Well before Nevada became a state, in 1854, the California Legislature voted for the lake’s first official name, Lake Bigler. The legislators chose the name to honor California’s third and then current governor, John Bigler (1852-1856). While Californians liked the name, it was never popular in Nevada.

 

In 1862, during the U.S. Department of Interior mapping of the area, the name Lake Tahoe was first used. 

 

In the early days, the tribe lived in Douglas County in Carson Valley during the winter months and migrated to Lake Tahoe in the summer months. Lake Tahoe and specifically Cave Rock were sacred places for the tribes.  In more modern times, rock climbers used Cave Rock as a popular climbing place until the 1990s. Then, the tribal leaders protested against the use of its sacred place in such a fashion. After a long legal battle between the climbers and the tribe, the U.S. Forest Supervisor ordered a climbing ban in February 2008. Cave Rock was added to the National Register of Historic Places, as a Traditional Cultural Property in 2017. Hiking to the top is allowed but climbing is prohibited.

 

On the Nevada side, three counties include land at the Lake. In Washoe County the communities are Crystal Bay and Incline Village. Incline Village is a popular beach or ski area, depending on the time of year.  

 

The well-known Ponderosa Ranch, famous for the TV series, Bonanza, was located near Incline Village. The place was open to the public and offered a variety of activities for children. Unfortunately, the Ranch closed in 2004.

 

On the Nevada side, there are many beaches, but the most well-known public beach is the Sand Harbor State Park. Originally, in the 1870s, this Nevada land was in private ownership for harvesting timber. The area changed hands more than once until the 1970s when Nevada acquired five thousand acres for $3,000,000. Today the park contains about thirteen thousand acres encompassing the beach, boat ramp, picnic area and other open spaces.