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Death Valley National ParkMesquite Flat Sand Dunes
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Death Valley National Park
Scotty's Castle
 
Scotty's Castle
 

Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley, the Death Valley Ranch, or Scotty's Castle as it is more commonly known, is a window into the life and times of the Roaring 20's and Depression 30's. It was and is an engineer's dream home, a wealthy matron's vacation home and a man-of-mystery's  hideout and getaway. Walter Scott, Death Valley Scotty, convinced everyone that he had built the castle with money from his rich secret mines in the area. Albert Mussey Johnson actually built the house as a vacation getaway for himself and his wife Bessie. Scotty was the mystery, the cowboy, and the entertainer, but he was also a friend. Albert was the brains and the money. Two men as different as night and day, from different worlds and with different visions - who shared a dream. 

Scotty's Castle the fantasy house and Scotty's Castle the story are available every day. Take a living history tour and step back into 1939. 

"Moonlight anywhere is a delight. But there's no moonlight in the world that can compare with the moonlight in Grapevine Canyon, our desert canyon, where the Castle stands."
-quote by Mrs. Bessie Johnson from Death Valley Scotty by Mabel © 1932

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to equipment failure, no gasoline is currently available at Scotty's Castle. The nearest gas is available at Stovepipe Wells (45 miles), Furnace Creek (53 miles), Beatty, Nevada (60 miles) and Tonopah, Nevada (80 miles).

The Story Behind Scotty's Castle
The Story Behind Scotty's Castle
Two big desert rats and a little desert mouse
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House Tours of Scotty's Castle
Tours at Scotty's Castle
Information on the different tours at Scotty's Castle
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Frank Lloyd Wright's design for Scotty's Castle
Frank Lloyd Wright's design for Scotty's Castle
Frank Lloyd Wright prepared a design concept for Albert Johnson's desert compound.
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Volunteer Opportunities at Scotty's Castle
Volunteer Opportunities at Scotty's Castle
Volunteer Museum jobs at Scotty's Castle
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The Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley National Park  

Did You Know?
In July of 1913, Death Valley recorded five consecutive days of 129 degrees or above. On July the 10th, a reading of 134 degrees Fahrenheit was taken. This world record was held for nine years.
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Last Updated: May 17, 2008 at 14:27 EST