Fannette Island facts for kids
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Fannette Island
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 Fannette Island
Location in California
Fannette Island
Location in the United States
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Tahoe |
| Coordinates | 38°57′15″N 120°06′02″W / 38.9540745°N 120.1004631°W |
| Area | 91,752 sq ft (8,524.0 m2) |
| Coastline | 1,718 ft (523.6 m) |
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USA
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| State | California |
| County | El Dorado |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| Pop. density | 0 /sq mi (0 /km2) |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone |
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| • Summer (DST) |
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Fannette Island is the only island found in the beautiful Lake Tahoe, which sits on the border of California and Nevada in the United States. It's located inside Emerald Bay State Park, on the California side of the lake.
Over time, this small island has been known by many different names. Some of these include Coquette, Fanette, Baranoff, Dead Man's, Hermit's, and Emerald Isle. Today, it is part of Emerald Bay State Park. You can reach the island by boat, canoe, or kayak. However, swimming to the island is not allowed. This is because the water is extremely cold, and there is a lot of boat traffic in the area, which can be dangerous.
Contents
The Tea House
On Fannette Island, you can find the remains of a small stone building. This ruin is known as the "Tea House." It was built by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. She was the owner of a famous nearby mansion called Vikingsholm. The Tea House was likely a special spot for her and her guests to enjoy the views of Emerald Bay.
Captain Dick Barter's Story
The Hermit of Fannette Island
From 1863 to 1873, Fannette Island was home to a unique person named Captain Dick Barter. He was known for being quite unusual. Captain Barter had moved all the way from England to live on this small island. He even built his own tomb and a small chapel there.
A Close Call at Sea
Captain Barter loved to sail. One day, he was rowing back to the island when a sudden storm hit. He almost didn't make it! To survive, he tied himself to his small boat and rode out the storm. Sadly, he got severe frostbite in two of his toes.
How He Got His Nickname
Because of this incident, Captain Barter earned a very memorable nickname: "Them's my toes." He would often show his toes, which he had to have removed, to his guests. It's a strange story, but it's how he became known.
A Mysterious Disappearance
Ironically, Captain Barter was never buried in the chapel he built for himself on the island. In 1873, he was lost during another storm. This time, it happened off Rubicon Point, and he was never found. His story adds a touch of mystery to Fannette Island's history.
