Palm Springs history

At the Source of the Oasis: The Birth of Palm Springs

The history of Palm Springs begins long before it became a favourite retreat for the Hollywood elite. This desert oasis has deep roots extending into the culture of indigenous peoples and the era of the first American pioneers.

Foundation and First Mentions

For thousands of years, the territory of the modern city was home to the Cahuilla Indians, who called this place Se-Khi ("Boiling Water") due to the natural hot springs. The first European explorers appeared here in the early 19th century, but the modern history of the city began later:

• 1853: A US government expedition mapped the springs and the palm grove, giving the place the name "Palm Springs".
• 1884: Judge John Guthrie McCallum became the first permanent white settler. He arrived here seeking a healing climate for his son, who suffered from tuberculosis.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a desert stopover into a thriving settlement was driven by a unique combination of geography and infrastructure:

• Geography and Climate: Its location in the Coachella Valley, protected by Mount San Jacinto, created a unique microclimate. The dry air and mineral springs attracted people seeking health improvements.
• The Railway: The construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876, which passed a few miles from the springs, opened the region to travellers.
• Water Resources: The presence of underground water and springs allowed McCallum to build irrigation canals, making life in the desert possible.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, the economy of Palm Springs attempted to develop along an agricultural path — the first settlers tried cultivating fruit orchards and vineyards. However, severe droughts and floods adjusted these plans.

A turning point was the opening of The Desert Inn sanatorium in 1909 under the leadership of Nellie Coffman. She transformed the town from a hospital for lung patients into a comfortable, world-class resort. This laid the foundation for a culture of hospitality and relaxation, which in the 1930s caught the attention of film stars from Los Angeles seeking seclusion not far from the studios.

Major Milestones in the History of Palm Springs

The history of the city's development from a small settlement to a world-renowned resort and centre of modernist architecture spans more than a century.

• 1876: The completion of the Southern Pacific Railroad construction near the settlement opened the region to travellers and trade.
• 1909: Nellie Coffman opened the famous "The Desert Inn" sanatorium, beginning the city's transformation from a health clinic to an elite resort.
• 1938: Palm Springs was officially incorporated and received city status, electing its first city council.
• 1942: During World War II, the city became an important strategic site with a large military hospital and airfield.
• 1940s–1950s: The city experienced a construction boom, becoming a "playground" for architects who created the unique style of "Desert Modernism".
• 1963: The grand opening of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway took place, connecting the valley floor with the peak of Mount San Jacinto.
• 1988: Famous singer Sonny Bono was elected mayor of the city, launching a large-scale programme to revitalise the economy and image of the resort.
• 1990: The Palm Springs International Film Festival was founded, quickly acquiring the status of one of the most prestigious film reviews in the USA.
• 1999: A new international airport terminal opened in the city, expanding opportunities for receiving tourists from all over the world.
• 2006: "Modernism Week" was held for the first time, becoming an annual world-class festival of design and architecture.

Stages of Formation and Development of Palm Springs

The development of Palm Springs is a story of the transformation of a secluded oasis into a global centre of architecture and tourism. Several key stages can be highlighted that defined the modern appearance and economy of the city.

• Transformation into "Hollywood's Playground" (1920s–1930s)
  During this period, the city changed its specialisation from a health resort to an elite holiday destination. Thanks to the "two-hour rule" (actors had to be within a two-hour drive of the studios), Palm Springs became the ideal refuge for stars. This attracted the first major investments in luxury hotels and entertainment infrastructure.
• Wartime Urbanisation (1940s)
  World War II provided a powerful impetus for infrastructure development. The construction of a large military airfield (later becoming an international airport) and a hospital laid the foundation for post-war population growth and transport accessibility in the region.
• Mid-Century Modern Architectural Revolution (1950s–1960s)
  The most significant urban planning stage. Architects and developers (for example, the Alexander Construction Co.) built up the city with stylish modernist homes. This formed the unique visual code of Palm Springs and made designer housing accessible to the middle class, turning the city into an open-air museum.
• Economic Influence of the Agua Caliente Tribe (1970s–1990s)
  The unique "checkerboard" land ownership structure, where city plots alternate with Indian reservation lands, became an important economic factor. The tribe's development of its own resorts, spas, and hospitality venues created a powerful second engine for the city's economy, independent of seasonal tourism.
• Downtown Revitalisation and the "Sonny Bono Era" (Late 1980s – 1990s)
  The election of singer Sonny Bono as mayor marked a fight for the city's image. The introduction of strict rules helped move away from the reputation of a place for noisy student parties (Spring Break). The founding of the International Film Festival reoriented the resort towards a cultural and more affluent audience.
• Modern Renaissance and Retro Fashion (2000s – Present)
  The city experienced a rebirth thanks to global interest in the aesthetics of the 1950s. The launch of the Modernism Week festival and the influx of creative youth turned the architectural heritage into a main tourism product, finally ridding Palm Springs of the "retirement resort" stereotype.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of Palm Springs is a unique phenomenon that has turned the city into an open-air museum. Here, the history of urban planning is inextricably linked with the desert climate and the desire to create an ideal environment for relaxation. The city is world-famous for having the highest concentration of buildings in the Mid-Century Modern style, but its appearance was formed in several stages.

