.jpg "Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Scotty’s CastleAfter two days exploring the stark beauty of Death Valley National Park I was totally unprepared for the opulence of Scotty’s Castle built in the desert. It really is an amazing place with many innovative ideas and magnificent handcrafts. Yet the best part is the story, and Ranger Scott, dressed as a professor visiting during 1939, spun a good tale.
.jpg "Gate into Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Wrought iron and wood gate with J&SFirst there’s Scotty himself, called a scoundrel by some and a friend by others, who did not own the “Castle.” Born Walter Scott and known as Death Valley Scotty, he was undoubtedly the most famous prospector in the region yet unlikely ever struck a vein of gold.
.jpg "Courtyard Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Ranger Scot in the courtyardScotty grew up in Kentucky around horses and traveled west at a young age where he became a cowhand with his brothers not far from Death Valley. In 1890 he was recruited into Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and spent the next 11 years traveling in the US and Europe.
.jpg "Scotty and Johnson's cars Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Scotty and Johnson’s cars
In 1904, an in debt Scotty met Albert Johnson, a multimillionaire insurance executive from Chicago. They were opposites in almost every way yet were partners and friends for over 40 years. Scotty was gregarious and loud with loose morals that often caused him trouble with the law. Johnson was shy, deeply religious and a respected citizen.
.jpg "Clock tower Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Equipment and mechanical building with 56-chime clock in tower
Johnson may have been living out his own fantasies or just entertained by Scotty when they traveled into Death Valley a portion of each winter. The condition to get his wife Bessie to accompany him was to build a proper home.
.jpg "Main salon Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Construction began on the Moorish-style house in 1922 and because of the location caused quite a stir amongst the press. The flamboyant Scotty was there and called it “my castle” and it seems Johnson was glad to stay in the background. A custom cooling system was built using waterfalls like the one seen in the far right above along with water soaked burlap placed behind a wall vent and ducted with air flow from the basement.
.jpg "Sitting room Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Sitting room showing light patterns from wooden window covers
Money was no object. The interior was adorned with imported and hand-carved furniture.
.jpg "Dinning room Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Dining room
Custom made Italian dishware were used to serve guests who afterward moved to the main salon where Scotty would entertain for the evening telling stories of his Wild West days while the Johnsons sat quietly by.
.jpg "Kitchen Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Kitchen
A diesel generator provided electricity for modern conveniences and water was solar heated.
.jpg "Music room Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Music room
There is a custom-made organ in the music room along with an electric player piano.
.jpg "Scotty's bedroom Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Scotty’s bedroom with his signature hats and red ties
Scotty didn’t actually live in the castle instead he had a ranch located several miles away. He would bid guests goodnight and leave the salon through an adjacent door into his bedroom where another door led outside.
.jpg "Shooting hole in Scotty's bedroom Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Shoot hole
At Scotty’s request a hole was built next to the door leading out of his “bedroom” so he could shoot any scoundrels that came around. Yet knowing the bad guys usually traveled in pairs, the outside of the “shooting hole” directed the bullet one way towards the door and the other way towards a window. It was never tested.
.jpg "Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Front of house with pool
Work stopped in 1931 and the Depression was rough on Johnson. Ultimately the house comprised of 31,000 sq. ft. of floor space, plus stables and guesthouses. The large pool was never completed or filled. When Johnson died in 1948 he left the castle and ranch not to Scotty but to the Gospel Foundation of California which he had established and allowed Scotty to stay and entertain guests until his own death six years later. During the late 1960s the National Park Service acquired all the properties.
.jpg "Scotty's Castle Death Valley NP CA")
Castle in a desert oasis
After this grand tour we continued our explorations of Death Valley from opulence to a big hole in the ground.
Scotty and Johnson’s carsIn 1904, an in debt Scotty met Albert Johnson, a multimillionaire insurance executive from Chicago. They were opposites in almost every way yet were partners and friends for over 40 years. Scotty was gregarious and loud with loose morals that often caused him trouble with the law. Johnson was shy, deeply religious and a respected citizen.
Equipment and mechanical building with 56-chime clock in towerJohnson may have been living out his own fantasies or just entertained by Scotty when they traveled into Death Valley a portion of each winter. The condition to get his wife Bessie to accompany him was to build a proper home.
