Enjoy the stories that share the vibrant past of Palm Springs. Discover the visionaries and spirited people who helped form this desert oasis. The colorful people who lived and played here.

In partnership with the Desert Sun. Part of the USA Today Network. Copyright © 2019, The Desert Sun. All rights reserved.

Texas to Palm Springs with Sinatra, The Beatles along the way

Desert Sun - January 19, 2025
By Tracy Conrad

trini-lopez-beatles

E. Stewart Williams and the beauty of the Koerner house

Desert Sun - January 5, 2025
By Tracy Conrad

E. Stewart Williams Koerner House

Late-night New Year merrymaking back in the day

Desert Sun - December 29, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

 

bing-crosby-new-year's-eve-1939

 

Frank Capra's 'Wonderful Life' in the Coachella Valley

Desert Sun - December 22, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

frank-capra's-wonderful-life-in-the-coachella-valley

The miraculous formation of the Anza-Borrego State Park

Desert Sun - December 15, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

anza-borrego-state-park-1921

Sandpiper Gardens, a mid-century modern gem in Indian Wells

Desert Sun - December 8, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

sandpiper-gardens

 

 

How restaurateur Paul Di Amico helped shape Palm Springs

Desert Sun - December 01, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

paul-di-amico

 

Oscar Levant and his association with Gershwin, Palm Springs

Desert Sun - November 17, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

oscar-levant-gershwin-palm-springs

Veterans Day and its ties to the desert

Desert Sun - November 10, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

 

veterans-day-palm-springs

 

 

The star filled history of Owen B. Coffman All Wars Memorial Building

Desert Sun - November 3, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

american legion - owen-b-coffman

Los Compadres synonymous with friendship, barbecue

Desert Sun - October 27, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

los-compadres-bbq

 


Why Via Lola is known as 'Millionaire's Row'

Desert Sun - October 20, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

via lola millionaire's row

How did Palm Springs get a high school?

Desert Sun - October 13, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Springs High School

Affordable housing in Palm Springs an issue for decades

Desert Sun - October 6, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

affordable housing in palm springs - frank bogert 

Doris Day enjoyed 'Pillow Talk' in the desert

Desert Sun - September 29, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Doris Day

Human Relations Committee created in the mid-1960s

Desert Sun - September 22, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Rabbi-Horowitz=Frank- Bogert-Human-relations-committee

Artist Agnes Pelton found her life in 1930s Cathedral City

Desert Sun - September 15, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Agnes Pelton

 

 

Paulette Goddard, Charlie Chaplin and George Gershwin

Desert Sun - September 8, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin and George Gershwin

 

 

Gene Autry: The history of 'Back in the Saddle Again'

Desert Sun - September 1, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Gene Autry Back in the saddle again

History: The John Porter Clark house

Desert Sun - Aug 25, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

John Porter Clark house

Frey's beginnings, as his exhibition comes to an end

Desert Sun - Aug 18, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

Albert Frey 1940 house

 

Early photos of every-day life in the Coachella Valley

Desert Sun - Aug 11, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

Pomona First Federal Savings Bank

 

 

 

The 'hidden' rock houses, other handmade structures across the desert

Desert Sun - Aug 4, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

 

rock houses

 

 


When Marcel Breuer (and Europe) meets the desert

Desert Sun - July 28, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

Marcel Breuer

 

 

Lukens Gaut saw desert as a 'wonderland creation'

Desert Sun - July 21, 2024
By Luke Leuschner for Tracy Conrad

Helen Lukens Gaut

Palm Springs history in a nutshell: From Cahuilla people to modern day

Desert Sun - July 14, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

early Cahuilla encampment

 

A highway's history

Desert Sun - July 7, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

 

Palms to Pines Highway

 

 

Alexander House in Palm Springs, this one by Walter S. White

Desert Sun - June 30, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Franz Alexander house by Walter S. White 

'The Deserts of California" inspires awe, hope for arid land

Desert Sun - June 23, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Obi Kaufmann book available at heydaybooks.com
Obi Kaufmann - The Deserts of California

Jack Benny's long history in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - June 16, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Jack Benny in Palm Springs

Difficult times in the center of town

Desert Sun - June 9, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

section 14 difficult times land leases

 

