Kelso

Kelso Station

In the Mojave desert east of Barstow along the Union Pacific tracks is the town of Kelso.  The town was a water stop for the railroad and located near a spring.  The station became a restaurant to feed rail travelers and a bunkhouse for workers.  When the railroads switched to diesel, the town fell into ruin.  A few people still live here, but the location is quite desolate.  The town was known to be the last place in the US to get television.  In 2005 the station was renovated and is now a visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve.  The lunchroom will re-open soon for visitors to once again enjoy.