The Era of Spanish Colonial Revival (1920s–1930s)

At the beginning of its transformation into a resort, Palm Springs followed the general Californian fashion of that time. Architects were inspired by the historical heritage of Spanish missions, creating a romantic and cosy image of an oasis.

• Style: Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival.
• Characteristic Features: Thick stucco walls (keeping the interior cool), red tile roofs, arched doorways, courtyards with fountains, and wrought-iron details.
• Examples: The historic district of Old Las Palmas, where estates of film stars from that era have been preserved, and the Plaza Theatre building.

The Golden Age: Desert Modernism (1940s–1960s)

After World War II, the city became an experimental ground for innovative architects. They adapted the principles of European modernism (Bauhaus, International Style) to the harsh conditions of the Sonoran Desert, giving rise to a unique direction — Desert Modernism.

• Style: Mid-Century Modern.
• Concept: Blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Houses were designed so that the landscape became part of the interior.
• Characteristic Features:
  • Panoramic floor-to-ceiling glazing.
  • Flat or "butterfly roofs" (V-shaped).
  • Wide roof overhangs for protection from the scorching sun.
  • Use of industrial materials: steel, glass, concrete, and local stone.
  • Open floor plans and swimming pools as the centre of the home's composition.
• Leading Architects: Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, Donald Wexler, William Krisel, E. Stewart Williams.

Urban Planning Features and Mass Development

The uniqueness of Palm Springs lies not only in elite villas but also in affordable housing. In the 1950s, the Alexander Construction Co. revolutionised the market by building entire neighbourhoods of stylish modernist homes for the middle class. This formed the recognisable single-story silhouette of the city spread across the desert, where buildings do not block the views of the San Jacinto Mountains.

Iconic Buildings That Shaped the City's Look

Several architectural masterpieces have become the calling cards of Palm Springs:

• Palm Springs City Hall: A project by Albert Frey, combining monumentality with lightness. Famous for its portico with an opening for a palm tree growing through the roof.
• Former Tramway Gas Station (now the Visitor Center): A building with an iconic hyperbolic roof resembling a soaring wing, welcoming guests at the entrance to the city.
• Kaufmann Desert House: A masterpiece by Richard Neutra that became a style icon thanks to the famous photographs by Slim Aarons.
• Bank of America: A building with rounded forms and powerful sun-shading screens, inspired by the works of Le Corbusier.

Famous Residents and Personalities of Palm Springs

Palm Springs is unique in that its history was written not only by pioneers but also by world celebrities. From the architects who created the unique look of the city to the Hollywood stars who made it their residence — these people are forever linked with the spirit of the desert resort.

Founders and Creators of the City's Image

• Nellie Coffman
  "Mother of Palm Springs", hotelier, and philanthropist.
  It was her vision that turned a modest camp by the springs into a world-class resort. Having founded the legendary The Desert Inn sanatorium in 1909, she tirelessly promoted the city as an ideal place for relaxation, attracting the first tourists and investors here.
• Albert Frey
  Architect, icon of modernism.
  A Swiss architect who brought the principles of Le Corbusier to the Californian desert. He designed key city buildings, including City Hall, the tramway station, and his own famous glass house on the mountainside, defining the architectural style of Palm Springs.

Legends of Show Business and Politics

• Frank Sinatra
  Singer, actor, leader of the "Rat Pack".
  Sinatra's arrival in 1947 and the construction of his Twin Palms estate marked the beginning of Hollywood's golden era in Palm Springs. He made the city synonymous with glamorous parties and a high style of living. A flag with the Jack Daniel’s logo raised above his house famously signalled to friends the start of "happy hour".
• Sonny Bono
  Musician, actor, and 16th Mayor of the city.
  The only pop star to become Mayor of Palm Springs (1988–1992). Bono played a decisive role in the city's economic revival during difficult times, curbed noisy student parties, and founded the International Film Festival, which today attracts top-tier stars.
• Bob Hope
  Comedian, actor, and TV presenter.
  Owner of the most recognisable house in the city — a futuristic mansion shaped like a volcano or mushroom, designed by John Lautner. Hope was an active patron and honorary citizen, whose name graces one of the city's main streets.
• Elvis Presley
  The King of Rock and Roll.
  Although Elvis had several homes, the city is most famous as the location of his honeymoon with Priscilla in 1967. The house they rented ("House of Tomorrow") became a cult landmark and a museum of that era.
• Gene Autry
  "The Singing Cowboy", actor, and businessman.
  Autry did not just live here; he invested in the city, owning the Ocotillo Lodge hotel and the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, which held spring training here. His legacy is preserved in the names of popular tourist trails and districts.