The Amargosa Opera House and Hotel is located at Death Valley Junction in Death Valley National Park, California. It is approximately a two and a half hour drive from McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada via US-95 N. Pets are allowed here on a case by case basis so guests must call in advance to see if there is a suitable room available.
The Opera House is an extraordinary story, which dates back to the mid 1920s when the Pacific Coast Borax Company constructed a company town. This new town included a 23 room hotel and a recreation hall built at the northeast end of the complex used as a community center for dances, church services, movies, funerals, and town meetings. Initially known as Corkhill Hall it became somewhat derelict until 1967 when Marta Becket saw it and decided to do something with it.
Visitors here will now see the stunning transformation of the theatre with incredible murals painted on the walls and ceiling by Marta over a period of four years. There are paintings of an entire audience, American Indians and an assortment of different characters created by Marta. In the meantime shows were being given here with audiences seated on 105 garden chairs, which were eventually replaced in 1983 by 120 proper theatre seats so people can watch classical dance, music and comedy in comfort.
Guests at the hotel will notice the rooms here have also been painted with murals with angels, peacocks and cherubs on the walls. Room 22 has a ballerina dancing on a ball alongside acrobats and clowns, while the Dining Room walls have murals of a 16th century Spanish garden. An alcove at the entrance to the main hallway cleverly resembles a gazebo, which has been naturally lighted by a skylight.
There is a cafe onsite at the hotel open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as meals, coffee and baked goods after shows. The hours of opening are 7am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 7am to 4pm on Sunday. There are other eateries in Death Valley Junction including Forty-Niner Cafe at the Furnace Creek Ranch, Toll Road Restaurant and Wrangler Steakhouse at the Furnace Creek.
The Gift Shop gives guests and visitors a chance to take home a souvenir of their visit with many unique items on sale here. There are books about Marta Becket as well as various items of clothing, videos, postcards and some of Marta's paintings. These items along with other smaller novelty items, key rings and magnets can be purchased online via the Amargosa Opera House website.
A short distance from the Opera House is Ballarat Ghost Town, which is an interesting place to visit and was once a supply town for mines in the region. Visitors looking to get a round of golf can travel about 13 kilometers to Furnace Creek Golf Course, which is an 18-hole course 214 feet below sea level in Death Valley Junction.
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: