Kelso, Ghost town in San Bernardino County, US
Kelso is a ghost town in the Mojave Desert, in San Bernardino County, California. Its main structure is the Kelso Depot, a 1924 Spanish Colonial-style railway station that now serves as a visitor center for the Mojave National Preserve.
Kelso began in 1904 as a camp for workers building the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad. The town grew fast during World War II due to activity at the nearby Vulcan Mine, then declined quickly after the mine closed in 1947 and diesel engines replaced steam trains.
The old depot building is a good starting point since it works as a visitor center where you can get your bearings before exploring the grounds. Summer heat in the desert can be very strong, so bring enough water and plan your visit for the morning or the cooler months.
The name Kelso comes from a simple draw: two railroad workers and their friend John Kelso put names in a hat, and his name was pulled. The depot earned the nickname "the town without television" because, even in its busiest years, there was no modern entertainment, yet the community stayed close.
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