If you’re looking for a fun day trip in the In Ko Pah Mountains near Jacumba Hot Springs along Old U.S. Route 80, consider visiting Desert View Tower, which has welcomed travelers since the early 1920s. Construction began in 1922 by Bert Vaughn, a San Diego real estate developer who owned much of the surrounding land. Vaughn dedicated the tower “to the pioneers, and highway and railroad builders who opened up the area,” intending it as both a tribute and a destination for motorists navigating the rugged mountain route between San Diego and the Imperial Valley
Sourced Stone
Built of locally sourced stone, the tower rises roughly 70 feet and sits at about 3,000 feet in elevation. From the observation level, visitors can see sweeping desert vistas and, on clear days, distant views over the Imperial Valley. Inside, multiple levels are connected by a narrow, winding staircase that preserves the experience early motorists encountered on long desert journeys.
Before Modern Highways
The site lies along a historic corridor that predates modern highways. Long before paved roads existed, stagecoaches, freight wagons, and early automobiles traversed this mountain pass. Early 20th‑century newspapers regularly chronicled the flow of these travelers through the In Ko Pah Mountains, underscoring the route’s role as a vital transit path long before Desert View Tower was built. At Mountain Springs, an ox team station helped wagons up steep grades between 1862 and 1870, reflecting the deep transportation history of the area.
View of Desert View Tower at Jacumba in San Diego County back country c. 1925 (Photo courtesy of the San Diego History Center)
In the era of early automobile travel, the tower became a popular roadside stop for motorists traveling east from San Diego. A small commercial presence grew nearby, including a café and gift shop catering to travelers making the journey through the rugged terrain. One visitor wrote, “I stopped by … with my in‑laws and aunt, had a great time looking around and climbing the tower!” Another noted it was “well worth the stop just for the memories.”
Rock Sculptures
Adjacent to the tower is Boulder Park, a collection of rock sculptures carved directly into the natural granite boulders in the 1930s by Merle Ratcliff, an engineer unemployed during the Great Depression. Ratcliff’s carvings — animals, figures, and whimsical shapes etched into massive stone — remain a notable artistic feature of the site. A longtime visitor reflected, “The kids and I had a good time climbing over the boulders in the Boulder Park looking for the sculptures,” highlighting how the site continues to engage families and travelers decades later.
Both Desert View Tower and Boulder Park were listed on the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 29, 1980, recognized for their association with early roadside culture and folk art environments in California. Although most travelers now use Interstate 8 instead of the old mountain route, the tower continues to attract visitors interested in its history, panoramic views, and connection to a bygone era of travel.
Where to FInd It
Desert View Tower is located at In Ko Pah Park Road, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA. 91934. Visitors can contact the site at (619) 971‑2845. The tower is typically open daily, though hours may vary, and there is a small fee to climb the observation deck and Boulder Park.
Sources:
DesertUSA for historic roadside context and travel significance.
AroundUs for visitor information and contact details.
Historical reporting from early 20th-century newspapers, local visitor reviews.
The National Register of Historic Places documentation.
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