Forrfi No. 10-306 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS ______TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS_____ INAME HISTORIC Death Vallev Scottv Historic District (Preferred) AND/OR COMMON Scottv T s Castle and Ranch. Death Vallev Ranch LOCATION /STREET & NUMBER 0 •- '• "-' "^ f\ HHi£hw*y 72 *V t tffi * v —NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY7TOWN & /& V\ £ l^&- /&"*•<?-- i CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Death Valley National Monument -£-.VICINITY OF Beattv. Nevada Eighteenth STATE CODE COUNTY CODE flal i fonrf ^ 06 Tnvo 027 HCLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USE JXDISTRICT J£PUBLIC X_OCCUPIED —AGRICULTURE X_MUSEUM _ BUILDING(S) —PRIVATE X-UNOCCUPIED —COMMERCIAL —PARK —STRUCTURE —BOTH _ WORK IN PROGRESS _ EDUCATIONAL X-PRIVATE RESIDENCE —SITE PUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE —ENTERTAINMENT —RELIGIOUS —OBJECT _IN PROCESS X-YES: RESTRICTED —GOVERNMENT —SCIENTIFIC —BEING CONSIDERED — YES: UNRESTRICTED —INDUSTRIAL —TRANSPORTATION —NO —MILITARY —OTHER: REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If applicable) National Park Service. Western Regional Office STREET & NUMBER 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36063 CITY, TOWN STATE Ran "FVartf i' grrt VICINITY OF California COURTHOUSE, REGISTRY OF DEEDS, ETC. r.niir1~hnngp. STREET & NUMBER 168 North Edwards Street CITY, TOWN STATE Independence. California TITLE Cultural Resources Survey/ Death Valley National Monument DATE 1976 X-FEDERAL —STATE —COUNTY —LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS National Park Service WRO CITY, TOWN STATE San Francisco California CONDITION CHECK ONE CHECK ONE —EXCELLENT X DETERIORATED ?_UNALTERED *.ORIGINALSITE _RUINS AMOVED DATE_ ?LFAIR _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE The Death Valley Scotty Historic District includes two separate building complexes, Scotty's Castle and Scotty1 s Ranch, and is located on the western slope of the Grape­ vine Mountains of Death Valley National Monument, California. Scotty's Castle stands on the north side of Grapevine Canyon at an elevation of appro­ ximately 3,000 feet. At least three different complexes of buildings have stood since 1900 on the present site of the Castle. A 1909 photograph of the Steininger (or Staininger) Jlanch.as«>the /site-was known, showed the Castlenarea utilized as an-irrigated pasture for gracing horses^;* A.grove of cottonwood trees stoocitnear(the base-of the hill, and within the grovei stood several buildings which formed the"ri.ncH'headquarters. The Steininger "Ranch had been-developed in the 1880s as a grape, vegetable^ aftd-^g fjaj-m. About the time of World War. I, • Albert Johnson, a Chicago millionaire; bought - the pro­ perty and other lancMn thei surround ing area. Three wooden tent frames were erected for camp use, and from 1922-25, Johnson initiated the building program which eventu­ ally resulted in the present complex known as Scotty's Castle. Starting in 1922, three wood frame, concrete and stucco buildings were constructed. These buildings--a residence, a cookhouse and a garage/workshop--we re built in a simple, rectangular style. In 1925, a series of,people, including construction engi­ neer Matt Roy Thompson, designer Charles Alexander MacNeilledge and architect MaTtin Dubovay were hired to modify and embellish the design of the existing struc­ tures an4 to? enlarges the,complex/.::iT^e;rjesu4ting buildings aare constructed in-sustyle which is a conglomerate of Mediterranean influences, called "old Provincial Spanish" by Bessie Johnson. :! Wor,k 'halted on the Castle in 1931 when funds ^ran out,' and the com­ plex has been modified only slightly since that -time. -The following structures, are included in the : Scatty' s' ©astle * area'. Main House"and Aimex SC-2 •."-..". ^ ?„ •. The Main House and adjacent Annex form the heart of the Castle complex. The build­ ings are typical of a particularly Californian style of the 1920's and 1930's, which com­ bines Mexican, Spanish, and Mediterranean influences with their rambling floor plans, open air patios and porches, and outdoor living spaces. The style includes architec- tual detailing of turrets and balconies, gently pitched gable roofs finished with red mission tile, and an off-white stucco finish;" The style is romantic and very suitable for its environment. The Main House, one of the three original structures built in 1922 by Johnson, included housing for the Johnsons, Scotty and guests, and cooking storage areas. Major modi­ fication began in 1926 with the construction of a reinforced concrete basement under the existing structure, other-niajor additions' to the rectangular building and the construc­ tion of the Annex. Because of Johnson's construction technique using hollow building tile and a foam insulator called "msulex, n the frame walls were increased in thickness. The gable roofs were finished with red tile. ».. ~., * \ :..-,-.; -.