Kelso, CA.

 

click photo to enlarge		 We have now been to the Kelso Depot 5 times, 2002, 05, 08, 17 and 2020. This time was during the pandemic and the visitors center was closed. The first time we were there the National Park Service was remodeling it to be a visitors center for the Mojave National Preserve. At that time on the other side of the street were some old buildings from the town of Kelso. They have since been torn down as they were in  pretty bad shape.

click photo to enlarge		 Like all National Park visitor centers they have done a wonderful job on it with lots of exhibits on the top floor, the ground floor and also the basement. The depot was originally built by the Union Pacific Railway and was made to compete with the Santa Fe Harvey Houses with a lunch room and hotel accommodations. While they do not serve food because they have no potable water they do have packaged snack foods.

click photo to enlarge