Tough times in 1960s

Desert Sun - June 2, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Section 14 - 1960s

Einstein, Lubitsch went from Germany to Palm Springs paradise

Desert Sun - May 26, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Einstein, Lubitsch

Bud Graves sparkled plenty in mid-century Palm Springs Villager

Desert Sun - May 19, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Bud Graves

Charles Lindbergh's 'firsts' included one in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - May 12, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Charles Lindbergh 

Condos come to Palm Springs with Country Club Estates

Desert Sun - May 5, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Country Club Estates

Palm Springs gadfly Frank Tysen's wild ride might surprise you

Desert Sun - April 28, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Frank Tysen

James Baldwin's civil rights and poetry in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - April 14, 2024
By Tracy Conrad
James Baldwin

Section 14, civil rights lawyer Loren Miller and his son

Desert Sun - April 07, 2024
By Tracy Conrad
section 14 lawyer loren miller

Bogert's Thunderbird

Desert Sun - March 31, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Thunderbird beginnings

Truman Capote's party scene in Palm Springs 

Desert Sun - March 24, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

truman capote party scene in palm springs

Love and Marriage - Hollywood stars who tied the knot in the desert

Desert Sun - March 17, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

 

frank sinatra ava gardner

 

 

From Hollywood to the desert, Montie Montana roped 'em in

Desert Sun - March 10, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Montie Montana

Leading men followed Chandler's Marlowe to Palm Springs

Desert Sun - March 03, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Humphrey Bogart - George Montgomery - Robert Mitchum

Modernism, Albert Frey celebrated in museum exhibit

Desert Sun - February 25, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Albert Frey

Edith Head designed clothes for the mid-century aesthetic

Desert Sun - February 18, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Edith Head

Framk Bogert's Navy service, from Pilot to photographer

Desert Sun - February 11, 2024
By Tracy Conrad

Frank Bogert Navy Pilot

The vision, engineering that made Palm Springs tram possible

Desert Sun - October 8, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

palm springs tram

Coffman invented the notion of a destination resort

Desert Sun - September 24, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Nellie Coffman destination resort Desert Inn

Faith healer caused a national stir in 1940s 

Desert Sun - September 24, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Avak Hagopian in Palm Springs 1947

 

 

Community fetes St. Theresa's 75th anniversary with style

Desert Sun - September 17, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

St. Theresa church 75th anniversary

Blackenhorn/Gilmore house recommended for historic designation in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - September 10, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Blackenhorn Gilmore house

Palm Springs has struggled to provide affordable housing

Desert Sun - September 03, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

the springs hotel and apartments

Stormy weather in the dry desert over the decades

Desert Sun - August 27, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

stormy weather in the desert through the decades

Housing development Bel Vista's recipe for a healthy, happy life

Desert Sun - August 20, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

bel vista development

 

How Prop 14, 14th Amendment, Section 14 intersect

Desert Sun - August 6, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Prop 14, 14th Amendment, Section 14, Palm Springs

 

 

Arenas led fight for control of half the land

 

Desert Sun - July 30, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Lee_Marian_Arenas

Visionary developer Bill Bone pioneered local housing 

 

Desert Sun - July 23, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Bill and Uta Bone

I-10, air conditioning, enambled growth, health care services

Desert Sun - July 16, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

frank sinatra, dean martin, sammy davis jr, sing

Destroyed Neutra-designed home haunts preservationists

 

Desert Sun - July 9, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Richard Neutra

Prop R provided 'gobs of money' to fund recreation opportunities

 

Desert Sun - July 2, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Prop R recreation

The towering history of Mt. Rubidoux near Riverside

 

Desert Sun - June 25, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Mt. Rubidoux

Ansel Adams, Axel Linus shared reverence for desert landscape

 

Desert Sun - June 18, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Ansel Adams and Axel Linus

Albert Frey enjoyed the wild, wide-opened spaces

 

Desert Sun - June 11, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Albert Frey open spaces

Photos have always been a part of the deserts' social media

 

Desert Sun - June 4, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

photos always social media 

History: A mystery at the 1937 Desert Circus parade

 

Desert Sun - May 28, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Nellie at Desert Circus 1937

Business Women promoted downtown benches and more

 

Desert Sun - May 21, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Business Women's Club

