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Fire destroys historic structure at Scotty’s Castle complex in Death Valley National Park

The remains of a historic garage structure that burned in Death Valley National Park on April 23, 2021. (National Park Service)

A historic garage building was destroyed by fire and another was damaged at the Scotty’s Castle complex in Death Valley National Park.

The main house and other surrounding structures were not harmed in the fire Thursday morning, the National Park Service said.


photo shows the structure reduced to rubble.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, the service said.

Scotty’s Castle was built at an oasis as a desert dream home in the 1920s by a Chicago millionaire couple and a local prospector character, Walter “Death Valley Scotty” Scott, who supposedly had a secret gold mine.

The complex has been closed for rebuilding and restoration since a devastating flood in 2015.