Historic Railroad Depot

A Railroad Through the Desert
Kelso Depot seems like an anomaly in the middle of the desert, but for the Union Pacific, it became a thriving... more

by Jim Thompson

Title

Historic Railroad Depot

Artist

Jim Thompson

Medium

Photograph - Photographic Art

Description

A Railroad Through the Desert
Kelso Depot seems like an anomaly in the middle of the desert, but for the Union Pacific, it became a thriving necessity. Since its inception in 1862, the Union Pacific (UP) wanted a foothold on the West Coast. After reaching Portland, Oregon, the UP turned its attention to the rich California markets and the ports around Los Angeles. To get there, it needed to construct a railroad line across the Mojave Desert. Kelso was crucial to reaching that goal.The steep two percent grade that trains had to climb from west of Kelso to Kessler Summit (later renamed Cima) meant that extra �helper engines� would need to be stationed nearby to help them up the grade. Additionally, steam locomotives of the era desperately needed water. Kelso was perfectly situated to fill both roles, since it is located near the bottom of the 2,078 foot grade, and had a reliable water source from a nearby spring in the Providence Mountains.

The first depot at Kelso opened in 1905, followed a few months later by a post office, an engine house and an �eating house� to serve both railroad employees and the passengers on trains without dining cars. The town grew over time, as more employees were needed and more of their families moved to the Mojave Desert to join them.In the early 1920s, the Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad began planning for new depots, restaurants and employee facilities at several towns, including Kelso. Competition with the Santa Fe Railway was tight and rail passengers had become accustomed to their famously stylish Harvey House train stations. Therefore, railroad managers chose to design the new buildings on the Salt Lake Route in the Spanish Mission Revival style. Doing so, Chairman Lovet wrote, would �add very little to the expense but a great deal to the appearance of the place. It is a dreary country and the lack of anything of this sort contrasts very conspicuously with the Santa Fe.�

Civil engineers working for the railroad in Lo

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February 1st, 2014

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