At 90, Vera Prieto defines happiness with gratitude

 

Desert Sun - May 14, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Vera Prieto

Land leasing in Palm Springs achieved after decades of work by tribe

 

Desert Sun - May 07, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

tribal_council

 

History of equalization of land by members of Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

 

Desert Sun - April 30, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

section 14 1960

History: Adults started wearing shorts in Palm Springs in 30s

 

Desert Sun - April 23, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Bullocks Department Store in Palm Springs circa 1950s


History: The Sinatras, and a royal Easter in Cathedral City

 

Desert Sun - April 16, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Grace_Kelly_Prince_Ranier_Royal_family

History: Developers stamped modern home neighborhoods throughout desert

 

Desert Sun - April 9, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Enchanted Village

Cartoonist Jimmy Swinnerton found new life in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - April 2, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Jimmy_Swinnerton

History: Artist Agnes Pelton and her spiritual awakening in Cathedral City

 

Desert Sun - March 26, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Agnes Pelton

'Deplorable' conditions plagued Section 14 from the 1930s

 

Desert Sun - March 19, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

section 14

Remembering NY Mayor Walker's 1931 desert vacation

 

Desert Sun - March 12, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

NY Mayor Jimmy Walker

Preserved Spanish architecture shows best of human potential, possibilities

 

Desert Sun - March 5, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

El Mirador Hotel Palm Springs, CA

Happy trails, birthday to Jane Lykken Hoff, 103

 

Desert Sun - February 26, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Jane_Lykken_Hoff

Pearl McCallum influenced desert's architecture

 

Desert Sun - February 19, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Pearl McCallum

Architect Tanner was force in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - February 12, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Inn - architect Tanner was force in desert

1950s jazz trio's instruments to be reunited

 

Desert Sun - February 5, 2023
By Tracy Conrad


the poll winners jazz trio

Columnists chronicled society and celebrity in the desert

 

Desert Sun - January 29, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Hildy Crawford

 

History: Bank founder's Palm Springs roots 

 

Desert Sun - January 23, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

Amadeo Pietro Giannini_bank_of_italy_bank_of_america

Shumway discovered, recorded elfin forests

 

Desert Sun - January 15, 2023
By Tracy Conrad

steve_nina_shumway

Nugget Gene barely survived search for gold

 

Desert Sun - January 8, 2023
By Tracy Conrad  

George Wheeler Nugget Gene

Burro train offered pleasant rides into canyons

 

Desert Sun - January 1, 2023
By Tracy Conrad  

burro trains

Tree tradition grew with the community

 

Desert Sun - December 25, 2022
By Tracy Conrad  

Community Church tree tradition

Stylish 'girl' Helen Dettweiler easily kept up with 'the men'

 

Desert Sun - December 25, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Helen Dettweiler

 

Ringwald introduced honest journalism to the desert

 

Desert Sun - December 11, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

George Ringwald

 

 

History: Saund was democracy in practice

 

Desert Sun - November 13, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Dalip Singh Saund with Frank Bogert

 

History: Indian land development spanned 20th century

 

Desert Sun - November 6, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Indian Land Development

Palm Springs' 'golden' checkerboard has long history

 

Desert Sun - October 30, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

section 14 palm springs

 

Clever historians solve hotel design mystery

 

Desert Sun - October 16, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Monkey Tree Hotel

Harry Chaddick left rich development legacy

 

Desert Sun - October 9, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Harry Chaddick land developer

Hollywood at Home here over the decades

 

Desert Sun - October 2, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

House of Tomorrow pool side

The rise and fall of Apple Valley's Hilltop House

 

Desert Sun - September 25, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Apple Valley Hilltop House

Indio's school bell to shine again as symbol

 

Desert Sun - September 18, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Indio bell Chuck King

 

Two letters decades apart connect Queen Elizabeth II to the desert

 

Desert Sun - Sep 11, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Queen Elizabeth

 

Chef began grand traditions at desert hotel

 

Desert Sun - Sep 4, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Werner Futterer

 

Marian Henderson made the desert sparkling clean

 

Desert Sun - Aug 28, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Marian Henderson

 

 

Disneyland in the Thousand Palms desert?

