In 1912 the mines at Ryan opened and a 17 mile spur known as the Death Valley Railroad was built. It was then that the Junction blossomed. Large industrial buildings, a refinery and quarters for the workers were built. It was an impressive facility. But when borax mining moved to the new mine at Boron some 150 miles away the railroad had to fight for its survival.

The answer was tourism. In 1925 the miners quarters were converted to guest rooms and visitors could stay at the Amargosa Hotel. Today the Amargosa Hotel is still open and run by the Amargosa Opera House, a non-profit organization founded by internationally renown Artist and dancer, Marta Beckett.