How Barstow, California Got Its Name

Barstow honors William Barstow Strong (1837–1914), a railroad executive who became president of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway. In 1876, as chief engineer of the railroad's western division, he oversaw construction through the Mojave Desert. The division point—critical for water, fuel, and crew changes—was named "Barstow" in his honor. The town incorporated in 1947; today it's a major I-15/I-40 logistics hub.