 

Desert Sun - Aug 21, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Paul Wilhelm

 

Thousand Palms Oasis preserved by a poet

 

Desert Sun - Aug 14, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Thousand Palms Oasis

The road to the rise and demise of Edom

 

Desert Sun - August 07, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Edom

 

Arthur Newman's sage advice, good deeds benefited desert

 

Desert Sun - July 31, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Arthur Newman

Paul Grimm painted landscapes majestically

 

Desert Sun - July 24, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Paul Grimm

Rozene Supple created cultural Camelot for desert community

Desert Sun - July 17, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Rozene Supple Camelot

Rozene Supple obituary

Rozene Supple, Palm Springs philanthropist and desert radio empire founder, dies at 97

Authentic cowboy Gary Cooper was also a desert farmer

 

Desert Sun - July 10, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Gary Cooper

The quiet desert life of Betsy Drake and Cary Grant

 

Desert Sun - July 3, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Betsy Drake and Cary Grant

John Byers' authentic design was desert home to Cary Grant

 

Desert Sun - June  26, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

John Byers

'Desert Living' at its best, explained and explored

 

Desert Sun - June 19, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Living Ralph Hancock

Despite efforts, Joshua trees are in need of protection

 

Desert Sun - June 5, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Joshua Trees

On Memorial Day, it's fitting to thank Bob Hope

 

Desert Sun - May 29, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Bob Hope USO Thank for the Memory

Amado Salinas serves desert in tradition of heroic father

 

Desert Sun - May 22, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Amado Salinas

Shearer, French instrumental in desert golf, politics

 

Desert Sun - May 15, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

BF Shearer

 

Plaza Theatre offered the best in architecture and entertainment

 

Desert Sun - May 8, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Plaza Theatre

The Road to First-Class - Rancho Mirage's post office

 

Desert Sun - May 1, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Rancho Mirage Post Office

Intrepid Mac and Ruth Blackenhorn invented Rancho Mirage

 

Desert Sun - April 24, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Blankenhorns Rancho Mirage

Easter in the desert always included fabulous hats

 

Desert Sun - April 17, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Easter hats

Exquisite Abernathy House was center of music, art

 

Desert Sun - April 10, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Abernathy House

 

Glamorous Kaptur captured modern desert life 

 

Desert Sun - April 3, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Helen Dzo Dzo Kaptur

Lucy and Desi made great publicity for desert living

 

Desert Sun - Mar 27, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Frank Bogert with Lucille Ball

 

Oranges and the Garden of Eden - B.B. Barney in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - Mar 20, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

oranges B.B. Barney

Honoring the intrepid women who built Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - Mar 13, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Palm Springs Women

 

 

The divine desert architecture of Walter S White

 

Desert Sun - Mar 6, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Walter S White architecture

 

Bullock's was a special shopping experience

 

Desert Sun - Feb 27, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Bullock's Palm Springs

Rudolph Schindler's strange and varied clients in the desert

 

Desert Sun - Feb 20, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Rudolph Schindler 

Rock Houses, Millers and Munchkins

 

Desert Sun - Feb 13, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Lee Miller Rock Houses

Exhibit celebrates designer for the masses

 

Desert Sun - Jan 30, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Vera Neumann 

The Oasis Hotel was a glorious garden paradise

 

Desert Sun - Jan 30, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Oasis Hotel

 

 

Hidden Treaty robbed Indigenous people of their lands

 

Desert Sun - Jan 23, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Hidden Treaty Temecula

The Limelight focused on local happenings

 

Desert Sun - Jan 16, 2022
By Tracy Conrad  

Priscilla and John Chaffey

'Mr. Golf' Milt Hicks was integral to desert growth and development

 

Desert Sun - Jan 9, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Milt Hicks 'Mr. Golf'

No surprises with Holiday Inn in the desert

 

Desert Sun - Jan 2, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Holiday Inn

 


Crosby, Christmas inseparable from the desert

 

Desert Sun - Dec 26, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Crosby Christmas

 

Little known history of the Bradshaw Trail

 

Desert Sun - Dec 19, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Bradshaw Trail

 

Intrepid Miss Marble made Palm Springs home

 

Desert Sun - Dec 12, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Alice Marble

Ancient well site has many incarnations

 

Desert Sun - Nov 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Point Happy - Kavinish

