El Garces Hotel — Attraction in Needles

Something really cool and unexpected happened yesterday. If you've been through Needles, CA, you know there isn't much there. However, we have always been drawn to this old building. Yesterday, we decided to check it out. We were perfectly content just exploring the outside. Before we left, we headed across the street to check out the museum. As we looked at all the artifacts, a lovely woman said, "you want to go inside? I know who has the keys?"

Her husband took us over and allowed us to explore inside. He was a well of information on the Needles El Garces, which was an old Harvey house. Sadly, it has been gutted but you can still see some of the past poking through. They are working to try to find a way to restore it and hope it can breathe a little life back into Needles Tourism.

The history behind the building is amazing! We recommend, not only heading to checkout the building, but also going across the street to the museum and asking for a tour. They are more than happy to share a bit of history with you. They regularly rotate the artifacts, so it is like a new experience...

Its the same as the Needles railroad station.. Sure its a shadow of what it once was. but its still there. thThey saved it! The museum across the street is great Buy the history book from them. You know Spike Snoopys brother was from needles. Big history in that town. Indian history..paddle wheelers..Route 66. This had to be a great train station as people traveled by that means. its to detailed to get into here but.. think of the thousands and thousand that stopped here. Steam engines watered and took on fuel and a quick bite drink of coffee..stretch legs or the hotel accommodations. Take some time and stop .

You have to walk around the west end of the building to get on the platform. If city workers are there... .they might give you a quick thank you tour..it was appreciated. I wish they'd let the museum people have a key and be able to give a quick tour..hint. thank you. Needles thanks...

Ok, before getting your hopes up, please understand that this is not a hotel in the usual sense. Only railroad workers may use the second story of this building and the first story is largely unoccupied due to ongoing renovations. The California Transit Dept. occupies one corner office while another room can be rented for social functions and special celebrations. The atmosphere around this place is quiet, cordial and almost deserted except that trains are continuously passing behind the building where the platform is located. This back portion is an active Amtrak station where one may board but not purchase tickets. This building has historic significance only because during 1920s and 1930s, noteworthy movie stars used to travel here to go boating on the Colorado River and so this put the town of...