Kelso Depot Reopening Page 4

At 2:00 PM the dedication ceremonies began with a Marine Color Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a young woman singing the national anthem. The master of ceremonies was Dennis Schramm, a 20 year veteran of the National Parks Service and the new Superintendent of the Mojave National Preserve. Superintendent Schramm gave some personal backround about how he grew up around Las Vegas in the 1960's and 1970's and eventually received a boilogy degree at UNLV . After working mining properties out in Death Valley, California, he has served the NPS in California, Colorado, Alaska and D.C. According to Supt. Schramm, there are 800 species of plants in the Mojave National Preserve, 5 lava fields with 32 cinder cones. The Mojave National Preserve also features a Joshua Tree forrest on Cima Dome and the 700 foot tall Kelso sand dunes. The Mojave National Preserve was set aside 11-1/2 years ago (1994) and is one of over 390 National Parks. A group of dedicated citizens stepped forward to get the Union Pacific to save the depot. The Union Pacific Railroad was kind enough to sell the depot building for $1after local citizenry convinced them that the history of the railroad was linked to the history of the area. Mojave National Preserve has the fewest number of employees of any National Park.

Another important figure in saving the depot is 15 term U.S. Congressman Jerry Lewis, below right. Representative Lewis mentioned his love for nature and an anecdote about sharing a New York mountain cabin with his retired father. According to Representative Lewis "the railroad was a key factor in the settlement of the west." He added that the "Kelso depot is a beautiful reflection of the past." He was aware that the restaurant went into disrepair and soon may be reopened pending finding an operator.

Schramm then introduced his supervisor Jonathon B. Jarvis, a 30 year NPS veteran in the Western U.S. who stated that "the debate how to manage public lands is healthy." He had visited the deopt in the early 1990's and stated that it was in "bad shape." He further stated the community wanted the restoration to happen and "this piece of American history will shine again" and that the "building is a gift to the future." "Once a stopover for those going through the desert, it is now a stop over for those going to the desert." He then thanked the Native Americans and Congressman Lewis. According to Jarvis, "policy without dollars is just talk." Jarvis thanked the Native Americans community volunteers, County, State and desert managers group and affectionately referred to National Park Service employees as "flat hats." This project was a "gift back to the community" and there was "commitment on National Park Service part to take care of the depot and Mojave." He also mentioned that U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein was instrumental in the depot restoration project. She wanted to be at the reopening day ceremony but could not make it.

Congressman Jerry Lewis stepped in and spoke a few words on behalf of Senator Feinstein. Lewis recounted the story of the naming of the depot where names were put into a hat and the name chosen was of a man who had already left the area. The depot is also near a source of iron ore which was mined and sent to a nearby Kaiser Steel mill to support the WWII effort. That steel was used in Liberty Ships such as the "Lane Victory" which still is afloat in San Pedro and goes out on cruises once a month. Next up was Rob Blair (below right), cowboy poet and local rancher. He recited a poem" My Roots are burried here" for the assembled crowd. Superintendent Schramm then thanked the staff and "borrowed" staff of National Park Service who helped out for the day.

With the conclusion of the speeches, the ribbon was cut and cookies and coffee were served on the east side of the depot. National Park Service rangers seem genuinely excited by the reopening of the depot as the Mojave National Preserve's principal information center.

Kelso Depot Grand Reopening