Ex-exec found solace in Desert Hot Springs

 

Desert Sun - Nov 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Harry Bennett

Fictional mobster tales are eerily plausible

 

Desert Sun - Nov 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

dunes club cathedral city

Legendary outlaw's tragic story persists

 

Desert Sun - Nov 07, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Willie Boy

Cowboy culture inspires Los Compadres

 

Desert Sun - Oct 31, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Los Compadres Club

Venturi and Sinatra resilient in the desert 

 

Desert Sun - Oct 24, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Ken Venturi

 

Little known architectural details were his passion 

 

Desert Sun - Oct 17, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Robert Imber

 

Women helped bring key desert architecture

 

Desert Sun - Oct 10, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

GraceLewisMillerMaryonToole


Heavyweight champs brought boxing to the desert

 

Desert Sun - Oct 03, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

heavyweight boxing

 

 

Tunney improved desert land development

 

Desert Sun - Sep 26, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

John Tunney

Sinatra pal Keely Smith defined desert cool

 

Desert Sun - Sep 19, 2021
By Tracy Conrad


 

Keely Smith

 

 

Gardner McKay's time in the desert

 

Desert Sun - Sep 12, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Gardner McKay

Humorist Bennett Cerf loved books, laughter

 

Desert Sun - Sep 5, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Bennett Cerf

John Muir enchanted by Palm Canyon 

 

Desert Sun - Aug 29, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

John Muir

The greatest hits: Recalling Sonny Bono

 

Desert Sun - Aug 22, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Recalling Sony Bono

Santos Cocktail Cheese was world-famous

 

Desert Sun - Aug 15, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Santos de Jesus Cocktail Cheese was world-famous

Famous New Yorker Raskob a desert regular

 

Desert Sun - Aug 8, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

John Jacob Raskob

Tony Burke: Living a fine, but modest life 

 

Desert Sun - Aug 1, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Tony Burke

Artesian wells supported desert agriculture

 

Desert Sun - July 25, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Artesian wells

Dog days in the desert: Dakar's story

 

Desert Sun - July 18, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Cliff Henderson Dog Dakar

Jordan parlayed first job into national acclaim

Desert Sun - July 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Charlie Jordan

 

Ambush of Bill Keys led him to prison

 

Desert Sun - July 4, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Bill Keys ambush

Shulman knew desert in words, photos 

 

Desert Sun - June 27, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Shulman

Johnny Weissmuller loved the desert

 

Desert Sun - June 20, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Johnny Weissmuller

Clarkes brought aloha to the desert  

 

Desert Sun - June 13, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Waltah Clarke

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku and his Palm Springs connection

 

Desert Sun - May 30, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku

 

Cody's Cameron Center was Googie-style

 

Desert Sun - May 23, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Cody's Cameron Center Googie-style

Ric Supple did it his way

 

Desert Sun - May 16, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Ric Supple

Famed children's author crafted fables

 

Desert Sun - May 9, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Munro Leaf

Car, adventures of 'The Saint' lead to desert

 

Desert Sun - May 2, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Leslie Charteris-Aston Martin Lagonda-The Saint

 

Perfect stop to enchant Faith Baldwin

 

Desert Sun - April 25, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Faith Baldwin

Cora Crawford was a pillar of a new community

 

Desert Sun - April 18, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Cora Crawford

Prince Philip loved the informality of the desert 

 

Desert Sun - April 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Prince Philip in the desert

The old box car schoolhouse of Edom

 

Desert Sun - April 4, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Edom schoolhouse

Cahuilla-Hills in Palm Desert started with $5

 

Desert Sun - March 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Cahuilla-Hills in Palm Desert

Fostering nomadic living in California

 

Desert Sun - March 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

nomadic living in southern california 

Mills' relentless drive promoted jazz

 

Desert Sun - March 14, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Irving Mills

A Cole song and ties to the desert

 

Desert Sun - March 7, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Nat King Cole song tied to the desert

Wilsons vital to architectural expansion

 

Desert Sun - February 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Wilsons

Lesser-known builders of Palm Desert

 

Desert Sun - February 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

builders Palm Desert

Willis provided history of desert

 

Desert Sun - February 14, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Photographer Willis provided history of desert

