Victor Girards Fabulous Mountain Empire
Victor Girard built a redwood-pole palace above Lime Kiln in 1925. His empire lasted a decade.
In 1925 German promoter Victor Girard bought 35 acres and built a fabulous mansion using redwood poles, including furniture made by inter-weaving saplings with luxurious cushions. A plate glass window 8x14 feet was packed in by mule on a narrow sled - only to be cracked by the heat of the great fireplace. The fireplace was large enough to barbecue a whole beef at one time, requiring 80 tons of native stones packed mule-back up the steep trail. He had a Model T Ford converted to a horse-drawn vehicle and a trick saddle with special stirrups designed to release if his horse stumbled, allowing him to free himself quickly.