The Urinals of Kelso Depot

Kelso Depot "is located in the Mojave National Preserve in southern California."

Filed under: Parks
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RCW took this photo. He writes: "Kelso Depot is located in the Mojave National Preserve in southern California, southeast of Baker and roughly halfway between Interstates 15 and 40. The Depot opened in 1924 as the Kelso Clubhouse and Restaurant. It served as a remote waystation for steam engine trains on the Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (later a part of Union Pacific) and was designed to compete with other railroad traveler amenities such as the Harvey Houses on the Santa Fe lines. In addition, it provided boarding to railroad crews and a telegraph station. By the 1940s mining booms had increased the local population to about 2,000, but as mining ended and modern diesel trains, which were more self contained and required less support, replaced the older engines, the depot was no longer needed. It ceased function as a rail depot in 1962 and was shut completely in 1985. Concerned citizens were, however, able to avert demolition and began to preserve and restore the facility. The designation of the Mojave National Preserve in 1994 provided additional impetus to the project and in 2005 Kelso Depot was reopened to the public as a National Preserve Visitor Center. In additional to supplying information about the Preserve visitors can tour the depot to view historical displays and rooms furnished as they were during the early days of depot operation.

These modern urinals (almost certainly not original to the facility) are found downstairs inside the depot. The stainless steel urinals can be found in the mens restrooms provided at the visitor parking lot."