Lake Tahoe is rich in history as well as natural beauty. The earliest settlers here were the peaceful Washoe Indians, who inhabited the area for thousands of years before the arrival of American explorers. These indigenous people considered many areas of Tahoe, including Cave Rock and the lake itself, sacred places. American writer Mark Twain was also captivated by Lake Tahoe, including a description of his experiences here in his 1872 work Roughing It. Many came to the area during the California Gold Rush, and Lake Tahoe was heavily logged during the late 1800s. Those who visited Tahoe during this time told people about its beauty, and by the early 1900s the first groups of tourists began to arrive.