Construction began on Scotty's Castle in 1922, and cost between $1.5 and $2.5 million. A man named Walter Scott born in Cynthiana, Kentucky, also known as “Death Valley Scotty”, convinced Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson to invest in his gold mine in the Death Valley area. By 1937, Johnson had acquired more than 1,500 acres (610 ha) in Grapevine Canyon, where the ranch is located.

After Johnson and his wife made several trips to the region, and his health improved, construction began. It was Mrs. Johnson's idea to build something comfortable for their vacations in the area, and the villa eventually became a winter home.

The Johnson's hired Martin de Dubovay as the architect, Mat Roy Thompson as the engineer and head of construction, and Charles Alexander MacNeilledge as the designer.

The stock market crash of 1929, however, made it difficult for Johnson to finish construction. The Johnsons died without heirs and they left the property to the Gospel Foundation. In 1970, the National Park Service purchased the villa for $850,000 from the foundation. Walter Scott died in 1954 and was buried on the hill overlooking Scotty's Castle.

Created on

Sunday 8 June 2008

Dimensions

2592*1944

Gallery

• California :: Death Valley

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6922

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Model

FinePix S5200

Date Time of Original

2008:06:08 11:51:24

Aperture Number

5.6

Exposure compensation

0.0 EV

Exposure Time

1/419 s

ISO

64

Focal Length

6 mm

Exposure Mode

auto

Exposure Metering Mode

pattern

Exposure Program

normal

Sharpness