SCOTTY'S CASTLE in DEATH VALLEY CALIFORNIA

We went farther forth before cutting over into Death Valley to see Scotty's Castle, a 2 1/2 hour drive each way.  There are a few more things that we could see in Death Valley, but think that we will put them off until another trip west.  There is always more to see!!
Scotty's Castle was interesting, more for the story of their lives and the mechanics of everything in the castle.  We have seen more grand homes, but they are all the same, summer homes of the rich and famous. Many building materials, furniture and decorating items were imported from Europe and Asia usually. This summer home was no different.

The interesting thing here is that The Castle
was never built, owned, or even lived in by Scotty!!

Scotty was a clever con-man who met Albert Johnson, a Chicago businessman, in New York when Scotty went there with some borrowed (stolen) gold ore seeking investors for his mine.  Chance to get rich, right?  After about three years Albert, one of his investors, decided to take a trip west to check out this mine since he had not heard anything of it's advancement.
Scotty was a nationwide celebrity,Walter Scott, performing with other cowboys in Buffalo Bill's "Wild West".  He traveled  a lot between Los Angeles and Chicago, telling his exaggerated stories about how he made his fortune.  His biggest tale was about gold, telling that his gold mine was in Death Valley.
Johnson quickly realized that there was never a gold mine.  Instead of being angry, the wealthy Albert Johnson became friends with Scotty, and remained Scotty;s source of gold for the rest of his life.

Johnson said, "We have been partners for a long time.
Scott has a great appetite for money, and I like to feed it.
He has always repaid me -- in laughs".

When arriving in Death Valley, Albert found other things of value, the dry warm climate, which improved his chronic health problems, and the experience of cowboy-style adventures as he traveled the desert with Scotty.

It had always been Albert's dream to be a cowboy, which his father was not pleased with. Thus the closest that he could come to that dream was to get a mine engineering degree, rather than anything financial or business related as his father had wanted.  After a tragic accident causing three fractures in his back and other internal injuries, and a year or more in recovery, he did go into business with his father before his meeting with Scott.

Packard, Albert's transportation of choice.

Albert's wife, Bessie also from a wealthy family, was also taken with the peacefulness and beauty of Death Valley.  After years of camping expeditions to Death Valley, the Johnsons began to build their vacation home/castle in 1922.Though this castle was built in one of the harshest deserts in the world, in Grapevine Canyon there was a natural spring that pours out 300 gallons of water per minute to this day.  Thus a true oasis!!

Castle tour guide in period clothing at the right.
Name of the castle, Death Valley Ranch, over the door.

Cooling system was this water fall
at the living area wall..

Wardrobe in Scotty's room, though the most that he did
in this room was to change ties when leaving after
his story telling at the dinner table.
He actually had his own place on the hill
above the castle.

The story is that he always told that the entrance to his mysterious mine was in this room.  However, it was never found, making people realize that this was just another of his tall tales.

View from second floor loft, of main living area

 with the fireplace for heating.

View from second floor loft, of main living area
 with the waterfall for cooling.

Second floor loft going behind the chimney
to the bedrooms.

The woodwork all over the castle
was carved from untreated railroad ties.
There is a canyon nearby where the ties
were stored.  There are many still there.

Family dining room

Family designed pottery

Electric refrigerator with freezer.
They had another and also a walk-in
freezer.

Albert Johnson was seven feet, one inch tall, while his wife Bessie was just four feet, eleven inches. Because of their height differences and his back injury, they had special beds made for each of them. His was made as hard as a board and long, while hers was made short and with a writing desk that could come down over the bed,  Great for relaxing in those days.

Bessie's bed and desk.
Notice the Shoshone basketry on the shelves.

Shoshone basket,
there is not any being made today.

There are three such bathrooms
in the house, fully functional,
commode behind the door.

Sitting room

Door that we left through when the
house tour was finished. Outside is a spiral
staircase going to the ground.

The Johnson's loved music,
although they did not play any instruments.
Occasionally guests played this organ
that had 1100 pipes and several
instrument sounds.

Since they did not play, they bought  this
player  for the piano, using it often.
It was played for us.

Because of his injuries, they never had any children.  Therefore, in their will they left this property and castle to a Gospel group. It is now a National Park.  

Bessie had been the Christian teacher and preacher for the household. Her sermons were anywhere from two to three hours long. 

This is the guide that we had for the underground tour.  I will let Gary write another Blog to tell you of the many different things that he researched and designed for power, water, heat, cooling and water run-off. 

The Depression caused Johnson's holdings to drop from 60 million to 2 million.  However, since his annual income in those days was $950,000, he did not suffer in his way of life.  He just had to stop building on this home, thus the swimming pool was never finished.  He said it was to be a lake although it had concrete walls, because it was to have a gravel bottom.  Thus it would not be taxable.

On our drive from Death Valley we passed this Big Sand Dune.  We were not sure what it was until we passed the sign. Can you imagine riding this on a four wheeler?