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In the ten years that followed Johnson's first trek out to Death Valley he came back often. His wife (Bessie Penniman) started to come with him but did not particularly like the rough living conditions. Mrs. Johnson asked for something more comfortable and with this idea the Death Valley Ranch was born in the late 1920s. |
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| Castle Main Entrance |
Front Door |
Since Scotty was on site and the Johnson's only visited, Scotty started telling everyone who asked that the home (which cost over $2 million) was his and was being financed with profits from his "secret" gold mine that was rumored to be under the building.
Johnson, who knew a good joke when he heard it, went along with the story that the house was Scotty's and to the world at large he became Scotty's banker.
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| Bell Tower |
Outbuilding |
The castle was an interesting engineering feat in that time. Because of springs in the area and a generating plant under the bell tower the castle had full running water and electricity with all the comforts of home those brought.
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Copyright © 2002
Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved
