Then and now: A part of Bijou evolves

Highway 50 and Takela spring 2004. Photo/Bill Kingman

Until April 2004, the beige cabin and adjacent two-story green building facing the stoplights on Highway 50 at Takela Avenue in South Lake Tahoe had housed various businesses. Between them and the beach behind it were a few aging cabins and residences.

Disappearing buildings. Photo/Bill Kingman

Two months later, most of these buildings were gone.

Condominiums obscure the view. Photo/Bill Kingman

By the following spring, construction was under way on a condominium development.

Safeway controls the corner. Photo/Bill Kingman

Today, Safeway operates the gas station, the traffic signals are updated, and new pedestrian crossings have been added.

The area more than 90 years ago. Photo/Theresa and Darrell Eymann collection

If you had stood on that construction site in the 1920s or 1930s and were looking east toward Nevada, you would be facing the entrance to Connolley’s Bijou Inn and beach.

— Bill Kingman