"I thought it must be the fairest picture the whole earth affords," wrote Mark Twain of Lake Tahoe. Countless other visitors have agreed, and since the turn of the century the lake's clear, pure waters and breathtaking natural surroundings have made it a national treasure and an international vacation destination. As one of the deepest and largest of alpine lakes in the United States and the world, Lake Tahoe is said to be one of the most photographed spots on earth.

In the clarity and vivid detail of black-and-white photography, Historic Photos of Lake Tahoe showcases nearly 200 images and two centuries of the lake and its surroundings, along with the people, places, and events that have shaped its unique history.

Journey with researcher and writer Ellen Drewes as she visits the remarkable past of this scintillating American hideaway.