SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service wants community input on a proposal to remove several aging historic structures at Round Hill Pines Resort on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Under the National Historic Preservation Act , federal agencies need to consider feasible alternatives before demolition of historic structures.

The proposal calls for demolishing nine aging buildings within the Round Hill Pines Resort Historic Cabin District — a guest house, dining hall, caretaker’s house, garage/laundry facilities, boiler house, gardener’s house, and three employee cottages. Based on their condition, five buildings would be retained for adaptive reuse purposes, including the grand lodge. 

To provide input regarding the proposed removal of the aging buildings or to propose viable alternatives, email alexandra.wenzl@usda.govwithin 30 days of this announcement. All comments will be reviewed to help evaluate feasible options.

History of Round Hill Pines

Located on Lake Tahoe’s East Shore, Round Hill Pines was developed in the 1920s as the private summer estate of Norman DeVaux, a well-known cross-country cyclist turned major West Coast automobile distributor who helped establish Chevrolet and Durant Motors. DeVaux constructed a lodge, guest cabins, service buildings, and recreational features as the core of the property. Additional structures were added after the estate changed hands in 1931.

In 1951, the property was converted into the Round Hill Pines Resort, a commercial vacation destination with motel units. The resort closed in 1969 due to sewage issues. In 1985, the Forest Service acquired the site, including the beach, marina and 28 buildings. The resort provides public access to Lake Tahoe and operates under a special use permit through the Forest Service.