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Scotty's Castle (Death Valley Ranch)

USA / Nevada / Beatty /
 valley, ranch

In 1926, Walter Scott ("Death Valley Scotty") convinced Albert Johnson to build a splendid ranch in Death Valley and began construction in 1927. Before construction was complete, Scotty was referring to the ranch as "my Castle." In 1929, Scotty went on another self-promotion binge, claiming among other things that he would set a new world airplane speed record, break the bank at Monte Carlo and purchase an entire string of polo ponies for his personal use at his Castle. After a week of speeding around Hollywood and Beverly Hills in a new car, his red necktie blowing in the breeze, reporters proclaimed him "America's number one mystery man."

The stock market crash of 1929 severely limited Johnson's ability to complete construction of the ranch, and when he was forced to liquidate his business, he and his wife ended up spending much of their time at their Death Valley Ranch. This forced Scotty in 1930 to build his hideaway 5 miles down the canyon, near the site of his original camp. It became known as the Lower Ranch, for Scotty's sole use, possessing neither electricity nor indoor plumbing.

In the meantime, various victims of Scotty's past swindles attempted to sue him for his ownership of the Castle. It became necessary for Johnson to prove that he, not Scotty, owned and financed construction of the Castle. He also paid off some of the litigants, including Jack, Scotty's ex-wife. The remainder were awarded Scotty's worthless mining claims by the court.

In 1947, after his wife died and his own health began failing, Johnson attempted to sell Death Valley Ranch to the federal government. When this failed, he deeded it to the Gospel Foundation of California, a non-profit organization. On January 7, 1948, Albert Johnson died at the age of 76, leaving his ranch forever unfinished.

Meanwhile, after hospitalization for an illness in 1951, Scotty returned to live in the Castle and each night regaled paying guests with his exploits over the past century. He had reached the pinnacle of his fame, becoming a tourist attraction in his own right.

On January 5, 1954, Walter Scott, on his way to Las Vegas for medical attention, died at the age of 82. He was buried on the rocky hill northwest of the guest house at Scotty's Castle next to his dog Windy.

In July 1970, the National Park Service purchased Scotty's Castle for $850,000. It has since become one of the most popular features of Death Valley National Park.

www.desertusa.com/mag98/june/papr/du_dvscotty.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Mussey_Johnson
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°1'54"N   117°20'23"W

Comments

  • kencummings
    In 1996 there was enough water coming out of the spring up the canyon to run a small Pelton wheel water turbine to generate some power.
This article was last modified 7 years ago