 

First Baptist Church dedicated

 

Desert Sun - February 07, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

First Baptist Church

Linking Palm Springs to the 'big city' of Banning

 

Desert Sun - January 31, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Banning

Unlikely tale of trio who changed Palm Desert  

 

Desert Sun - January 24, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

trio Schwilck, Henderson, Harrison

Agnew made desert home in late life

 

Desert Sun - January 17, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Spiro Agnew

King Gillette had plan to beautify the desert 

 

Desert Sun - January 10, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

King Gillette Mesa Gate

Granville's path to Reagan confidant

 

Desert Sun - January 03, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Bonita Granville 

Disneyland Hotel has roots in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - December 27, 2020
By Tracy Conrad  

Disneyland Hotel has roots in Palm Springs

Autry's influence on pop Christmas music

Desert Sun - December 20, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Gene Autry Christmas music

Meiselman, Moyer built with personality

 

Desert Sun - December 13, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Meiselman Moyer

Nellie Coffman had a vision for Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - December 06, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

nellie coffman 

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway becomes icon

 

Desert Sun - November 29, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway 

Prietos helped shape town

 

Desert Sun - November 22, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Prietros

Bean changed depictions of California tribes

 

Desert Sun - November 15, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Lowell John Bean 

History: Councilwoman led ward vs. at-large vote

 

Desert Sun - November 08,, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Councilwoman Mary Carlin

Desert landscape influenced Ann Japenga's stories

 

Desert Sun - November 01,, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Ann Japenga 

 

Boyle, Bogert touted Palm Springs to nation

 

Desert Sun - October 25, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Johnny Boyle

Hollywood star Ginny Simms made Palm Springs home after fulfilling life

 

Desert Sun - October 18, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Ginny Simms

Palm Springs Police Show a site to behold

 

Desert Sun - October 11, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Springs Police Show

Riviera Hotel had transformative majesty 

 

Desert Sun - October 04, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Riviera Hotel

Closure of printing press marks milestone

 

Desert Sun - September 27, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

 


Desert Sun Printing Press closure 

Supples offered Palm Springs a certain allure

 

Desert Sun - September 20, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Rozene Supple

Harold Lloyd's Movie Colony estate

 

Desert Sun - September 13, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Harold Lloyd Move Colony estate

Dates find a prestigious home in the Coachella Valley

 

Desert Sun - September 6, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

dates

Illustrations conjured desert's style and society with flair

 

Desert Sun - August 30, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

 

Illustrations
Her original drawings languished in a file cabinet for decades until finally discovered as long-buried treasure and published as a diminutive coffee table book. Flipping through the pages conjures up a most delightful sense of the fun of the desert and makes it easy to imagine the world according to Rovinsky, her particular view of Palm Springs. 

 

No swanky desert home should be without the tiny tome

Alice Rovinsky Book - Palm Springs Life

 

 

Civil rights, diversity in Coachella

 

Desert Sun - August 23, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

civil rights, diversity

Shadow Mountain Club has something for everyone

 

Desert Sun - August 16, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Shadow Mountain Club

'Distinctive' Firecliff Lodge put Palm Desert on map

 

Desert Sun - August 9, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Firecliff Lodge

Asians worked closely with Nellie Coffman amid war, racial tensions

 

Desert Sun - August 2, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Asians with Nellie Coffman

Mexican heritage deeply ingrained in the story of Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - July 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Marmolejo Family with Frank Bogert
Check out the book
We Were Here Too 
by Barbara Eves, Cydronia Valdez and Vera Wall.
Book We Were Here Too

Palm Springs history: A plan for affordable housing and a fight against the federal conservatorships

 

Desert Sun - July 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Lawrence Crossley

How Section 14 became heart of bustling downtown

 

Desert Sun - July 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Section 14 past and present

'You Can't Eat Dirt': Tribal leader Vyola Ortner and Section 14

 

Desert Sun - July 5, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Vyola Ortner Tribal Leader "You Can't Eat Dirt'

Palm Desert's storied origins now collected

 

Desert Sun - June 28, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Desert's origins

 

 

Smoke trees: An example of desert beauty

 

Desert Sun - June 21, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

smoke trees

 

 

 

Fig Tree John story - real and novelized - again relevant

 

