Barstow, city (1990 pop. 21,472), San Bernardino co., SE Calif., 55 mi/89 km NNE of San Bernardino, on the dry Mojave R. in Mojave Desert; 34°53'N 117°04'W. RR center and junction. Mfg. (aircraft, printing and publishing, consumer goods, medical equip.). RR shops, the Goldstone space tracking station are major employers. Edwards Air Force Base is c.50 mi/80 km W; Fort Irwin Military Reserve is c.35 mi/56 km NE; China L. Naval Weapons Center is c.60 mi/97 km NW; Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base is c.50 mi/80 km SE. Barstow is an embarkation point for trips into Death Valley c.100 mi/161 km to N. Barstow Col. Calico Ghost Town to E. Founded in the 1880s as a silver-mining town. Inc. 1947.
