Cultural Landscapes Inventory: Scotty's Castle
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National Park Service Cultural Landscapes Inventory 2005 Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park Proposed Revisions in the CLI Database for Scotty’s Castle rev. 8/11/11 1. Chronology It is proposed that the following entries in bold be added to the chronology section: 2005 AD 2005 AD Stabilized Targeted portions of loose stucco on the Powerhouse were repaired and conserved, or replaced. 2005 AD 2005 AD Stabilized Broken or missing terra cotta roof tiles were replaced or repaired as necessary on the Scotty’s Castle Main House, Annex, and Guest House. 2005 AD 2005 AD Stabilized The Romanesque columns that support the entry porch on the south side of the Chimes Tower were stabilized. 2010 AD 2010 AD Rehabilitated The Cookhouse was rehabilitated. The building was damaged in 1991 due to a fire. As a result of the rehabilitation, the building has the same footprint, massing, roof pitches/lines and exterior appearance as the original structure. 2. Stabilization Description It is proposed that the existing stabilization measures and stabilization cost explanatory be removed from the database in order to provide more up-to-date information in the future. See proposed stabilization measures description in the box below. Existing Stabilization Measures Description: Assess root damage to the watercourse structure. Remove vegetation causing damage. Existing Stabilization Cost Explanatory Narrative: The structural integrity of the watercourse must be assessed by park staff. The evaluation should determine where the vegetation is damaging the structure. Tasks should be determined, the number of crew to complete the job, and budget. Buildings have not yet been assessed for stabilization measures or costs (An historic structures report is currently in draft). Page 1 of 4 Proposed Revisions in the CLI Database for Scotty’s Castle rev. 8/11/11 Proposed Stabilization Measures Description: 1. Remove encroaching vegetation (such as mesquite, creosote and palm trees) near the foundation of the watercourse to stabilize structure. 2. Stabilize historic concrete post and barbed wire fence surrounding the historic district. 3. The riparian area near the stables is growing and rapidly encroaching outward toward the employee parking area. While the encroaching vegetation is not threatening to undermine any buildings or structures, the vegetation needs to be thinned. Additional recommendations for the stabilization of individual buildings can be found in the Death Valley Scotty Historic District Historic Structures Report prepared for the National Park Service by Carey & Co. Inc., 2009, pgs. 347-363 3. Condition It is proposed that the Scotty’s Castle cultural landscape condition assessment remain as “fair.” New information is noted in bold. Existing condition information associated with the 2005 assessment will be maintained in the database. Condition Assessment Condition Assessment Date Condition Assessment Explanatory Narrative Fair 9/9/2005 The structural integrity of the watercourse is being compromised by root encroachment. Fair 11/18/2010 The condition of the Scotty’s Castle cultural landscape has been assessed as fair. Although individual features or elements associated with the landscape may be in good, fair, or poor condition, collectively, the overall landscape is in fair condition. The inventory unit shows clear evidence of minor disturbances and deterioration by natural and/or human forces, and some degree of corrective action is needed within 3-5 years to prevent further harm to its cultural and/or natural values. Page 2 of 4 Proposed Revisions in the CLI Database for Scotty’s Castle rev. 8/11/11 4. Impacts to Inventory Unit Proposed additions to the impacts section are listed below: Impact External or Type Internal Impact Explanatory Narrative Exposure Both Internal Several buildings, structures and circulation features To and External have been adversely affected as a result of exposure to Elements elements such as wind, rain and sun. Encroaching Internal Encroaching vegetation, including mesquite, creosote Encroaching Vegetation Both Internal and External Vegetation and palm trees is negatively impacting the foundation of the watercourse. Encroaching vegetation along the fence line is negatively Encroaching affecting the concrete posts and barbed wires. Posts Internal Vegetation have also suffered from exposure to elements and deferred maintenance. Theft External Theft of objects found in dump sites in Tie Canyon has been problematic. Erosion Both Internal As a result of the dynamic nature of this environment, Encroaching Vegetation Both Internal and External and External several features have been adversely affected by erosion. Objects and materials that date to the period of