Desert Sun - June 14, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Fig Tree John

Jim Maynard lived a life of adventure

 

Desert Sun - June 7, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

jim maynard 

Defining the aesthetics of early SoCal style

 

Desert Sun - May 31, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

early SoCal style

Linsk and the 'singular appeal' of 'Poolside Gossip'

 

Desert Sun - May 24, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Nelda Linsk

Willard sharpened his art in the desert

 

Desert Sun - May 17, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Stephen Willard Desert Sun May17, 2020 Willard sharpened his art in the desert
Get the book here
 Stephen H. Willard artists Pursuit of the Purple Shadow


Desert beauty gave artists solace, inspiration

 

Desert Sun - May 10, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Gordon Coutts Artist

This Palm Springs power couple made their mark

 

Desert Sun - May 03, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Mickey Wheeler

 

George Wheeler

 'Renaissance Man' Milt Jones

 

Desert Sun - April 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Milt Jones

Earl Cordrey used his art to redefine Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - April 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

illustrator Earl Cordrey

B-Bar-H Ranch Club: Old West life 10 miles from city

 

Desert Sun - April 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

B-Bar-H Ranch

Dr. Dick Roger: A local legend in more ways than one

 

Desert Sun - April 5, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Dr. Dick Roger

Forrest Bird, creator of the revolutionary 'resuscitator,' puts Palm Springs on the map

Desert Sun - March 29, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 
Desert Sun Mar29, 2020 Forrest Bird

Indio hospital's founder a foremost citizen

 

Desert Sun - March 22, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Dr. Reynaldo Carreon

The origins of Palm Springs' Desert Hospital

 

Desert Sun - March 15, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Desert Hospital

Palm Springs' splendor expands eastward

 

Desert Sun - March 08, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Desi Arnaz Hotel

Country Club honors an original member 

 

Desert Sun - March 01, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Hoagy Carmichael

Pathfinders: A powerful force for Palm Springs' good

 

Desert Sun - February 23, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Pathfinders desert sun feb23, 2020

A Remarkable Horsewoman

 

Desert Sun - February 16, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Jane Lykken Hoff A Remarkable Horsewoman 

The Center was most important midcentury building in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - February 09, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

The Center midcentury building in Palm Springs

 City Hall symbol of 'relentless progress'

 

Desert Sun - February 02, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

City Hall

'Different and Useful' Frank & Melba Bennetts' contributions to life in Palm Springs

 

Desert Sun - January 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Frank and Melba Bennett

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was audacious project

 

Desert Sun - January 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

 

New Yorker builder's unprecedented present to Palm Springs was Canyon Country Club

 

Desert Sun - January 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Canyon Country Club

 

The harsh sun of the desert led to Architectural Stardom

 

Desert Sun - January 05, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

screen block

Desert Magazine: A feat of pure courage

 

Desert Sun - December 29, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Magazine: A feat of pure courage

Sun Time in the Desert

 

Desert Sun - December 22, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Sun Time in the Desert

'Inspiration Point' gave Despression-era a boost

 

Desert Sun - December 15, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Inspiration Point gave Depression-era a boost Desert Sun Dec 15, 2019

Gossip Greats Graced the Desert Scene

Desert Sun - December 08, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Gossip Greats Desert Sun Dec 08, 2019

 

Desert Dog Show was Fancy

Desert Sun - December 01, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Dog Show

 

 

 

Hat Time in Palm Springs was Homemade Fun

Desert Sun - November 24, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Hat Time

Desert Jazz Cat Phil Harris was Cool by Every Definition

Desert Sun - November 17, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Jazz Cat Phil Harris

 

International Jazz Festival Finally a Go

Desert Sun - November 10, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

Jazz Festival in Palm Springs

 

'Bernard of Hollywood' started it all for Monroe

Desert Sun - November 03, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Marilyn Monroe Desert Sun Nov 03, 2019

 

Los Compadres brought together local riders from all walks of life

Desert Sun - October 27, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Los Compadres Desert Sun

O’Donnell Golf Club landscape is most historic

 

Desert Sun - October 20, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

O'Donnell Golf Course

Eldorado Country Club and Golf Course lives up to its name

Desert Sun - October 13, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

El Dorado Country Club

 

How the city of Palm Springs got its library

 

Desert Sun - September 29, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

How Library got it's Name


 

What's in a Coachella Valley Street name? Lots of history.

