News Release

Hundreds of historic Scotty's Castle photographs published online

Scotty’s Castle during the first phase of construction, around 1923.

Mat Roy Thompson. Courtesy of Death Valley National Park, museum catalog number DEVA 18400.

News Release Date: May 24, 2021

Contact: Abby Wines, 760-786-3221

Contact: Gretchen Voeks, 760-786-3258

DEATH VALLEY, CA – The National Park Service has posted 568 historic Scotty’s Castle photos online. The website, NPGallery.nps.gov/deva, includes snapshots that chronicle the desert escapades of Walter “Death Valley Scotty” Scott, Albert Johnson, Bessie Johnson, their friends, and their families. The collection includes series of photographs taken from the same location over time that chronicles the nine years of construction in the 1920s.

The project was the brainchild of NPS Scotty’s Castle curator Gretchen Voeks, who said, “Digitizing accomplishes two goals; because we now have electronic copies to use for research, the original photographs are less susceptible to damage from use and wear, and the online publication makes it possible for many more people to access the materials.” The project was co-managed by Emily Field, of Great Basin Institute.

Volunteers contributed over 3,000 hours in a “labor of love” to share these photos with the world. Dwight Pennebaker, Christine Ford, Terry Eddington, Pam Krajnick, and Leigh McLendon scanned delicate historic photos, researched to verify copyrights, described the photos, and uploaded them to the site.

Scotty’s Castle is temporarily closed to the public due to damage from a flash flood in 2015. Further tragedy struck on April 22, when the partially-repaired visitor center burned to the ground. Repairs will resume shortly, and the NPS plans to reopen Scotty’s Castle in 2023.

Scotty’s Castle during the second phase, January 1927. The middle of the circa-1923 building has been removed, less than 4 years after it was constructed.

Mat Roy Thompson. Courtesy of Death Valley National Park, museum catalog number DEVA 40419.

Scotty’s Castle during the second phase, April 1927. The middle of the building is being reconstructed. Porches and a roof-top tower are being added.

Mat Roy Thompson. Courtesy of Death Valley National Park, museum catalog number DEVA 40466.

Scotty’s Castle during the second phase of construction, January 1928. Construction appears focused on the annex wing, behind the main house.

Mat Roy Thompson. Courtesy of Death Valley National Park, museum catalog number DEVA 40518.