James Viso and Ronald Reagan became friends when Viso recruited Reagan to star in a campaign video Viso produced for Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign.

An aerial view of the Fleur du Lac grounds during the filming of Godfather II in 1973.

Placards such as this one were displayed on the perimeter of Fleur du Lac during the filming of Godfather II during 1973 - 1974.

These beautiful wrought iron gates were built by Henry Kaiser's craftsmen in 1938.

This view across the Fleur du Lac harbor from the east shows Fred's bridge in the foreground and the canvas canopy that covered Kaiser's race boat Hornet II in the background.

A view across the Fleur du Lac harbor to Harbor House where the green and white awning had just been installed for Godfather II.

In this atmospheric shot in Godfather II, director Francis Ford Coppolla effectively captures the melancholy mood of Michael Corleone after he has consolidated his position, but lost his family.

The entire Fleur du Lac estate, and especially Harbor House, was in poor condition at the time of Viso's purchase.

Kaiser had widened and improved the flow of one of the Blackwood Creek distributaries to be a water feature running through the property. This is a shot from the roadway leading from the entrance gate to the stone bridge over the stream just in from of Hilltop Lodge. The stone wall on the right is a movie prop constructed for Godfather II.

The deck just outside Harbor House decorated for use in the movie Godfather II.

James Viso purchased the tour boat Sea Stag II in Santa Cruz and brought the boat to Lake Tahoe to operate as a cruise boat on the Lake. Viso briefly berthed Sea Stag II at Fleur du Lac.

The beautiful stone bridge constructed by the Kaisers on the entrance road to Hilltop in the foreground. The Harbor House is in the background.

THe Boat House and harbor walls during the Viso era.

Rain Barrel was one the top cottages on the grounds of Fleur du Lac. This is the cottage Francis Ford Coppola chose to house his family during the filming of Godfather II.

Henry Kaiser chose to route this distributary of Blackwood Creek through the grounds of Fleur du Lac as a water feature.

A winter time view of Harbor House during the Viso Era.

James Viso employed helicopters in his contracting business.

Viso helped interest Fess Parker in building his "Frontier World" theme park in Santa Clara. Unfortunately, the project later ran aground and became "Great America."

James Viso and Fess Parker became close friends through their work together at Santa Clara University. Parker later became an original partner in Fleur du Lac with Viso.

A view across the Fleur du Lac grounds between the wishing well and Cat's Cradle in Harbor House.

Al Pacino on the grounds of Fleur du Lac for the filming of Godfather II.