Building the Castle

"We build as fancy leads..." Bessie Johnson

For Johnson and his construction team, transforming his Death Valley land holdings into the estate that stands today was no easy feat. The site, at 3,000 feet, is nestled between the scorching desert and towering mountains. The engineer envisioned a practical complex using innovative technology and alternative sources of energy in the spring-fed canyon.

Charles Alexander MacNeilledge, a Los Angeles architect, captured Johnson's vision and oversaw the design. Close to 100 crew, most local Shoshone Timbisha Indians were hired. Material was hauled to the site in trucks from the Bonnie Claire railroad station, located 18 miles from Grapevine Canyon. The existence of the railroads and basic road system facilitated the movement of construction tools and materials through the seemingly remote surroundings. Creating the Johnsons' dream home took many years of hard labor and close to $2 million dollars.

Work began on the Johnsons' permanent vacation retreat in 1922. After completing a few harsh-looking buildings that disrupted the landscape's tranquility, laborers remodeled the estate in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Johnson employed many workers for this daunting project, including local Timbisha Shoshone men. A high turnover rate may be indicative of more than just the extreme natural environment. Workers were immediately fired if caught violating any of Johnson's strict set of rules.

The house has thick walls and deep-set windows so that heat doesn't penetrate. While it looks like adobe, in fact, the house is wood framed with stucco. The walls were filled with insulation that keeps the house cool in the blistering heat.

The complete vision for Death Valley Ranch was never fully realized. A land dispute with the federal government caused Johnson to abruptly halt construction in 1931. Even though he was able to regain private ownership of his vacation home in 1937, Johnson could not accumulate the necessary funds or energy to execute the Castle's finishing touches. An unfinished pool and other incomplete landscape features will forever expose the abrupt end of construction at Scotty's Castle.