Desert Sun - September 15, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

road names

Supple's life and work simple remarkable

 

Desert Sun - September 09, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

Supples

Radio entrepreneurs helped to shape desert community

 

Desert Sun - September 01, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

radio

Spectacular architecture, art adorned this Palm Springs bank

 

Desert Sun - August 25, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Art Bank

The inspired architecture of Palm Springs' mid-century banks

 

Desert Sun - August 18, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

BankOfAmerica

Gardening in the desert

 

Desert Sun - August 09, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Gardening in the Desert

The extravagant dinner parties of the desert

 

Desert Sun - August 04, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Extravagant dinners of the desert

Writer saw Palm Springs in a different light

 

Desert Sun - July 28, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Writer saw Palm Springs in a different light

Marx Brothers' impact on Palm Springs lives on

 

Desert Sun - July 21, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

Marx Brothers' impact on Palm Springs lives on

Development of Desert Hot Springs Depended on Big Dream

 

Desert Sun - July 14, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Highlands Hot Springs

Romonaff's on the Rocks was fit for Hollywood royalty

 

Desert Sun - July 07, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Romanoff's

 

Haines rose to Hollywood fame in the 1920s

 

Desert Sun - June 30, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

LucilleBallDesertCircusQueen

 

The valley finally gets a community college

 

Desert Sun - June 23, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

College of the Desert 1960s

 

Tachevah dry falls tamed by politcal debate

 

Desert Sun - June 16, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Tachevah dry falls tamed by polical debate

 

How the Desert Inn Met It's Doom

Desert Sun - June 09, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

The trees of summer: Smoke trees, cacti, palms

 

Desert Sun - June 03, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Celebs, locals sought Dr. Chuck Supple

Desert Sun - June 02, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

  

Pacific islands’ style enthralled hotels in 1960s

Desert Sun - May 26, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Palm Springs architecture imported by rich

Desert Sun - May 19, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

architecture rich

 

How Minerva Hamilton Hoyt saved Joshua Tree park

 

Desert Sun - May 12, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Joshua Tree

 

How Palm Springs High School got its start

 

Desert Sun - May 05, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Springs High School

  

Helen Rose’s high fashion and stylist life

 

Desert Sun - Feb 10, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Helen Rose

 

Loewy streamlined daily life 

 

Desert Sun - Jan 13, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Raymond Loewy

 

How diners came to be a staple

 

Desert Sun - Jan 06, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

How Diners Came to be a Staple

  


 

Palm Springs’ early influencers

 

Desert Sun - June 24, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

 

The rich history of desert gardening

 

Desert Sun - June 10, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

 

Desert Circus a much-beloved local event

 

Desert Sun - May 06, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Circus

 

 

Palm Springs horse trails legacy of Desert Riders

 

Desert Sun - May 20, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Riders

 

A date with destiny for sweet desert treat

 

Desert Sun - May 27, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

 

Palm Springs’ nightclub scene thrived

 

Desert Sun - Dec 30, 2018
By Tracy Conrad 

Nightclub Scene

 

Christmas music, desert connected

 

Desert Sun - Dec 24, 2017
By Tracy Conrad 

Jimmy Van Heusen

 

 

How early PS holidays were celebrated

Desert Sun - Dec 23, 2017
By Tracy Conrad 
Early Palm Springs Holidays

 

 

Shaking the Trees - Column of tamarisks spurs debate on aesthetics, racism

 

Desert Sun - Dec 21, 2017
By Corinne S Kennedy 

 

The struggle with daylight saving time

 

Desert Sun - Dec 21, 2017
By Tracy Conrad 

Daylight Savings Time

 

A Palm Springs Christmas story

 

Desert Sun - Dec 21, 2017
By Renee Brown 

Christmas Story

 

 

 

Desert played role in timeless holiday songs

 

Desert Sun - Dec 16, 2018
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Landscaper shaped state’s image

 

Desert Sun - Dec 09, 2018
By Tracy Conrad 

 

All about fashion and ‘Palm Springs Label’

 

Desert Sun -Dec 03, 2017
By Renee Brown