More than 2,000 years ago, the Mojave Desert had been occupied by Indian tribes who lived beside the immense lakes that covered most of the Mojave. In the late 1800s, the Barstow area became a mining center. Daggett, 5 miles down river, was founded in the 1860s. It was originally called Calico Junction but was renamed after California Lieutenant Governor John Daggett when silver was discovered 6 miles north in the Calico Mountains in 1882.

The finding of silver in Calico and the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad from Mojave to Daggett in 1882 made the area a mining center. The famous 20-mule teams came into being when 10 teams were hitched together with two wagons and a water wagon to haul ore from Daggett to the town of Calico.

The Calico Railroad (later called the Daggett-Calico Railroad) started hauling ore from Calico to the Oro Grande Milling Company, across the river from Daggett in 1888. That same year, the Santa Fe Railroad arrived in town. The town was later named after the president of the Santa Fe, William Barstow Strong. The mine shut down in 1896 when all the silver had played out.

But in 1883, the borax rush hit Calico, and by 1902, three borax mines employing 200 men supported Daggett. It is estimated that borax taken from the Calico Hills amounted to more than $9 million, while more than $90 million in silver was removed. As the 20th century progressed, Calico and Daggett diminished while Barstow grew. It became a busy rail center and a jumping off place for immigrants entering the state on US Route 66, as made famous by John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath." Modern and historic facilities are still available along Barstow's Main Street, the original Route 66. Just off Main Street, at First Street, travelers can drive over an old iron bridge that leads to the railroad depot once the site of the historic Harvey House, originally opened in 1911.

With the construction of the modern Interstate Highway system Barstow's future of growth was assured, as I-40 and I-15 converged at the city limits with State Highway 58, making it the transportation hub of the western Mojave Desert.

Barstow Historical Timeline

1800s

Waterman Junction Post Office changed there name to Barstow Post Office effectively naming the new town after William Barstow Strong, President of the Santa Fe Railroad, January 15, 1886

1910s

Modern Harvey House opened, 1911

Barstow High School first established in a home near corner of First and Williams Streets, September 15, 1915

First Barstow Branch Library started as part of the Barstow High School, 1916

Hillside Apartments, on the end of Cottage Street first unit built 1917. Longest continuing running business in Barstow

1920s

Grand opening “of our newly rebuilt city” after business district was moved from in front of the Harvey House in between the railroad tracks to where Old Town Barstow is today, July 4, 1925.

Route 66 Established, 1926

Barstow International Airport opened, one of the first national airports. The site near Lenwood Road and National Trails Highway was chosen by Charles Lindburgh for TAT (later TWA) airline, October 1, 1929

1930s

First Street Bridge opened, April 26, 1930

Beacon Tavern (hotel) opened in 1930 delayed due to the stock market crash of 1929

Southwest Gas established, 1931

First Mardi Gras Parade, October 31, 1932

Modern Barstow High School opened, September 1938

1940s

Mojave Anti Aircraft Range (later Camp Irwin) established, 1940

Harry Partch, avant garde composer and hobo, hitchhiked through Barstow and is inspired to write his seminal work, Barstow-Eight Hitchhiker Inscriptions, February 1940

Marine Corps Logistics Base Established, December 28, 1942

Lee Berry Founded Slash X Ranch, 1942

Victory Homes Established, 1943

Brunner's Tiny Time Shop "The Worlds Smallest Store" opened, 1946

Barstow High School's award-winning and Rose Bowl attending marching band started, 1947

City of Barstow incorporated, 1947

Griego's Market, later became Rosita's Restaurant, began 1948

Barstow Park & Recreation District formed

 

1950s

Brubaker Mann established, June 6, 1950

Idle Spurs Restaurant opened, 1955

Printer Review became Desert Dispatch 1958

Franchise to Southern California Water

Barstow Community Hospital opened at new location (left Williams Street) — June 9, 1957, only to close on July 25 due to lack of funds. It will open for good on January 15, 1958

