Cadiz, California

 ghost town, historic ruins

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Established in 1883 as a station on the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad. This route now belongs to BNSF. Named for Cadiz, Spain and is one of the many exotically named station names along this route.

Originally, Cadiz was a siding with four section houses built by the Southern Pacific. Cadiz rose in prominence when the ATSF Parker Cutoff was connected to the main track at Cadiz on July 1, 1910. Prior to that time, water was imported from Newberry Spring. In August 1910, a well was drilled at Cadiz. Tamarisk trees, planted on either side of the
tracks, served as a windbreak and helped control drifting sand.

The population of Cadiz was never large, but at least at one point included 50 residents. Residents consisted of railroad workers and their families. In the 1940s and 1950s, Frank McConnell served as the Santa Fe telegrapher and depot agent at Cadiz. Trains passing through would have a three hour layover in Cadiz. No tourist facilities were available, so Mr. McConnell sold candy bars and bottled soda from an ice chest at the depot.

The depot at Cadiz was an important stop for the Santa Fe railroad until the 1950s. Almost all trains stopped to refuel or take on water, and all freight trains were inspected at Cadiz. It was closed in 1967.

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