- Form No. 1£)-300a (fiev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR FOI* NFS US£ QNIY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RECEIVED AUG 311977 NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES mi 0 n 1Q70 INVENTORY - NOMINATION FORM \^Mmm^^ JUL2U1978 CONTIMUATION SHEET ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 2______________________ The Main House and Annex are connected by a second story bridge. Wood and hand- wrought iron entrance gates are located to the east and west. A tiled courtyard between the two structures was originally covered with eucalyptus logs to provide a sun screen and grape arbor. These have been removed. However, there are plans to replace them in the near future. A wishing well, constructed of concrete, decorative tile and hand-wrought iron work, is located in front of the east side entrance gates. The structure is in good condition. The Main Castle building contains 10 rooms, 4 bathrooms, and 3 covered porches. The Annex is similar in style and construction to the Main House, although it lacks a base­ ment. The Annex contains 13 rooms and 3 bathrooms. Both structures retain the orig­ inal appearance as built prior to 1931, except for the partitioned area in the Annex first floor porch (a U. S. Post Office in the 1950's), and the offices and storage rooms on the first floor of the Annex which have undergone minor interior changes. Common to both structures, in addition to the exterior styling, is the craftsmanship of the interior furnishings and architectural fittings and details. The buildings abound with tilework completed by master craftsmen, hand-wrought iron hinges, handles and latches on all doors and windows, massive redwood beams which were hand-finished with an alcohol torch, enormous hand-built chandeliers, and a tile and jasper fountain. The tables, chairs, curtains, tilework, and even dinner china were either designed or specifically chosen for Death Valley Ranch. Most of the furnishings were constructed in a workshop which Johnson organized in Los Angeles for the purpose of carrying out the furniture designs of Charles MacNeilledge and others. The other furnishings include many antiques bought by the MacNeilledges on a Johnson-sponsored buying trip to Europe. The artwork throughout the Castle includes originals and copies, among them a masterful copy of Raphael's "Madonna della Sedia." The choice of artwork reflects Bessie Johnson's tastes, but is of quality craftsmanship. The furnishings and objects have been documented. However, a comprehensive study has yet to be under­ taken. The Main House and Annex are in need of extensive repairs, although the buildings seem to be structurally sound, and all environmental control systems need to be com­ pletely replaced or substantially overhauled. The National Park Service conducts tours through most areas of the Castle and Annex. The first floor rooms of the Annex are used for storage, offices, and a caretaker's apartment. Motel-Garage Unit SC-7 Another of the three original buildings, enlarged over the years, is the Motel-Garage Unit, which comprises approximately 15 rooms in an L-shaped structure. The one story unit was constructed in 1922 and substantially remodeled to its present state by Form No. 1£-300a (Aev.'lO-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OE THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES DATJ INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM 197S CONTINUATION SHEET_________________ITEM NUMBER 7 PAGE 3______________________ 1930. The concrete foundation of the structure supports frame and stucco walls. The hip roof over the garage section is finished with mission tile. The flat roof over the motel section cantilevers over the porch area which extends the length of the building. The structure was used in its earliest period as drafting rooms for Matt Roy Thompson, and as a bunkhouse, chicken coop, and garage. The building was subsequently remod­ eled and enlarged to match the "Provincial Spanish" style of the complex, and later served as a motel unit. Today, the fifteen rooms are used for employee housing, and the attached storerooms for maintenance. The exterior of the structure remains nearly as it appeared in 1931. Cookhouse SC-6 The Cookhouse, the third original structure from the 1922 building complex is a con­ crete, frame, and stucco structure, consisting of four rooms and bath. The building has been modified several times since its construction resulting in a rather confused appearance. The exact dates and extent of each modification are not known, and should be determined by the Historic Structure Report. As it exists now, the structure is in the "Provincial Spanish" style, and is multi-roofed, with shed and gable roofs finished in red mission tile. Non-structural log vigas extend from the exterior walls. Stained wood lintels are located above all the doors and windows. The interior woodwork is redwood. Exposed ceiling beams are located throughout the structure. The building is in fair condition, although some repair work is necessary. The building is still in use as a storage area for the Scotty's Castle concessioner. Hacienda-Great House SC-1 The Hacienda is a frame, hollow tile and stucco building. The structure has a con­ crete foundation with a full basement which was never completed.