Death Valley Day 3 Scotty's Castle

Mar.1st Our last day in Death Valley. We went north to Scotty's Castle, a remarkable mansion built for his wife by millionaire Albert Johnson. Although construction started in 1922 it would take many years to complete. The story goes that Mr.Johnson had invested in a mining venture with a man named Walter Scott who claimed to have discovered a very rich gold mine on a mountain in Death valley.

One of two swimming pools that were never finished

The entry

Palm trees along side the worker's quarters

Entrance to the garage and main house

After a couple of years and not earning any returns on his investment Mr. Johnson decided that he and his wife would take a trip to see this mysterious gold mine first hand. It didn't take long for the Johnsons to find out that there was no gold mine and they had been conned by Scotty. Thus, a curious relationship was formed between the millionaire and the con man. It seemed that Mr.and Mrs.Johnson, despite being conned,took an instant liking to Scotty and would later tell reporters "All Scotty showed me was a few dry holes" But, Mr. Johnson explained "Scott has repaid me every dime in laughs.Plus he's a darn good cook."

The door to the main House

The sitting room

The parlor and adjoining library

Mr.Johnson loved the desert and would return to visit Scotty every year. Mrs. Johnson also enjoyed the trips but grew tired of sleeping in tents and told her husband that she would not accompany him unless he built her a house. He agreed and the construction of Scotty's Castle was started.

Balcony looking down on the sitting roomCourtyard separating the main house from the guest quarters and garage

Tile and mosaic fountain in courtyard

The mansion was built in a valley literally in the middle of nowhere by Shoshone and Mexican craftsmen. No expense was spared from the hand carved redwood beams and iron chandeliers to the custom crafted tile floors and handmade Majorcan rugs. Some of the innovations built into the house include passive solar heating for hot water,flush toilets, a generating system for electric power with huge battery banks,rock gas cooking stoves,one of the first refrigerator freezers from Kalvinator and an enormous pipe organ.

The music room. Note the beams and inlaid tile on the ceiling