Doheny Memorial Library, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0189 Public Domain. Release under the CC BY Attribution license--http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/--Credit both “University of Southern California. Libraries” and “California Historical Society” as the source. Digitally reproduced by the USC Digital Library; From the California Historical Society Collection at the University of Southern California Send requests to address or e-mail given USC Libraries Special Collections specol@usc.edu
Description
Photographic portrait of "Death Valley Scotty", California, ca.1926. "Scotty" stands pictured from the waist up in pinstripe slacks and a long-sleeved, light-colored button-down shirt with his hands folded behind his back. He wears what appears to be a park ranger's hat, and his shoulders are slightly turned to the right. His face is round and sags slightly. His eyes are squinted. A rancher-style house is visible in the right background along with trees and a utility pole. "Walter Scott, AKA Death Valley Scotty, was born in 1872. As a young boy he ran away from his Kentucky home to join his brother on a ranch in Nevada. After working numerous jobs in the area, he traveled the world for 12 years with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Scotty convinced several wealthy businessmen to invest in his Death Valley gold mine, which he assured them, was worth millions. Albert Johnson, a Chicago insurance magnate, was one of the investors and thus began a lifelong friendship and partnership. It was definitely a case of opposites attracting. Johnson was a well respected, religious man whereas Scotty was a rowdy, shady character. After investing thousands of dollars and receiving no return, Johnson decided to personally check out the mine, despite the fact that his health was not good. Because the dry, sunny climate improved his health dramatically, Johnson and his wife made frequent visits to the Valley which, in turn, led to the building the Death Valley ranch. The 3,000-foot elevation and reliable year-round water supply made the site ideal. Johnson supplied more than $2 million needed to finance the project, but Scotty supplied the mystery, curiosity and entertainment. Over the years, many came to visit including Betty Grable, Will Rogers and Norman Rockwell." -- Sandra Scott.
Type
image
Format
3 photographs : photonegatives, photoprint, b&w 13 x 10 cm., 26 x 21 cm. negatives (photographic) photographic prints photographs
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