The construction of the El Garces Hotel began in 1906, but after a fire destroyed the original wooden structure, the new building was constructed using concrete. Mojave Indians were the primary labor force, climbing tall ladders to pour cement into molds. The building was completed in 1908 and it was named “El Garces” in honor of Father Francisco Garces, a missionary who visited the area in 1776.  

The El Garces Hotel was designed to serve travelers on the Santa Fe Railroad, with its most ornate side facing the railroad tracks. It also became a venue for community events, such as elegant private dinners, banquets, and special occasions. Located on Old Trails Highway and later Route 66, the El Garces played an important role in local history and served as a prominent stop for travelers along these major roads. 

The El Garces was part of the Fred Harvey chain of hotel restaurants along the Santa Fe Railroad, providing high-quality meals and lodging for railroad passengers. Known as the “Crown Jewel” of the Fred Harvey chain, it was remembered for its luxury service, including real linen, silverware, distinctive china and fresh flowers for guests every day. The food served was of the highest quality and the hotel was staffed by cultured young women known as ‘Harvey Girls’. They were trained in neatness, courtesy and excellent service. They were required to sign a contract not to marry for one year. Many of the Harvey Girls eventually married railroad men. The hotel included rooms for paying guests, a laundry and a bakery. The lunchroom featured two horseshoe-shaped counters that could accommodate many people and the hotel served lunch and dinner. 

Today, the El Garces is owned by the City of Needles, which has invested $10 million into restoring the building. The restoration project, funded by OmniTrans and the FTA, began in 2013 and culminated in the creation of the El Garces Intermodal Facility.  
 
This facility now serves as a hub for Needles Area Transit and Amtrak, with plans for regional transit connections to neighboring providers such as Laughlin Southern Nevada Transit Coalition (SNTC), Bullhead Area Transit System (BATS) and Lake Havasu City Transit Division. The El Garces Intermodal Facility will connect travelers to major employers and tourist destinations within the Tri-State area and Southern California, including Anaheim and Buena Park.  
 
The City of Needles plans to solicit tenants and potential private partners to further develop the remainder of the Depot. The Needles Chamber of Commerce will relocate to the El Garces Depot and continue to serve as an unofficial information center. Visible from Interstate 40, the El Garces Intermodal Facility stands as an architectural icon that promotes tourism and economic development in the region.

The Friends of El Garces community group is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the historic El Garces Intermodal Transportation Facility in Needles, California. El Garces has long been a key part of the area’s history and the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.   

The Friends of El Garces group actively supports the restoration of this landmark and works alongside the City of Needles to provide community input on how best to preserve and enhance the structure. This group collaborates with the Needles Downtown Business Alliance, the Chamber of Commerce and the Needles Economic Development Corporation to ensure the success of the El Garces project. 

For more information or to get involved, visit the Friends of El Garces Facebook page.