Death Valley's iconic Scotty's Castle was built by Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson, not the gold prospector Walter Scott as widely believed. This Spanish Colonial Revival villa, despite its nickname, isn't actually a castle and wasn't funded by any secret gold mine.

Albert Johnson, a wealthy insurance broker, initially bought 1,500 acres in Death Valley after Scott convinced him of non-existent gold deposits. Though initially angry about the deception, Johnson forgave Scott and the two maintained an unusual friendship. Johnson even played along with Scott's tales about owning the property, as it provided Scott the attention he craved and Johnson the privacy he desired.

Construction began in 1922 with a horse ranch and living quarters for workers, mostly Shoshone Indians. In 1926, the Johnsons upgraded to the main mansion, costing $1.4 million ($18.7 million today).

The property faced several challenges: The 1929 stock market crash severely impacted Johnson's wealth, and in 1932, they discovered their land was actually part of the newly-created Death Valley National Park due to an incorrect survey. Johnson eventually secured proper ownership in 1935 through special legislation.

After Bessie Johnson's death in 1943, Albert retired to Hollywood and later willed the property to the Gospel Foundation, ensuring Scott could live there until his death in 1954. The National Park Service purchased the property in 1970 for $850,000.

Currently, the castle offers seasonal walking tours on select weekends through March 23, 2025, limited to 20 participants per tour. Tours cost $35 per person plus processing fees.

Related Articles

Previous Articles