Tahoe estate for sale at $36.5 million

MEEKS BAY, Calif. (AP) - One of the last old-time estates on the west shore of Lake Tahoe is up for sale.

The Drum House, designed by noted San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh, is on the market for $36.5 million through the Chase International real estate firm.

John Drum, president of the American Trust Co., bought the Meeks Bay property in 1923.

"It's beautiful. It's like the old Tahoe of years ago," said Trinkie Watson, the agent handling the sale.

The main lodge was built with cedar logs shipped to Tahoe from Oregon. The contractor was Matt Green, who would later build Vikingsholm at Emerald Bay. That popular tourist attraction is now owned by California State Parks.

The Drum estate hosted extravagant parties and notable visitors, including Charles Lindbergh, who visited in 1927 just months after his historic trans-Atlantic flight.

It was purchased in 1961 by Erik Jonsson, former mayor of Dallas and founder of Texas Instruments.

"I suspect all the movers and shakers of San Francisco probably went through there at some time," said Mark Jonsson, Eric's grandson. "If the walls could talk, I think they've seen a lot of things."

Jonsson, 54, said difficulties of multiple-family member ownership makes it necessary to sell the property.

"I've been there every summer of my life," he said. "It's just nothing but good memories. I'm sorry to see us have to sell it."