Desert View Tower, Observation tower in Imperial County, California
The 70-foot stone tower stands at 3,000 feet elevation, offering views across San Diego County mountains and Imperial County desert landscapes.
Bert Vaughn constructed the tower between 1922 and 1928 as a rest stop for travelers making month-long journeys from San Diego across the desert.
The tower and adjacent Boulder Park feature Depression-era stone sculptures by Merle Ratcliff, representing significant folk art from the 1930s.
Visitors can explore five stories filled with exhibits, access the observation deck, and visit the gift shop at the base of the tower.
The site marks the location of Mountain Springs Station, a stone house from 1862-1870 that supported ox teams pulling wagons up steep grades.
Location: California
GPS coordinates: 32.65917,-116.09917
Latest update: May 11, 2025 17:45
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