Construction began on the Moorish-style house in 1922 and because of the location caused quite a stir amongst the press. The flamboyant Scotty was there and called it “my castle” and it seems Johnson was glad to stay in the background. A custom cooling system was built using waterfalls like the one seen in the far right above along with water soaked burlap placed behind a wall vent and ducted with air flow from the basement.Sitting room showing light patterns from wooden window coversMoney was no object. The interior was adorned with imported and hand-carved furniture.
Dining roomCustom made Italian dishware were used to serve guests who afterward moved to the main salon where Scotty would entertain for the evening telling stories of his Wild West days while the Johnsons sat quietly by.
KitchenA diesel generator provided electricity for modern conveniences and water was solar heated.
Music roomThere is a custom-made organ in the music room along with an electric player piano.
Scotty’s bedroom with his signature hats and red tiesScotty didn’t actually live in the castle instead he had a ranch located several miles away. He would bid guests goodnight and leave the salon through an adjacent door into his bedroom where another door led outside.
Shoot holeAt Scotty’s request a hole was built next to the door leading out of his “bedroom” so he could shoot any scoundrels that came around. Yet knowing the bad guys usually traveled in pairs, the outside of the “shooting hole” directed the bullet one way towards the door and the other way towards a window. It was never tested.
Front of house with poolWork stopped in 1931 and the Depression was rough on Johnson. Ultimately the house comprised of 31,000 sq. ft. of floor space, plus stables and guesthouses. The large pool was never completed or filled. When Johnson died in 1948 he left the castle and ranch not to Scotty but to the Gospel Foundation of California which he had established and allowed Scotty to stay and entertain guests until his own death six years later. During the late 1960s the National Park Service acquired all the properties.
Castle in a desert oasisAfter this grand tour we continued our explorations of Death Valley from opulence to a big hole in the ground.
WOW! What a story and what a house. Strange, but South Africa has its own legendary Scotty (Smith), a horse thief and con artist par excellance. Maybe I should do a post on him sometime.
That is fabulous!! Who knew. I love the story.
So—little Latte (did you decide on a name?) is on the lap eh? teehee
Wonderful story on Scotty Castle.So beautiful inside and out. I have heard the story and found it fascinating then and now.
Just imagine the money going into a house like that and nobody ever living there. Like Maryhill out here on the Columbia. Pass some of that dough my way. LOL MB
Interesting history and so many charming details captured in your images. I especially like the wrought iron/wood gate and the light patterns in the sitting room.
Gaelyn,
This was wonderful! A Castle in Death Valley! Who knew! Fascinating. Thanks!
Fabulous story and place! Your photos are terrific as always, Gaelyn! I never realized there was such a place so near Death Valley! Amazing! Of course, there are a great number of things that I don't know about, but this is one of the more interesting ones!
Have a great weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving!
Sylvia
Fantastic.
Sydney – City and Suburbs
Interesting place and great photos, Gaelyn. I enjoyed the history of it.
And to answer your question, yes, I hope to have a ticket to ride and soon! 🙂
Great shots and virtual tour of this interesting place. I always enjoy my visits here whether real or virtual
Gaelyn: Thanks for sharing this great visit to a very special place in Death Valley.
An amazing castle and an amazing story! What a strange place to find in Death Valley no less. Love and Light, Nina p
That really is a castle. It's huge! Seems like a good, though unlikely, partnership between Scotty and Johnson.
Great photos! Brings back memories….thanks!
How deliciously surprising to find a castle in the desert! Great shots and info.
What an amazing story and place Gaelyn!!
Very interesting story. I am intruged by the cooling system.
This place should be turned into a hotel or guest house.
Like a Hearst Castle in the desert! Another place to be on my list….
Very interesting story–absolutely fascinating. We had a Walter Scott here as well–you'll probably have heard of him, the famous, great writer.
Wow! What a house, and what a story!! I'm still amazed!
Why, I never! Never, ever heard of this castle in the desert! What a story – it's kinda sticking with me this morning. Wow!
Wow, I had never heard of this castle. It has been years since I've been to Death Valley but the castle will be on my list next time I go.
Not something I would expect in a desert. I like those old cars covered in sand dust.
What a surprising find in the desert, Gaelyn! Wouldn't mind living there myself!
Janice.
Wow, thats truely crazy that was built out there. What a structure! And just to spend a little bit of time out there. Amazing. Hmm, where can I find a rich friend to build me a castle somewhere? =) Actually I wouldn't know what to do with all that space, I will settle for a beautiful cabin somewhere.
A great post! What an interesting story.
Wow Gaelyn….what a cool place! Thanks for sharing the photos and stories with us.