Top 16 Stunningly Expensive Deserted Structures

15. Scotty's Castle, California's Inyo

Location: California's Inyo, Death Valley
Period: 1922–1931
Construction costs: $26.58–$35.44 million*
In the early 1920s, prospector, entertainer, and well-known scam artist Walter Scott spent tens of millions of dollars (adjusted for inflation) building Scotty's Castle. Years passed while building the castle, which was formerly known as Death Valley Ranch. Scott never owned Scotty's Castle, despite the name, and it's really more of a two-story home.

Inyo, California's Scotty's Castle, @atlasobscura/Pinterest
The 1,500 acres of land that surrounded the ranch were purchased by Scott's friend and financial partner, Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson, which is why the property was so pricey. Johnson was enthralled with Scott despite Scott's deception, and the two developed an odd bond. Before it was inundated and shuttered to the public in 2015, Scotty's Castle was a popular tourist destination.

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