Death Valley is known for being one of the harshest locations in the USA. It's hot, it's barren and it certainly wasn't the location of the gold mine that was supposedly there and funding the construction of Albert Mussey Johnson's vacation retreat. There wasn't a gold mine, even though Johnson had invested in one.
Walter Scott was a miner, a dreamer and apparently a scammer to boot. He convinced Mr. Johnson to invest in the gold mine in Death Valley. It was probably going along just fine (with Scott getting his money from the investment) until Mr. Johnson decided to visit. He thought a tour of the mine would be a good idea. It was hard to do since there wasn't a mine to see.
Mr. Johnson and his wife liked Walter Scott, even after the knowledge that there was no mine. Mr. Johnson became enamored by Death Valley and with the encouragement of his wife built a vacation retreat. Although the retreat was actually named Death Valley Ranch it became known as Scotty's Castle.
The rich and famous came to the retreat when it became a tourist attraction. They wanted to see the retreat built by one of California's richest gold miners. Of course, had he told that it wasn't from the riches gained from the non-existent mine there wouldn't have been nearly the attraction to it that there was at the time.
There are guided tours available at the castle for those of you wanting to visit. With interactive displays, living history exhibits and all inside the house it will be a treat to see. The tours are available daily on the hour.
There is a second tour that you can take while at the castle. It is the tour of the underground area of the castle. It shows you the technology incorporated a the time to produce electricity and see the 1/4 mile underground tunnel system that runs under the house.
Using the technology of the past in conjunction with the technology of today keeps the castle well preserved. The National Park Service is responsible for maintaining the castle today. The underground area has been incorporated into the workings of the current management so you will get to see some of that along with history as you tour the basement level. - 15784
Walter Scott was a miner, a dreamer and apparently a scammer to boot. He convinced Mr. Johnson to invest in the gold mine in Death Valley. It was probably going along just fine (with Scott getting his money from the investment) until Mr. Johnson decided to visit. He thought a tour of the mine would be a good idea. It was hard to do since there wasn't a mine to see.
Mr. Johnson and his wife liked Walter Scott, even after the knowledge that there was no mine. Mr. Johnson became enamored by Death Valley and with the encouragement of his wife built a vacation retreat. Although the retreat was actually named Death Valley Ranch it became known as Scotty's Castle.
The rich and famous came to the retreat when it became a tourist attraction. They wanted to see the retreat built by one of California's richest gold miners. Of course, had he told that it wasn't from the riches gained from the non-existent mine there wouldn't have been nearly the attraction to it that there was at the time.
There are guided tours available at the castle for those of you wanting to visit. With interactive displays, living history exhibits and all inside the house it will be a treat to see. The tours are available daily on the hour.
There is a second tour that you can take while at the castle. It is the tour of the underground area of the castle. It shows you the technology incorporated a the time to produce electricity and see the 1/4 mile underground tunnel system that runs under the house.
Using the technology of the past in conjunction with the technology of today keeps the castle well preserved. The National Park Service is responsible for maintaining the castle today. The underground area has been incorporated into the workings of the current management so you will get to see some of that along with history as you tour the basement level. - 15784
About the Author:
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer for the California Beautiful travel guide. If you are planning your next vacation, then check out this guide to Vacation California. And while you are there, tour the San Diego California Tourism region to experience more interesting attractions that will make your family vacation one to remember.