Having seen the sign Harvey House on the California State Historical Signs for years, even decades, as I would drive between southern California and Las Vegas, I decided today was the day to investigate. What is Harvey House and why is it a California State Historical Landmark? The Harvey House is at the Barstow Amtrack Station. It is a relic of a time gon by. There were over 80 Harvey Houses between Chicago and Los Angeles. They were train stops to allow travelers a place to sleep and something to eat. In the early days of train travel there were no sleeper or diner cars. The
Trains could stop and get water for the steam engine, wood or coal for the engine, and allow travelers a chance to get a hot meal, during a short stop, or a nights rest during a longer stop. The Harvey House in Barstow was built in 1885, and rebuilt in 1906 following a fire. This particular Harvey House is also called Casa del Deseirto. Once with a very long and curving lunch counter, all that remains of the counter is Continue reading