Pioneer Antenna at Goldstone is put into service, October 1958

1960s

Barstow College welcomes students, April 1 (first classes held at Barstow High School), 1960. First classes at modern college location, February 1964

Camp Irwin became Fort Irwin, 1961

Henderson Pool at Fogelsong Park opened, 1961

First American Field Service exchange students, Nimet Unsal and Poul Christofferson arrived, August 15, 1963

I-15/I-40 Interchange construction project Began

Mojave River Valley Museum built with donated funds, April 26, 1968

City Hall/Police Department built

Calico Ghost Town donated to San Bernardino County from Knotts Family, October 1966

First female Mayor (Ida Pleasant)

Waste water facility built

Mt. St. Joseph Church built at Mountain View location, 1966

Harvey House closed

Kennedy High School Built

Sun & Sky Golf Course Built

H&E Home Center Built

Tore Down Santa Fe Round House

1970s

Fort Irwin Deactivated Used as National Guard Training Center from 1972-79

Del Taco opened on First Avenue, Feb 22, 1972

California Highway Patrol office built

Court House built

Barstow Mall open

Established transit system

Desert Discovery Center built

Santa Fe Hump Yard built (Biggest West of Mississippi)

Yellow Freight located in Barstow

Redevelopment Agency established

New Fire Station built on Barstow Rd.

City Corporation Yard moved from Portales Ct. to Avenue H

Vineyard modern library opened, 1974

Rudy Lara heart transplant telethon gave Barstow “Little City with a Big Heart” name

Fort Irwin reactivated as the National Training Center, August 1979

1980s

Sewer line/water line extended to Lenwood Rd.

Al Vigil indoor pool built

Mercado Mall constructed

McDonald’s at Barstow Station burned

First modern general plan

Barstow Station Too opened

Desert Manna homeless shelter established

Downtown beautification project

Mojave River adjudication finalized

Mojave Water Agency pipeline started

Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark open

1990s

California Veteran’s Home, Barstow, open, February 1996

Highway 58 interchange (new section) open

Harvey House rededicated, 1999

2000s

The Route 66 "Mother Road" Museum was dedicated, July 4, 2000

Western America Railroad Museum opened, February 17, 2001

First Congregational Church celebrated their Centennial, June 4, 2001

Barstow's First Juneteenth Celebration, June 22, 2002

LNG/CNG fueling station opens, October 2005

Barstow Enterprise Zone designated by State of California, November 2005

Home Depot opens, October 2006

Barstow Skate Park opens, summer 2007

Barstow Police Department hires first female Police Chief, summer 2007

Tanger Mall expansion complete, 2008

Barstow’s first large scale wind turbine began operation.

Plans for MagLev from Anaheim to Las Vegas to stop in Barstow.

Plans finalized for new Barstow Community Hospital, scheduled to open in 2012.

 

2010s

 January 2010 The Harvey House celebrates 100 years of being in service.

February 2010 Henderson and Cameron Elementary schools receive statewide Academic Achievement Awards.

July 2010 Desert Dispatch celebrates 100^th anniversary.

October 2010 Ivanpahs Solar Project breaks ground.

September 2010 Groundbreaking for Barstow Community Hospital takes place.

November 2010 City assumes Barstow Fire Protection District.

May 2011 Barstow Community College celebrates 50^th commencement ceremony.

May 2012 Ft. Irwin breaks ground for new $400 Million Hospital project.

October 2012 Barstow Community College pairs with Park University offering Bachelors and Masters Degree programs.

New Barstow Community Hospital opens its doors.

Skyline Drive-In hosts Music and Art tour, with popular performers including Beck.

Barstow unveils 180 banners honoring local veterans throughout the city.

December 2013 The Spanish Trail Specific Plan is approved by city council for new large-scale shopping center in Barstow.

2014 Lenwood Grade Separation Groundbreaking.

 

2014 Panera Bread Groundbreaking ceremony.