Mark McLaughlin, award-winning, nationally published author, professional speaker, and photographer returned to our Library with the compelling presentation: The History of Lake Tahoe and the Comstock. 

The 1859 discovery of silver in western Nevada and the development of the Comstock brought entrepreneurs of all types to the region. It also brought disastrous consequences for the Tahoe basin and its environment. The mines were supported by extremely large amounts of lumber from Tahoe. They say that the silver ran out about the same time the trees did.
Mark shared some of the extensive history of our area, including a discussion of D.L. Bliss, the timber baron who was a visionary that saw beyond the denuded lake-side slopes to dream of a paradise for tourists and nature lovers. Today, Lake Tahoe still struggles with this destructive 19th century legacy, but better management practices have brought the region back from the brink of devastating exploitation.
Our morning was spent discovering much about Tahoe's colorful history. I know I could still be listening to all Mark had to share. There is still so much to learn.