History

The History of Palm Springs – our town has a diverse and fascinating history that began 10,000 years ago in the Stone Age. It includes the first explorers making their way here in 1853, how the town became established in the early years when the first hotel was established, and the effect World War II had in growing the city to what it is today.

Palm Springs has been established as one of the oldest villages in North America – around 10,000 years ago, in the Stone Age, this area was a community of hunter / gatherers. In more modern times, the area was discovered when Spanish soldiers were looking for new areas to conquer for their homeland. Up to the 19th century, the area was inhabited by the Cahuilla Indians of the Agua Caliente Indian tribe, which still owns much of the land in the Coachella Valley.

The First Palm Springs Explorers
In 1853, a geologist named William Blake discovered the mineral pool that’s located under the hot desert sand. His team established the first wagon route through the San Gorgonio Pass. Later it became a regular stop on the Bradshaw Stage Coach Line. In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad finished construction of a railroad line that went through the desert to encourage expansion. The Indians were allotted the even parcels of land around the railroad, helping create the checker-board type is seen today in the Palm Springs area.

In the late 1800′s, white settlers began to set up residences. Judge John Guthrie McCallum was the first white settler, who built an aqueduct, helping establish farming in the area.

When A City Was Born
The first hotel, aptly named The Palm Springs Hotel, was built in 1886, holding 26 guests. Around 1900 Palm Springs had become a blooming resort town, with a post office, more than a dozen buildings, and even had regular seaonal visitors. In 1913, the first car repair shop was opened up, a school house was built in 1914, and the first newspaper, The Desert Sun, was started in 1927. In 1928, the first major hotel, the El Mirador Hotel, was completed and held up to 300 guests. By 1942, what had become a city now elected its first form of local government.

The War’s Effect on the City
During World War II, General Patton brought troops to the desert to execute a practice invasion of North Africa deserts. The El Mirador Hotel was turned into a hospital for injured troops fresh off the battlefield. Two runways were built to bring in the troops, which brought about the creation of the Palm Springs Airport.

After the war ended, the city returned to its resort status and since 1945 the growth in our humble town has been a phenomenon. The city went from one nine hole golf course to over 85 today. The city sports over 600 tennis courts and more than 10,000 public or private swimming pools.

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