inspired experience at Lake Las Vegas.

Luxury home sales slow in August; still on pace for record year

The Las Vegas existing home luxury market is on a record-setting pace in 2024 even as the closings slowed in August with only two selling for more than $5 million.

Eco-friendly luxury Ascaya estate lists for $9.475M

Embodying the trending desire for sustainable luxury, 6 Rockmount Court sets a new standard for eco-friendly luxury in the sought-after Ascaya community of Henderson.

Las Vegas designers talk outdoor kitchen ideas

It’s essential to consider the outdoor cooking space’s location in relation to the house and whether there will be shade, a pool, or misters present along with heaters for the cold winter season.

Best July ever for Las Vegas luxury home sales

The existing luxury home market saw the most homes sold in July in history led by the sale of a $15.75 million home in the Summit Club in Summerlin.

MORE STORIES