The Rich, Vibrant History of Palm Springs, CA

Have you ever wondered how Palm Springs became an international vacation destination? The city has a rich and vibrant history dating back to 10,000 years ago. Evidence of an ancient Indian tribe was discovered unearthing bows, arrows and baskets that make Palm Springs one of the oldest settlements on the continent. The tribe survived on the land for a thousand years in the middle of the desert. It was inhabited by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians for the last thousand years, before any settler set foot in the desert. But it was a mineral spring that truly started the story of the Palm Springs known today.

It all started when a geologist named William Blake was exploring the region in 1853. He discovered a mineral spring situated between to bunches of palm trees. He and his team were excited at the find of water in the desert and established a route for wagons coming through the area. This route soon helped establish the Bradshaw stage Coach Line and ended up becoming a part of a railroad line by the famous Southern Pacific Railroad. As more visitors were able to see the beauty of this desert area, a town began to bloom.

As people heard about the area, the first hotel in 1886 was built. The Palm Springs Hotel (aptly named) held a measly 26 guests, but it began the trend that Palm Springs has developed into a multi-billion dollar industry. In the early 1900's, the town grew to support the construction of the town's first post office, school and a larger hotel, the El Mirador that held a whopping 300 guests! In 1936, the town had grown enough to initiate the formation of a committee to incorporate into a city. A city was born with the help of its first mayor, Philip Boyd, a capable businessman and committee member who helped the city get on its financial feet. The city continued to grow, flourishing as a vacation spot until World War II. During the war, the El Mirador Hotel was turned into a hospital for the military and an airport was built to accommodate the planes of injured soldiers arriving and returning to service.

In the early forties, the area incorporated into a city and elected its first local government, making it official. The desert rest stop had become a city full of promise. During World War II, the U.S. government asked for the city to do its part. General George Patton brought troops into the area, taking over the El Mirador hotel and turning it into an army hospital. This influx of troops coming in and out of Palm Springs brought the construction of the Palm Springs Airport to accommodate the takeoff and landing of a vital military force. The airport still stands today and has grown into taking on international flights from around the world, bringing even more vacationers from all across the globe. As the war ended, the sixties and seventies brought the best of Hollywood's stars, who turned the town into their vacation playground. The eighties showed a huge influx of retirees who found the warm dry climate appealing.

Palm Springs now offers over 300 world-class golf courses hosting major tournaments. There are hundreds of lodging establishments from motel to hotels, and vacation rental homes have become a booming industry for comfort and style while traveling here. The Indian Tribes have established gaming as a major attraction for gamblers and folks coming just for the world-class entertainment. The city features a variety of outdoor entertainment including balloon rides, hiking and motor biking and of course, sunbathing under the desert sun! This international vacation destination brings pleasure to visitors from all parts of the world wanting fun in the sun shining 362 days of the year. They come for the fun and many travelers end up making this city their home.

Read Kevins Palm Springs Visitors Guide or view his Vacation Rentals in Palm Springs here.