Barstow sits in the high Mojave Desert of San Bernardino County, roughly midway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas along Interstate 15. It is a genuine crossroads town: two major interstates, a major freight railroad, and the historic alignment of U.S. Route 66 all converge here, and the city has long functioned as a supply and service point for travelers crossing the desert. The community traces its origins to the 1880s, when silver discoveries in the nearby Calico Mountains drew prospectors. The settlement was first known as Fishpond and later Waterman Junction before being renamed in 1886 to honor William Barstow Strong, then president of the Santa Fe Railway. The railroad's decision to make Barstow a division point cemented the town's role as a transportation hub, and the flow of automobiles along Route 66 kept the local economy alive through the middle decades of the twentieth century. Today Barstow's economy is built on transportation, logistics, and the military. The Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow is a major regional employer, and the city functions as a distribution center for goods moving between the ports of Southern California and the interior West. Barstow Community College provides higher education and workforce training for the region, serving students from across the high desert. Life in Barstow is defined by the desert landscape. The city offers affordable living within commuting distance of larger employment centers, and it appeals to people who value open space, clear skies, and direct access to the Mojave's public lands. Residents are accustomed to a slower pace, a strong connection to the region's railroad and Route 66 heritage, and the practical reality of a desert climate with hot summers and cool, clear winters.