Death Valley Junction, community in unincorporated Inyo County, California, USA
Death Valley Junction is a small unincorporated community in Inyo County, California, situated where two highways meet in the Mojave Desert. The settlement contains the historic Amargosa Opera House and Hotel along with several deteriorated buildings from the early industrial period.
The community was founded in 1907 when the Tonopah and Tidewater Railroad built a line through the area to connect with a nearby mine. The Spanish Revival opera house was constructed in the 1920s, and between 1914 and 1928, the Death Valley Railroad transported borax through the location.
The community is also known by the name Amargosa, which means 'Bitter' in Spanish and refers to the nearby Amargosa Valley. The opera house serves as a gathering place that has drawn artists and travelers interested in this remote desert location for its history and cultural significance.
The location is very remote with no gas stations or substantial shops, so visitors should arrive with plenty of water and supplies. Summer heat is extreme here, making visits during cooler months more comfortable and requiring good planning.
The place gained prominence largely through dancer and artist Marta Becket, whose car broke down nearby in 1967 and who subsequently took over the old opera house. She performed dance and mime shows there until her final performance in 2012, transforming the building into a local landmark.
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