Barstow, California was founded in 1888 when the Santa Fe Railroad arrived. Located on the Mojave River, the area had already become a thriving mining center when silver was discovered six miles north in the Calico Mountains in 1882.

Named for the president of the Santa Fe Railroad, William Barstow Strong, Barstow thrived along with the nearby successful mining towns of Daggett and Calico. However, as the silver began to play out in the nearby mines, Daggett and Calico began to die, but Barstow grew as it became a busy rail center. At the turn of the century, rail travel was considered glamorous and in 1911 the Fred Harvey Company opened up the Casa Del Desierto where gourmet cuisine was served on fine china to the many travelers along the rails.

Comfortable, luxurious rooms rested the weary rail travelers as the Harvey Girls served food and provided information. The Harvey House had a reputation for friendliness and hospitality and became the focus not only for travelers but for locals. Barstow's Harvey House was equipped with a full ballroom and was the site for many of the town's dances and social events. At one time, Barstow's main street was right in front of the train station and the Harvey Hotel. However, in the 1920's the Santa Fe Railroad literally bought the whole street a moved it to where it is today. The grand opening for the "new" Main Street was July 4, 1925.

As the automobile began to replace rail travel, Route 66 traveled Barstow's "new" Main Street barrelling straight through the middle of town, and the Harvey House remained a popular stopping point.

However, when the Santa Fe Railroad started serving meals on the trains, the Harvey Houses became shadows of their former selves. The building was then used mainly for a machine shop, with a cafeteria and a small Amtrak ticket office. Before long, the Casa Del Desierto was abandoned altogether. 

In the late 80's, Santa Fe Railway decided to tear down the old Harvey House until an outcry was raised by local citizens and historians. The old building was saved by the City of Barstow and restoration began. The Casa Del Desierto was re-dedicated in 1999 and is now home to the Greyhound and Amtrak stations, several arts groups, the Mother Road Route 66 Museum, and now the Western America Railroad Museum.

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