Balance WeightsBalance Weights [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA14400_ SC_balance.html" target="_blank"]
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Engineer's Scale RulersEngineer's Scale Rulers [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA14403_scale.html" target="_blank"]
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Aneroid BarometerAneroid Barometer [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA14404_barometer.html" target="_blank"]
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HydrometerHydrometer [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA14434_SC_hydrometer.html" target="_blank"]
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Leather Hole PunchLeather Hole Punch [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA17856_14994_punch_latch.html" target="_blank"]
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Branding IronsBranding Irons [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA18104_18607_18610SC_brands.html" target="_blank"]
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TileTile [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA19569_SC_tile.html" target="_blank"]
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TrowelTrowel [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA19775_SC_trowel.html" target="_blank"]
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Formal Garden Pergola Measured DrawingFormal Garden Pergola Measured Drawing [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA20160_DEVA_drawing.html" target="_blank"]
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Oil Can, Ratchet Handle Wrench, and Fleur de Lis Curtain Attachment Oil Can, Ratchet Handle Wrench, and Fleur de Lis Curtain Attachment [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA20514_18132_42054_SC_oilcan_wrench.html" target="_blank"]
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WeathervaneWeathervane [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA20637_SC_weathervane.html" target="_blank"]
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BoxBox [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA20640_SC_box.html" target="_blank"]
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Measured DrawingMeasured Drawing [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA21318_SC_drawing.html" target="_blank"]
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BrickBrick [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA40075_SC.html" target="_blank"]
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LedgerLedger [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA50249_SC_ledger.html" target="_blank"]
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Wall Insulation SampleWall Insulation Sample [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/DEVA53731_SC_wallSample.html" target="_blank"]
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CompressorCompressor [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-24150-Compressor-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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CompressorCompressor [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-24154-Compressor-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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GateGate [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-40015A-Gate-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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ScraperScraper [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-40029-Scraper-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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ConcentratorConcentrator [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-40040A-Concentrator-by-Bob-Greenburg2.html" target="_blank"]
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ForgeForge [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-41991-Forge-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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Conveyor-ball Bearing Mandrel (Roller Unit)Conveyor-ball Bearing Mandrel (Roller Unit) [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-50190_50191-Conveyor-Platform-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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Cement MixerDeath Valley Ranch Employees [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-50195A-Mixer-Cement-by-Bob-Greenburg.html" target="_blank"]
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Cradle SeparatorCradle Separator [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-50286-Separator-Cradle-by-Bob-Greenburg2.html" target="_blank"]
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AutomobileAutomobile [a href="exb/Greenburg/DEVA-60761-Automobile-1928-Ford-AA-Dump-Truck-by-Bob-Greenbu.html" target="_blank"]
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Stock CertificateStock Certificate [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Land/mining/DEVA24129A_certificate.html" target="_blank"]
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Construction
Workers Installing Boundary Fence PostsWorkers Installing Boundary Fence Posts [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40651_workers_photo.html" target="_blank"]
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Clock Tower (Chimes Tower) Construction Clock Tower (Chimes Tower) Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40681_castleConstruction.html" target="_blank"]
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Death Valley RanchDeath Valley Ranch [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40700_ranch.html" target="_blank"]
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Castle ConstructionCastle Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40729_castleConstruction.html" target="_blank"]
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Solar Water Heater ConstructionSolar Water Heater Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40780_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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"Cook House" Construction "Cook House" Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40797_cookhouse_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Cathedral RockCathedral Rock [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40820_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Construction of the Power House RoofConstruction of the Power House Roof [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40839_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Construction of the Tunnel [Middle of Pool], South of the CastleConstruction of the Tunnel [Middle of Pool], South of the Castle [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA40862_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Construction of Gate House (Entrance Gate)Construction of Gate House (Entrance Gate) [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41259_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Matt Roy Thompson with TelescopeMatt Roy Thompson with Telescope [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41289_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Swimming Pool Construction Swimming Pool Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41338_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Installation of the Septic Tank in Lower Tie Canyon Installation of the Septic Tank in Lower Tie Canyon [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41349_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Looking North Towards Tie Canyon, Chimes Tower and Power HouseLooking North Towards Tie Canyon, Chimes Tower and Power House [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41359_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Construction CrewConstruction Crew [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41362_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Hacienda and Landscaping of the Water CourseHacienda and Landscaping of the Water Course [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41410_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Gravel Separator in Tie CanyonGravel Separator in Tie Canyon [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41439_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Loading Cement on to a Flatbed Truck from The "Shed" (New Barn) Portion of the StablesLoading Cement on to a Flatbed Truck from The "Shed" (New Barn) Portion of the Stables [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41450_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Tiling the Roof of the Cook HouseTiling the Roof of the Cook House [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41453_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Looking Southwest At Swimmming Pool And CastleLooking Southwest At Swimmming Pool And Castle [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA41459_castle.html" target="_blank"]
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Original Block Cook House Structure And Canvas Wall TentOriginal Block Cook House Structure And Canvas Wall Tent [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA42741_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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Death Valley Ranch ConstructionDeath Valley Ranch Construction [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA42761_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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View Of Indian CampView Of Indian Camp [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA42787_Indian_Camp.html" target="_blank"]
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View Of Death Valley Ranch From The WestView Of Death Valley Ranch From The West [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA60033_construction.html" target="_blank"]
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BlueprintBlueprint [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA20679_blueprint.html" target="_blank"]
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DrawingDrawing [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA20680_drawing.html" target="_blank"]
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Ranch AppraisalRanch Appraisal [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA60759_03_001_photograph.html" target="_blank"]
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Resolution of Land DisputeResolution of Land Dispute [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA60759_03_006.html" target="_blank"]
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Warranty Deed Transfer to Bessie M. JohnsonWarranty Deed Transfer to Bessie M. Johnson [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA60759_03_009A.html" target="_blank"]
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Death Valley Ranch EmployeesDeath Valley Ranch Employees [a href="exb/Scottys_Castle/Scans/Castle_Architecture/DEVA_39967_employees.html" target="_blank"]
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Scotty's Castle Virtual Tour