World War II Boomtown -- Mojave National Preserve, Kelso CA - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

The interpretive sign at the Kelso Depot shares the history of this remote railroad town. The sign reads as follows:

"WORLD WAR II BOOMTOWN

During World War II, troops, tanks, and trucks were shipped through Kelso by rail, creating the need for more helper crews and mechanics. Iron ore from Kaiser Steel's nearby Vulcan Mine was located onto freight cars here to be used in the wartime manufacture of steel.

To accommodate workers and their families, the Union Pacific Railroad and Kaiser Steel set up temporary housing at Kelso.

[photo]
Portable houses lined the tracks in Kelso, 1944. Kelso Depot is on the right, concealed by trees.

[photo]
Lester Packard at his store

After Packard died in 1941, his family leased the store and two adjacent houses to a series of other shopkeepers. The family still owns the building, across the street from Kelso Depot.

The Grissom family leased the Packard store and houses during World War II. Madge Grissom and a friend are in front of the house east of the store, which was later burned down."

Group that erected the marker: National Park Service URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: Kelso Depot Mojave National Preserve Kelso, CA

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Date Logged Log   03/08/2016 Benchmark Blasterz visited it