Although the railroad came through much earlier, until 1923 Death Valley Junction remained a tent city. Pacific Coast Borax Co. in that year built the town as a railway junction to house workers. A U-shaped Mexican Colonial building became the hotel, office complex and recreation hall. The town prospered through the 1940s after which it fell into decline.
In 1967, due to a flat tire while touring, New York ballerina, Rockette, Broadway chorus lines dancer and mime Marta Becket discovered the deserted building and fell in love with it and the quiet desert. She returned shortly thereafter and was able to arrange to rent the building and eventually to purchase it. 
In this dusty remote town she performed to small and, at times, to non-existent audiences. She became inspired to paint an audience on the bare walls and painted folk from the Spanish Renaissance period in gilded balconies. The king and queen sit on the back wall opposite the stage. The galleries are filled with courtiers and commoners, lovers and drunkards, priests and nuns. "Right next to the nuns I have the 'ladies of the night'. They are based on ladies who lived in a bordello 7 miles away. The madam heard we were opening a theatre here, so she brought her girls here every month to my performances. For culture."
The painting took four years. Upon completion of the walls Marta went on to paint the ceiling which took her another two years.
Her artwork also graces many of the hotel rooms.
The painting took four years. Upon completion of the walls Marta went on to paint the ceiling which took her another two years.
Her artwork also graces many of the hotel rooms.
Murals in the Jezebel Room were painted with the "ladies of the night" from Ash Meadows Ranch in mind.
Trapeze artists on the ceiling.
For nearly 42 years she has performed to audiences from around the world. Due to an injury two years ago Marta gave up the dancing she so loved and now, at the age of 84, in costume, performs what she calls "The Sitting Down Show". She captivates audiences that fill the 128-seat theatre one night a week for seven months of the year. The opera house and hotel walls and her dedication to dance are an inspiration.
Red Skelton attended a performance while traveling in the area and became a friend to Marta and a regular visitor to the hotel and opera house. He asked that she paint a room with circus performers. Although he died a short time later, she honored his request in this room.
Trapeze artists on the ceiling.
For nearly 42 years she has performed to audiences from around the world. Due to an injury two years ago Marta gave up the dancing she so loved and now, at the age of 84, in costume, performs what she calls "The Sitting Down Show". She captivates audiences that fill the 128-seat theatre one night a week for seven months of the year. The opera house and hotel walls and her dedication to dance are an inspiration.A group of us from the refuge attended a performance two years ago and fell in love with her and the institution she had created. Last night a "mixer" was held at the hotel and I couldn't miss the opportunity to see it all again.
Death Valley Junction now has a population of 4, all of whom reside at the Amargosa Hotel and Opera House. Soon we will get a photo of the entire building during daylight to post here.