significance are washing down Tie Canyon and concrete fence posts have been displaced, especially near Bonnie Clare Road. Operations Internal Park and contractor vehicles parked in inappropriate on Site locations detract from the historic character of the site. Encroaching Internal The riparian area near the stables is growing and rapidly Vegetation encroaching outward toward the employee parking area. Page 3 of 4 Proposed Revisions in the CLI Database for Scotty’s Castle rev. 8/11/11 Historically, the vegetation in this area was less dense as a result of occasional burning and grazing activities. Today, the character of the riparian area is significantly different than what existed during the period of significance. Selective thinning should be considered to reduce the density of the vegetation. Page 4 of 4 Cultural Landscape Inventory: Scotty's Castle Death Valley National Park concurs with the general findings of this Cultural Landscape Inventory, including the Management Category and Condition Assessment as listed below: MANAGEMENT CATEGORY B: Should be preserved and maintained CONDITION ASSESSMENT: Fair 76 7-05 &L superintendent, Death Valley National Park Date Please return this form to: Erica Owens CLI Coordinator, Seattle Office National Park Service 909 1'' Ave, Floor 5 Seattle, WA 98104 --- -, - - - - - -- - - -. - - 1 Dennis Weber - Scottys-Castle-DOE.doc Page 1 - -- - - - - - - - - - - - -- - -- SCOTTY'S CASTLE DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK California SHPO Eligibility Determination Section 110 Actions Requested: 1) SHPO concurrence on the boundary established for Scotty's Castle, a site within the Death Valley Scotty Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978) 2) SHPO concurrence with expansion of the period of significance from 1922- 193 1 to 1907-1954. 3) SHPO concurrence that the Setting, as identified in the CLI, contributes to the significance of the site. 4) SHPO concurrence with the addition of structures to the List of Classified Structures (LCS). (See chart below) 1) -XI concur, I do not concur with the boundary established for Scotty's Castle, a site within the Death Valley Scotty Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978) 2) -I concur, X I do not concur with the proposed period of significance expansion for the Scotty's Castle as described in the Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI). 3) X-I concur, I do not concur that the Setting as described in the CLI contributes to Scotty's Castle (see the following landscape characteristics: natural systems and features, spatial organization, topography, circulation, and vegetation). 4) The following structures, located within the Death Valley Scotty Historic District, are alreadv listed on the National Registeru of Historic Places as contributingu elements: LCS number I LCS Structure Name NRlS Number 000250 bcottyls castle 78000297 057834 Scotty's Castle Annex 78000297 007613 Scotty's Castle Chlrnestower 78000297 007612 Scotty's Castle Hacienda-Guest House 78000297 007614 Scotty's Castle Powerhouse and Pav~l~on 78000297 007615 Scotty's Castle Gas House 78000297 007616 Scotty's Castle Cookhouse 78000297 007617 Scotty's Castle Motel UnltIGarage 78000297 007624 Scotty's Castle Swlrnrn~ngPool 78000297 056095 Scotty's Castle Scotty's Cabln 78000297 007620 Scotty's Castle Stable 78000297 007621 Scotty's Castle ~ntrahceGates 78000297 007619 Scotty's Castle Solar Heater 78000297 007622 Scottv's Castle Gravel Separator 78000297 -- - ---- -- - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- L~ennisWeber - Scottys-Castle-DOE.doc . - - - - - Based on the information provided in the CLI, the following previously unevaluated structures have been identified as contributing to Scotty's Castle: LCS number I LCS Structure Name I Date Built I Concur ( Do not Concur 461552 Scotty's Castle Watercourse 1930 X 461557 Scotty's Castle Retaining walls (dry stack 1925-31 X stone and concrete) 461559 Scotty's Castle Entrance Road 1929 X 461562 Scotty's Castle Building Complex Access 1922-31 X 461564 Scotty's Castle Tie Canyon Access Roads 1928 X 461566 Scotty's Castle Spring Access Road 1922-26 X 461 567 Scotty's Castle Tile Courtyard (between 1927 X Scotty's Castle and Annex) 461581 Scotty's Castle Stone Walkways at Cook 1931 X qouse and Guest House 461586 Scotty's Castle Concrete Driveway at 1930 X Scotty's Castle Motel UnitIGarage Based on the information provided in the CLI, the following previously unevaluated structures have been identified as not contributing to Scotty's Castle because they were constructed after the period of significance: LCS number I Structure Name I Concur I Do not Concur NA Ticket Booth X NA Gas Pumps -X X NA l~dministrativeportable trailer X NA Storage shed (adjacent to portable tra~ler) X NA Three structures at spring X NA Gas Tank House addition