As a Play

You could think of the Mojave Desert as a grand Broadway production—ancient, dramatic, and full of subtle choreography that has played out for millions of years.

view from walker pass

The stage is the geology: immense backdrops of folded mountains, tilted strata, and fault lines painted by time. Volcanic cones serve as spotlight towers, alluvial fans sweep like curtains drawn across the basin floor, and the Mojave River cuts a wandering path like a traveling stagehand moving props between acts.

The set is built from plants, rocks, and the occasional weathered structure. Joshua trees rise like eccentric stage pieces, each with its own pose under the lights. Creosote bushes fill in the ensemble—reliable, understated performers who know every cue. Abandoned mining cabins, ghost towns, and derelict rail ties serve as the props and scenery from earlier acts, remnants left between scenes of prosperity and decline.

The lighting crew is the sun, directing each scene with precision—blinding spotlights at noon, warm amber tones at dusk, and moonlit silver rehearsals after dark. The wind adds the soundtrack, whispering through canyons or howling like a restless audience.

The actors? Coyotes, bighorn sheep, and lizards—all improvising within a script written by climate and time. Even the rain, when it shows up, steals the scene with a brief but powerful soliloquy, transforming everything for one fleeting act before bowing out again for months, sometimes years.

Every performance is different, but the play never closes. The Mojave’s production runs continuously, with geology always holding center stage and life finding its cues wherever it can.

Casa Del Desierto

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History of Casa del Desierto, Harvey House, Barstow, California

Casa del Desierto

The Casa del Desierto in Barstow, California, is a significant landmark with a rich history, symbolizing the Harvey Houses’ bygone era. In partnership with the Santa Fe Railway, Fred Harvey established a chain of Harvey Houses along the railroad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These establishments provided high-quality food and lodging to travelers, revolutionizing railway dining and accommodation in the United States.

The Casa del Desierto, meaning “House of the Desert,” was built in 1911 and is one of the finest examples of the Harvey House establishments. Designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, it reflects the architectural elegance and grandeur intended to attract and serve passengers of the Santa Fe Railway. This particular Harvey House played a crucial role in the development of the American Southwest by providing a luxurious stopover for travelers traversing the vast and arid Mojave Desert.

Throughout its operational years, the Casa del Desierto served as a restaurant and hotel and housed the Barstow railroad depot, a Harvey Company retail store, and a telegraph office. It was a vital part of the community and a hub of activity, embodying the spirit of hospitality and the cultural exchange between the East and West.

However, with the decline of railway travel and the rise of automobile transportation, the demand for Harvey House services diminished. The Casa del Desierto closed its doors in the late 20th century and fell into disrepair. Recognizing its historical and architectural significance, efforts were made to preserve and restore the building.

Today, the Casa del Desierto has been repurposed and houses the Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce, the Western America Railroad Museum, and the Route 66 “Mother Road” Museum. It stands as a testament to the vision of Fred Harvey and the importance of the Harvey Houses in American history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring its preservation for future generations to appreciate the legacy of the Harvey Houses and their impact on travel and culture in the American Southwest.