Grave of Death Valley Scotty and his Dog

Death Valley, California

Walter Scott was a prospector-swindler who spent years milking investors with tales of a nonexistent Death Valley gold mine. He was also the colorful and charming "Death Valley Scotty," veteran of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. One of his backers, a Chicago millionaire, owned an elaborate Death Valley vacation home, and told Scotty he could live there. The home became known as "Scotty's Castle," even though Scotty was nothing more than a guest who never left. When he died in 1954 he was buried on a hilltop grave behind the Castle, next to the grave of his dog Windy. Scotty's bronze tombstone features his likeness; visitors rub his nose for luck.