So, this place was an interesting find this past weekend. Death Valley Junc
So, this place was an interesting find this past weekend.
Death Valley Junction was first built by US Borax in the 20's, to support mining operatio...
Read more
So, this place was an interesting find this past weekend.
Death Valley Junction was first built by US Borax in the 20's, to support mining operations in the local area. The mine was shut down in 1943, as the railroad was deconstructed, and there remained limited means to get the product elsewhere.
In 1956, while traveling through with her husband, Marte Becket's vehicle suffered a flat tire. The only active building, being the local service station.
While their vehicle was being repaired, Marte explored her surroundings. She found the abandoned Corkhill Hall, used by US Borax workers.
She contacted whomever she could find to see about acquiring the theater. See, as a Broadway actress, she always wanted to have her own theater.
She was finally granted permission to lease the buildings for $45 a month. She never moved back to New York City. She would perform in her theater daily, but she never had an audience, so she decided to paint an audience.
It took her 6 years to paint the walls of the theater, alone. She had divorced from her husband, and never left Death Valley Junction.
See, it's finding places like this, that drive me to always keep my eyes open. To never stop asking questions, and to never stop exploring.
I have driven through Death Valley Junction before, never being able to stop, but I always wondered what was there. I always wondered why that area had been so important to still remain. Now I know.
I hope that others make the decision to stop, and even stay at this historic location. Because many historic locations, don't have the capability for you to actually stay. This place is definitely worth it.
Read less
Death Valley Junction was first built by US Borax in the 20's, to support mining operations in the local area. The mine was shut down in 1943, as the railroad was deconstructed, and there remained limited means to get the product elsewhere.
In 1956, while traveling through with her husband, Marte Becket's vehicle suffered a flat tire. The only active building, being the local service station.
While their vehicle was being repaired, Marte explored her surroundings. She found the abandoned Corkhill Hall, used by US Borax workers.
She contacted whomever she could find to see about acquiring the theater. See, as a Broadway actress, she always wanted to have her own theater.
She was finally granted permission to lease the buildings for $45 a month. She never moved back to New York City. She would perform in her theater daily, but she never had an audience, so she decided to paint an audience.
It took her 6 years to paint the walls of the theater, alone. She had divorced from her husband, and never left Death Valley Junction.
See, it's finding places like this, that drive me to always keep my eyes open. To never stop asking questions, and to never stop exploring.
I have driven through Death Valley Junction before, never being able to stop, but I always wondered what was there. I always wondered why that area had been so important to still remain. Now I know.
I hope that others make the decision to stop, and even stay at this historic location. Because many historic locations, don't have the capability for you to actually stay. This place is definitely worth it.
Read less
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