- 36
- 55shares
Harvey House Railroad Depot, also known as the Casa Del Desierto, sits by the railroad tracks in Barstow, California. The Barstow Railroad Depot opened in 1911 as a Santa Fe train station and Harvey House. The historic building is a must-visit for history buffs, railroad enthusiasts, and Route 66 fans, offering a glimpse into early 20th-century travel and desert life. This site is a hidden gem that transports you back to the golden age of rail travel—well worth the detour if you’re road-tripping through California’s desert.
What is a Harvey House?
A Harvey House was a chain of restaurants, hotels, and lunchrooms established by the Fred Harvey Company starting in the 1870s, primarily along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in the American West. Founded by Fred Harvey, an English immigrant, these establishments revolutionized hospitality for rail travelers by offering high-quality food, clean accommodations, and exceptional service in an era when train travel was often uncomfortable and dining options were scarce.
Barstow, California, Harvey House
The Harvey House Railroad Depot, also known as Casa del Desierto (“House of the Desert”), was built in 1911 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in partnership with the Fred Harvey Company. It originally served as a luxurious hotel, restaurant, and train depot for passengers traveling the transcontinental railroad. Barstow’s Harvey House was equipped with a ballroom that train passengers and locals used for dances and social events.
Meals on Trains: The End of Harvey Houses
After Santa Fe started serving meals on trains, Casa Del Desierto declined. Over the years, vandals stole, destroyed, and ransacked much of the station’s interior. In 1988, the Santa Fe Railway decided to tear down the building 1988. Thanks to an effort from locals, historians, and railfans, Santa Fe was persuaded to halt the depot’s demolition. Restoration began in 1990, and the Barstow Harvey House was re-dedicated in 1999.
What to See and Do: Casa Del Desierto
Exterior and Grounds: Wander the elegant facade and surrounding area, where you’ll find historic locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses on display. The building overlooks the Mojave River and railroad tracks, offering excellent photo opportunities of the desert landscape and passing trains.
Western America Railroad Museum (east wing): Features extensive railroad memorabilia, photos, archives, and artifacts from the Western U.S., including details on the Santa Fe line and Harvey Houses. It’s packed with interactive exhibits on train history. Outside is a collection of rail cars, locomotives, rolling stock, and general railroad operating equipment.
Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum (north wing): Showcases photos, souvenirs, and stories of the iconic highway that passes nearby, including Barstow’s role as a key stop.
Main Building and Ballrooms: The lobby and grand ballrooms evoke the opulence of the original hotel era, with high ceilings and ornate details. The building hosts special events like weddings, but you can often peek inside when the doors are open.
Visitor Center: Operated by the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, it provides maps, info on local attractions, and Route 66 guides. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the site’s history.
Getting to Barstow Harvey House
Harvey House Railroad Depot is definitely worth pulling off the freeway to check out. Take Barstow Road north (toward Main Street). Turn left (west) at Main Street, go three blocks, then right (north) on 1st Avenue.
Cross the first bridge over the BNSF rail yards until you get to the Harvey House entrance on your right. Website.
Nearby Points of Interest
Calico Ghost Town
Calico Ghost Town is a historic former silver mining town located in the Calico Mountains of the Mojave Desert, about 10 miles north of Barstow. Today, managed as part of San Bernardino County Regional Parks, it serves as a popular tourist attraction open daily, featuring shops, restaurants, museums, and a narrow-gauge train ride.
Daggett, California
Founded in the late 1800s during California’s silver rush, the area was originally named Calico Junction in 1882 when the Southern Pacific Railroad extended its line to support the nearby silver mines in the Calico Mountains. While Daggett has seen better days, it offers a few interesting sights to explore, including the ruins of the Stone Hotel, Fout’s Garage, and the Daggett Pioneer Cemetery.
Eddie World & Peggy Sue’s Diner
Peggy Sue’s 50’s Diner, located at 35654 Yermo Rd, Yermo, California, is a nostalgic roadside eatery just off Interstate 15, about 10 miles north of Barstow and near Calico Ghost Town, making it a popular stop between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Built in 1954, the diner is adorned with its extensive collection of movie and TV memorabilia, creating a vibrant 1950s atmosphere with pink-and-teal uniforms, a jukebox-shaped entrance, and a Betty Boop statue greeting guests.