Intriguing Stories - Articles Archive

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.

Amado Salinas serves desert in tradition of heroic father

Desert Sun - May 22, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Shearer, French instrumental in desert golf, politics

Desert Sun - May 15, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Plaza Theatre offered the best in architecture and entertainment

Desert Sun - May 8, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

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

Desert Sun - May 1, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Intrepid Mac and Ruth Blackenhorn invented Rancho Mirage

Desert Sun - April 24, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Easter in the desert always included fabulous hats

Desert Sun - April 17, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Exquisite Abernathy House was center of music, art

Desert Sun - April 10, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

 

Glamorous Kaptur captured modern desert life 

Desert Sun - April 3, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Lucy and Desi made great publicity for desert living

Desert Sun - Mar 27, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

 

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

Desert Sun - Mar 20, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Honoring the intrepid women who built Palm Springs

Desert Sun - Mar 13, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

 

The divine desert architecture of Walter S White

Desert Sun - Mar 6, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

 

Bullock's was a special shopping experience

Desert Sun - Feb 27, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

Rudolph Schindler's strange and varied clients in the desert

Desert Sun - Feb 20, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

Rock Houses, Millers and Munchkins

Desert Sun - Feb 13, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Exhibit celebrates designer for the masses

Desert Sun - Jan 30, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

The Oasis Hotel was a glorious garden paradise

Desert Sun - Jan 30, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Hidden Treaty robbed Indigenous people of their lands

Desert Sun - Jan 23, 2022
By Tracy Conrad

The Limelight focused on local happenings

Desert Sun - Jan 16, 2022
By Tracy Conrad  

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

Desert Sun - Jan 9, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

No surprises with Holiday Inn in the desert

Desert Sun - Jan 2, 2022
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Crosby, Christmas inseparable from the desert

Desert Sun - Dec 26, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Little known history of the Bradshaw Trail

Desert Sun - Dec 19, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

Intrepid Miss Marble made Palm Springs home

Desert Sun - Dec 12, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Ancient well site has many incarnations

Desert Sun - Nov 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Ex-exec found solace in Desert Hot Springs

Desert Sun - Nov 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Fictional mobster tales are eerily plausible

Desert Sun - Nov 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Legendary outlaw's tragic story persists

Desert Sun - Nov 07, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Cowboy culture inspires Los Compadres

Desert Sun - Oct 31, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Venturi and Sinatra resilient in the desert 

Desert Sun - Oct 24, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

Little known architectural details were his passion 

Desert Sun - Oct 17, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

Women helped bring key desert architecture

Desert Sun - Oct 10, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Heavyweight champs brought boxing to the desert

Desert Sun - Oct 03, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Tunney improved desert land development

Desert Sun - Sep 26, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Sinatra pal Keely Smith defined desert cool

Desert Sun - Sep 19, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

 

Gardner McKay's time in the desert

Desert Sun - Sep 12, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Humorist Bennett Cerf loved books, laughter

Desert Sun - Sep 5, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

John Muir enchanted by Palm Canyon 

Desert Sun - Aug 29, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

The greatest hits: Recalling Sonny Bono

Desert Sun - Aug 22, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Santos Cocktail Cheese was world-famous

Desert Sun - Aug 15, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Famous New Yorker Raskob a desert regular

Desert Sun - Aug 8, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Tony Burke: Living a fine, but modest life 

Desert Sun - Aug 1, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Artesian wells supported desert agriculture

Desert Sun - July 25, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Dog days in the desert: Dakar's story

Desert Sun - July 18, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Jordan parlayed first job into national acclaim

Desert Sun - July 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

Ambush of Bill Keys led him to prison

Desert Sun - July 4, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Shulman knew desert in words, photos 

Desert Sun - June 27, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Johnny Weissmuller loved the desert

Desert Sun - June 20, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Clarkes brought aloha to the desert  

Desert Sun - June 13, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Duke Paoa Kahanamoku and his Palm Springs connection

Desert Sun - May 30, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

 

Cody's Cameron Center was Googie-style

Desert Sun - May 23, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Ric Supple did it his way

Desert Sun - May 16, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Famed children's author crafted fables

Desert Sun - May 9, 2021
By Tracy Conrad

Car, adventures of 'The Saint' lead to desert

Desert Sun - May 2, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

 

Perfect stop to enchant Faith Baldwin

Desert Sun - April 25, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Cora Crawford was a pillar of a new community

Desert Sun - April 18, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Prince Philip loved the informality of the desert 

Desert Sun - April 11, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

The old box car schoolhouse of Edom

Desert Sun - April 4, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Cahuilla-Hills in Palm Desert started with $5

Desert Sun - March 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Fostering nomadic living in California

Desert Sun - March 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Mills' relentless drive promoted jazz

Desert Sun - March 14, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

A Cole song and ties to the desert

Desert Sun - March 7, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Wilsons vital to architectural expansion

Desert Sun - February 28, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Lesser-known builders of Palm Desert

Desert Sun - February 21, 2021
By Tracy Conrad  

Willis provided history of desert

Desert Sun - February 14, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

 

First Baptist Church dedicated

Desert Sun - February 07, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Linking Palm Springs to the 'big city' of Banning

Desert Sun - January 31, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Unlikely tale of trio who changed Palm Desert  

Desert Sun - January 24, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Agnew made desert home in late life

