Perhaps the last place on earth anyone would expect to find a medieval mansion is in the Mojave Desert. Influenced architecturally by a range of styles, including Mediterranean, mission, and Spanish colonial revival, the 1920s Scotty’s Castle sits in the far-north corner of Death Valley National Park. This famous desert park straddles the California-Nevada state line.
With its red terracotta roof and stucco exterior, Scotty’s Castle appears to have bloomed from a monochromatic landscape. Classic European and medieval architectural features, such as turrets, towers, and balconies, compete with the craggy, wild Grapevine Canyon hills that surround it. The rugged scenery also contrasts with the orderly Roman and Gothic arches, hipped roofs, wall walk, and wide, lookout crenels and merlons of the fortress tower.
All in all, Scotty’s Castle is noteworthy for its uniqueness. Even the story of how it came to be built in North America’s hottest, driest area, where summer temperatures often top 120 degrees Fahrenheit and rainfall is less than two inches annually, is unusual. Ex-Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show trick-rider Walter Perry Scott (Scotty) promised investors a share in a Death Valley gold mine. When the mine didn’t materialize, one investor—Chicago millionaire Albert M. Johnson—decided, nevertheless, that dry desert air provided a healthy environment for he and his wife, Bessie, to enjoy in a vacation getaway.
Two architects, first Charles MacNeilledge and then Martin de Dubovay, are credited with designing the eclectic two-story structure that resembles both a fortress and a sprawling Spanish hacienda. A main house and annex are connected on the second floor by an arched bridge and on the first floor by an open, tiled courtyard. Rising above the second floor are two towers: a Spanish-style tower topped with an arcade and an open medieval-style tower.
Inside the extravagant mansion, which boasts 14 fireplaces and four kitchens, are a variety of textures and treatments. The interior is adorned with everything from hand-painted inlaid tile to exposed rock work as well as carved and stenciled wood.
Though it was built in a desert, springs in Grapevine Canyon supplied water and generated electricity for Scotty’s Castle. An ingenious 1930s solar device heated water.
After caretaking the property for the Johnsons for several years, Scotty died in the 1950s and was buried near the castle that bears his name. In the 1970s, the National Park Service became the owners of the property. Ticketed tours enable visitors to view the incomparable structure. After 10 years of repairs due to flood and fire damage, the landmark is offering limited tours.
What arts and culture topics would you like us to cover? Please email ideas or feedback to features@epochtimes.nyc.
