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.
When you get investors for a mining project you really should have a mine. Walter Scott had gotten Mr. Johnson to invest in the mine that was supposedly going to make them both rich. It was working for Mr. Scott until Mr. Johnson decided to come and see the mine for himself. With no mine to see it was impossible for him to get too excited about the mine.
Mr. Johnson and his wife decided that even though there wasn't a mine in Death Valley they liked the area anyway. With that in mind they decided to build a vacation retreat. The retreat was named Death Valley Ranch but to those that were local and knew the story of Mr. Scott it was 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.
Underground tours are offered at the castle too. You will see the Pelton Water Wheel that furnished the castle with electricity at the time of construction. You will also be able to take the 1/4 mile tunnel walk to see what other surprises are there that make the castle special.
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. - 14915
When you get investors for a mining project you really should have a mine. Walter Scott had gotten Mr. Johnson to invest in the mine that was supposedly going to make them both rich. It was working for Mr. Scott until Mr. Johnson decided to come and see the mine for himself. With no mine to see it was impossible for him to get too excited about the mine.
Mr. Johnson and his wife decided that even though there wasn't a mine in Death Valley they liked the area anyway. With that in mind they decided to build a vacation retreat. The retreat was named Death Valley Ranch but to those that were local and knew the story of Mr. Scott it was 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.
Underground tours are offered at the castle too. You will see the Pelton Water Wheel that furnished the castle with electricity at the time of construction. You will also be able to take the 1/4 mile tunnel walk to see what other surprises are there that make the castle special.
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. - 14915
About the Author:
Penelope SanMateo is a travel writer who writes for the California Beautiful travel guide. If you are planning your next vacation, then check out this guide to California Vacation. And while you are there, tour the North Coast California Tourism region to experience more interesting attractions that will make your family vacation one to remember.
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