Kelso originated as small collection of buildings along the Union Pacific Railroad in the Mojave desert. Located before Cima grade, the station's role was to supply water to the steam engines prior to their arduous 600 meter uphill climb. The name is taken from a railroad worker named John H. Kelso, who won the right to name the town after his name was drawn from a hat.

In 1942, Kelso boomed as the Vulcan Mine, some 15 km. south of Kelso, was opened by the Kaiser Steel Mill. Iron ore was transported by train from Kelso to a mill in Fontana. When the Second World War ended, the mine was closed and Kelso began to decline. As diesel engines replaced steam locomotives, trains no longer stopped for Kelso's water. The station was closed in 1985 and in 1992, the Bureau of Land Management took over the property.

Kelso is 55 km southeast of Baker on Kelbaker Road.

Kelso Depot

Kelso post office

End of the line for the telegraph