He invested in the mine but traveled to Death Valley to see where his money was going. Over nine years, they built a vacation home they called Death Valley Ranch. But Scott lived on the grounds until he died, and everyone referred to it as Scotty's Castle. Visitors stopped by the castle to see Scott and his famed gold mine when Death Valley became a national monument in 1933. open image in gallery A picture of Albert Johnson on display at Scotty’s Castle ( AP )A $90 million restorationWhen it was open, Scotty’s Castle drew 100,000 visitors every year.