Desert View Tower

 tower, mountain, panoramic view, desert, historic landmark

The Desert View Tower was constructed between 1922 to 1928 by Bert Vaughn to commemorate pioneers crossing the desert to get to San Diego, it is now owned by an individual owner. Nearby are some unusual rock carvings of skulls and animals, done by W.T. Ratcliffe, a retired engineer, in the 1930's. At 3000 feet elevation, it sits on a mountain side above the In-Ko-Pah Gorge. From its vantage point, one can see 100 miles to the east down into the Anza Borrego Desert and the Imperial Valley and across the Colorado River to Arizona. The tower is a California Historical Landmark.


A monument that I like from the Imperial Valley County is a little more than just a monument because people have fun and enjoy every second they spend in this place. Desert View Tower is a California Historical Monument, it has been a station for travelers for almost a century. Desert View Tower is located near Jacumba and Ocotillo. The Desert View Tower is an old stage station at Mountain Springs, where the original road is barely visible. The stone tower was built from 1922 to 1928. Its 70-foot-high tower was dedicated in memory of the area's rough pre-highway days, when the journey between Yuma and the Pacific Ocean took a month across blasted moonlike terrain. This attraction was created by a real estate from Jacumba called Bert Vaughn. It is exactly located in the In-Ko-Pah Mountainds. As you visit the Desert Tower you will find so many rocks where Yoni left their signs and passages. As mention on the Tower’s official site, the Tower has enjoyed periods of prosperity and complete neglect, managed by a succession of owners. Tower’s museum shows basically a collection of paints and other collections that illustrate the Old West and the Revolutionary War. Some are donated by astronauts and military. The museum pictures are mostly shown in black and white because it gives a great idea of the Tower’s construction. Also, it has its own store which was built around 1950s. This museum has help the community to know about our county. Many people mention that the Imperial County is little, that there is nothing to do and think that these few attractions are part of San Diego County. Well, Imperial County has somehow a quaint of history and we should acknowledge but over all we have to appreciate it. Since 1920, this has been part of our history. The Desert View Tower has developed and has grown in so many forms that today is very popular. People travel from different places to appreciate this side of history. After visiting this place for the first time I was so happy to realize people do take care of those places. Every minute I spent at the Tower I was surprise how places change over the decades but that we are capable to do our best and create wonderful places like the Desert View Tower.

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