Railroads have been an important part of the Mojave desert for over a century. Kelso Depot was built in 1924 to supply the steam locomotives of the day with badly-needed water for their boilers. There are reliable springs nearby, something that's valuable as gold in the desert.
Kelso Depot wasn't needed as badly when diesel-electric locomotives came into use. Its prominence gradually faded until in 1985, railway officials decided to raze the building.
Interested parties objected to the loss of the building. Today, the depot looks better than new. It is the visitor's center for the Mojave National Preserve. There's a lunch counter inside, as well as displays, a gift shop, and Rangers on staff to answer questions and provide information.
Trains don't stop here anymore, but they definitely rumble past. Several sets of tracks run next to the depot, and a freight train thundered through while we were there.