Kelso, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelso
|
|
|---|---|
Historic Kelso Depot
|
|
 Kelso
Location in California
Kelso
Location in the United States
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Elevation | 2,126 ft (648 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes |
92309
|
| Area codes | 442/760 |
| FIPS code | 06-38058 |
| GNIS feature ID | 244232 |
Kelso is a fascinating ghost town located in the Mojave National Preserve in San Bernardino County, California, USA. It was once a busy railroad stop. The town got its name from a railroad worker named John H. Kelso. His name was chosen from a hat with two other workers' names.
Kelso was built in 1905 as a railroad station. It was on the main rail line between Utah and Los Angeles. It was first called "Siding 16" because of its location. Nearby springs provided plenty of water, which was very important in the desert. The book Historic Spots in California describes Kelso. It says the Kelso Depot is a beautiful Spanish-style building. It was built around 1906 and has shade trees. This was a rare and welcome sight in the hot desert.
Contents
Kelso's Story
Kelso started as a simple train depot. In the 1920s, it began to grow. The town really boomed in the 1940s. Its population reached about 2,000 people. This happened when borax and iron mines opened nearby. Gold and silver were also found in the hills. This area became known as the Kelso district. However, the town shrank again after about ten years. This was because the mines closed down.
A Busy Railroad Town
Kelso was a key spot for the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. This railroad connected to the Union Pacific Railroad. It also linked to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to the south. Trains would stop in Kelso for water. Also, extra "helper" locomotives were added there. These helped the regular trains climb the steep Cima Hill.
The distance between Las Vegas and Daggett was very long. Trains often needed a meal stop. Kelso was the perfect place for a restaurant.
The Famous Kelso Depot
The main depot building was built in 1923. It was designed in a Spanish "California mission" style. Inside, it had rooms for railroad employees to stay. There was also a restaurant for both employees and passengers. It even had a telegraph office and a waiting room.
Later, the restaurant became known as the "Beanery." It served delicious home-style meals. The large rooms in the basement were also used. They served as a community center for the people living in Kelso.
Around 1944, the railroad brought in an old strap-iron jail. It was used to hold people who caused trouble. Today, you can see this old jail on display. It is located just outside the Kelso Depot.
Saving the Depot
The Kelso Depot stayed open until 1986. After it closed, the building started to fall apart. The harsh desert conditions made it worse. By the mid-1990s, the railroad was planning to tear it down. But people who wanted to save old buildings stepped in. They worked hard to protect it.
In 2005, the depot was completely renovated. It became the visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve. The building is currently closed for repairs. It is expected to reopen in the spring of 2023.
Life in Kelso
In the 1970s, Kelso was known as "the town without television." About 75 people lived there, including many school-aged children. Television signals could not reach the town. This meant residents found other ways to have fun. They enjoyed different kinds of recreation. However, with the invention of satellite dishes, television eventually came to Kelso.
The ZIP Code for Kelso is 92309. The community is also within area codes 442 and 760.
The Kelso Mountains are located north of Kelso. The famous Kelso Dunes lie to the southwest. The entire area is part of the beautiful Mojave National Preserve.
Images for kids
-
Kelso railroad depot after repainting.
-
Restored restaurant at depot.
-
Restored telegraph office at depot.
