Desert View Tower: A Roadside Relic

Desert View Tower, a striking stone tower, rises 3,000 feet above sea level in the In-Ko-Pah Mountains near Jacumba Hot Springs. Constructed between 1922 and 1928 by Burt Vaughn, a San Diego real estate developer, the tower served as a roadside attraction on the then-new highway. Vaughn, who owned much of Jacumba, dedicated the tower to the pioneers, highway builders, and railroad workers who shaped the region. The tower's architecture is simple yet imposing, with walls four feet thick. Salvaged wood from the old Plank Road was used in its construction. Inside, a circular staircase leads to the observation deck, offering expansive views stretching to the Imperial Valley and, on clear days, as far as the Salton Sea. Adjacent to the tower is Boulder Park, a whimsical collection of folk art sculptures carved into the local stone by Merle Ratcliff during the Great Depression. These carvings add to the unique atmosphere of the site. Over the years, the Desert View Tower has become a repository of local history and artifacts. The gift shop at the base offers a variety of items, from historical memorabilia to quirky souvenirs. The tower and Boulder Park were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Today, Desert View Tower remains a popular stop for travelers on Interstate 8, offering a blend of history, art, and stunning desert scenery.