Myrtle Botts (likely born in the late 19th or early 20th century; died 1974) was a longtime librarian, local historian, and community figure in Julian, California, best remembered today for her role in popularizing the legend of the “Lost Ship of the Desert” (often associated with the Mojave or Colorado Desert regions).
Early Life and Background
Details about Botts’ early life are sparse in public records. She married Louis Botts, and the couple settled in Julian, a small mountain town in San Diego County known for its Gold Rush history. Julian provided a tight-knit community where Myrtle became deeply involved in local affairs. By the 1930s, she worked as the town librarian, a position she held for decades (her daughter Jeri later took over the role around 1935, and Myrtle continued until retiring in 1968).
She was known for her intelligence, wide reading, and enthusiasm for history and nature, despite having only a high school education. Contemporaries described her as talented and brilliant. She played an active role in community events, such as chairing the annual Julian Wildflower Show in the 1940s.
Contributions as Historian and Librarian
Botts dedicated much of her life to preserving Julian’s history. She authored History of Julian, a key local publication (with editions or printings around 1959 and 1969) that chronicled the town’s founding during the 1869–1870 gold rush, its pioneers, mining operations, and development into a enduring community.
Her work is cited in later historical accounts of Julian, including studies of its African American pioneers and overall resilience beyond the boom-and-bust mining era. She was involved with the Julian Historical Society and the Julian Pioneer Museum, where artifacts related to her stories (including materials tied to the lost ship legend) are preserved.
Botts also interacted with notable local figures, including poet and author Marshal South (and his family), who lived reclusively on nearby Ghost Mountain in the Anza-Borrego Desert. South reportedly developed a deep (possibly romantic) affection for her, exchanging letters and poetry. The Botts family remained close to the Souths; Myrtle and Louis helped with arrangements after Marshal South’s death in 1948.
Involvement in the Search for the Lost Ship of the Mojave/Colorado Desert
Botts’ most famous contribution to regional lore came in 1933, during a camping and wildflower-viewing trip with her husband Louis near Agua Caliente Springs in what is now Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (part of the broader Colorado Desert, often linked to Mojave Desert legends).
According to accounts she later shared:
- The couple met an old prospector who claimed to have seen the remains of an ancient ship—specifically described as a Viking longship—protruding from the side of a canyon or arroyo (often identified as Canebrake Canyon or nearby Tierra Blanco Canyon). He noted distinctive features like round shields along its sides and a serpentine figure on the prow.
- The prospector provided written directions, which are reportedly preserved at the Julian Pioneer Museum.
- Following the directions, Myrtle reportedly caught a glimpse of the ship from a distance. She returned to fetch her husband for a closer look and better-equipped expedition the next day.
However, they were unable to relocate it. Botts attributed this to a 6.4-magnitude earthquake centered off Huntington Beach, California, which she believed caused rocks and debris to bury the wreck. No photographs were taken, and subsequent searches (including her own returns) failed to rediscover it.
Her story added a 20th-century chapter to the long-standing “Lost Ship of the Desert” legend, which dates back to Spanish-era tales of a galleon (possibly from the 16th–18th centuries) stranded inland due to shifting seas, floods, or ancient waterways connected to the Salton Sea or Colorado River. Variants include Spanish treasure ships, Viking vessels, or other craft. Botts’ account helped sustain interest in the mystery, inspiring later expeditions (e.g., by UCLA students in 1949 or explorer John Grasson). Skeptics view it as folklore or misidentification, but it remains a colorful part of desert mythology.
Botts recorded claims from others who said they had seen ship remnants with Scandinavian features, further embedding the Viking narrative in local lore.
Later Life and Legacy
Myrtle Botts continued her library work, historical writing, and community involvement into her later years. She passed away in 1974. Her husband Louis survived her for some time.
She is remembered as a dedicated preserver of Julian’s heritage and a key figure in one of California’s most enduring desert mysteries. Her History of Julian and the ship story documented at the Pioneer Museum ensure her place in the region’s cultural history. While the lost ship has never been conclusively found (and many consider it legendary), Botts’ earnest accounts added intrigue and encouraged exploration of the Anza-Borrego badlands.
Her life exemplifies the role of small-town librarians and amateur historians in keeping local legends and histories alive amid the rugged landscapes of Southern California.
