Built in the late 1920s to early 1930s at a cost of $2 million by Albert Johnson, a wealthy insurance man from Chicago, as a summer home. Johnson's lifelong friend, Walter Scott (also known as Death Valley Scotty), introduced him to Death Valley. Scotty once rode a trick pony in a Wild West Show and was known as something of a lovable con man. He and Johnson were partners in Death Valley Ranch, although Johnson put up all of the money. Johnson, his wife Bessie and Scotty all lived at the Castle, then know as Death Valley Ranch. After Scotty's death the place came to be known as Scotty's Castle.