Caliente Railroad Depot

Community effort breathes new life into historic stop.

Fall/Winter 2026 Issue

BY DANA LEE FRUEND

Caliente has been charming residents and visitors since it was established in 1901. Tucked in a rare meadow in southern Nevada, the town transcended its original purpose as an agricultural hub for nearby mining communities when it became a stop on the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad.

The town thrived as a division point on the railroad until the 1940s when Las Vegas took over that role, but Caliente was here to stay, and the legacy of its railway days lives on at the historic Caliente Railroad Depot.

Aerial photo of Caliente Railroad Depot and Hotel circa 1925 — Caliente Depot and Hotel Circa 1925

From The Ashes

The original wooden train station burned to the ground in 1921. The Union Pacific Railroad (through its Los Angeles & Salt Lake line) soon commissioned a new, larger, and more elegant depot. The new depot was designed by renowned architects John and Donald Parkinson in the visually striking Mission Revival style. Built at a cost of $83,000, the depot wasn’t just a station: It was a statement for progress and the city’s potential as a growing desert resort community.

Completed in 1923, the depot was comprised of a ticket office, passenger waiting area, modern kitchen, and dining room all accented by hardwood floors and brass fixtures. There was even a companion hotel built next door—between the hotel and depot, 50 small rooms awaited weary travelers.

Caliente served as a bustling railroad hub and was a midway point between Los Angeles and Salt Lake City until 1948. Diesel locomotives replaced the steam engines, and the last of the passenger trains ran until 1997. The hotel was torn down in the 1970s, but the iconic station remained.

A Long-Awaited Revival

Today, the depot is one of the defining landmarks of Caliente, and its much-needed renovation was long on the table. This historic building had suffered deterioration, flooding, roof leaks, pigeon infiltrations, and partial patching and remodeling over the years.

In 2018, a plan came together through a variety of state and federal grants and funds, and work began on the first phase. Completed in 2025, the project included restored windows, new exterior stucco, paint, facade work, outdoor fixtures and some landscaping. Always a highlight for photographers, the building is even more beautiful than before.

Inside, visitors will find a new library along with the Caliente Visitors Center. The main floor also houses the City of Caliente office, city council chambers, the Depot Ballroom, and public bathrooms.

The building is a breathtaking reminder of the town’s history and the power of small communities. With limited funds available, volunteers came together to help where help was needed. Caliente Mayor Steve Rowe, his wife Jaylyn, City Councilwoman Betsy Comella, her husband Keith, and Library Board member Diedre Mower—along with other volunteers—organized the old books, removed shelves, replaced carpets and doors, and painted.

Plans for future funding possibilities are underway so future generations can enjoy the beauty and history of the Caliente Railroad Depot.

Caliente-Railroad Depot-volunteers pose for a picture by Dana Lee Fruend — Caliente Depot Core Volunteer Team. Photo by Dana Lee Fruend

Caliente Nevada Boxcar Museum photo by Dana Lee Fruend

The Boxcar Museum

Next door to the Caliente Railroad Depot is the Historic Caliente Boxcar Museum. This museum and its dedicated group of volunteers carry on the legacy of the Caliente Depot through storytelling, tours, and memorabilia of its rich history.