Desert Sun - January 17, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

King Gillette had plan to beautify the desert 

Desert Sun - January 10, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Granville's path to Reagan confidant

Desert Sun - January 03, 2021
By Tracy Conrad 

Disneyland Hotel has roots in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - December 27, 2020
By Tracy Conrad  

Autry's influence on pop Christmas music

Desert Sun - December 20, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Meiselman, Moyer built with personality

Desert Sun - December 13, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Nellie Coffman had a vision for Palm Springs

Desert Sun - December 06, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway becomes icon

Desert Sun - November 29, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Prietos helped shape town

Desert Sun - November 22, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Bean changed depictions of California tribes

Desert Sun - November 15, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

History: Councilwoman led ward vs. at-large vote

Desert Sun - November 08,, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Desert landscape influenced Ann Japenga's stories

Desert Sun - November 01,, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

 

Boyle, Bogert touted Palm Springs to nation

Desert Sun - October 25, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Hollywood star Ginny Simms made Palm Springs home after fulfilling life

Desert Sun - October 18, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Springs Police Show a site to behold

Desert Sun - October 11, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Riviera Hotel had transformative majesty 

Desert Sun - October 04, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Closure of printing press marks milestone

Desert Sun - September 27, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Supples offered Palm Springs a certain allure

Desert Sun - September 20, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Harold Lloyd's Movie Colony estate

Desert Sun - September 13, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Dates find a prestigious home in the Coachella Valley

Desert Sun - September 6, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Illustrations conjured desert's style and society with flair

Desert Sun - August 30, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

 

No swanky desert home should be without the tiny tome

 

Civil rights, diversity in Coachella

Desert Sun - August 23, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Shadow Mountain Club has something for everyone

Desert Sun - August 16, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

'Distinctive' Firecliff Lodge put Palm Desert on map

Desert Sun - August 9, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Asians worked closely with Nellie Coffman amid war, racial tensions

Desert Sun - August 2, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Mexican heritage deeply ingrained in the story of Palm Springs

Desert Sun - July 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

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

Desert Sun - July 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

How Section 14 became heart of bustling downtown

Desert Sun - July 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

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

Desert Sun - July 5, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Palm Desert's storied origins now collected

Desert Sun - June 28, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

 

Smoke trees: An example of desert beauty

Desert Sun - June 21, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

 

 

Fig Tree John story - real and novelized - again relevant

Desert Sun - June 14, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Jim Maynard lived a life of adventure

Desert Sun - June 7, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Defining the aesthetics of early SoCal style

Desert Sun - May 31, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

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

Desert Sun - May 24, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Willard sharpened his art in the desert

Desert Sun - May 17, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Desert beauty gave artists solace, inspiration

Desert Sun - May 10, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

This Palm Springs power couple made their mark

Desert Sun - May 03, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

 'Renaissance Man' Milt Jones

Desert Sun - April 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Earl Cordrey used his art to redefine Palm Springs

Desert Sun - April 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

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

Desert Sun - April 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

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

Desert Sun - April 5, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

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

Indio hospital's founder a foremost citizen

Desert Sun - March 22, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

The origins of Palm Springs' Desert Hospital

Desert Sun - March 15, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Palm Springs' splendor expands eastward

Desert Sun - March 08, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Country Club honors an original member 

Desert Sun - March 01, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Pathfinders: A powerful force for Palm Springs' good

Desert Sun - February 23, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

A Remarkable Horsewoman

Desert Sun - February 16, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

The Center was most important midcentury building in Palm Springs

Desert Sun - February 09, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

 City Hall symbol of 'relentless progress'

Desert Sun - February 02, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

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

Desert Sun - January 26, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was audacious project

Desert Sun - January 19, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

 

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

Desert Sun - January 12, 2020
By Tracy Conrad 

 

The harsh sun of the desert led to Architectural Stardom

Desert Sun - January 05, 2020
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Magazine: A feat of pure courage

Desert Sun - December 29, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Sun Time in the Desert

Desert Sun - December 22, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

'Inspiration Point' gave Despression-era a boost

Desert Sun - December 15, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Gossip Greats Graced the Desert Scene

Desert Sun - December 08, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Dog Show was Fancy

Desert Sun - December 01, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

 

Hat Time in Palm Springs was Homemade Fun

Desert Sun - November 24, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Desert Jazz Cat Phil Harris was Cool by Every Definition

Desert Sun - November 17, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

International Jazz Festival Finally a Go

Desert Sun - November 10, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

'Bernard of Hollywood' started it all for Monroe

Desert Sun - November 03, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Los Compadres brought together local riders from all walks of life

Desert Sun - October 27, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

O’Donnell Golf Club landscape is most historic

Desert Sun - October 20, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Eldorado Country Club and Golf Course lives up to its name

Desert Sun - October 13, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

How the city of Palm Springs got its library

Desert Sun - September 29, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

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

Desert Sun - September 15, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Supple's life and work simple remarkable

Desert Sun - September 09, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

Radio entrepreneurs helped to shape desert community

Desert Sun - September 01, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Spectacular architecture, art adorned this Palm Springs bank

Desert Sun - August 25, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

The inspired architecture of Palm Springs' mid-century banks

Desert Sun - August 18, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Gardening in the desert

Desert Sun - August 09, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

The extravagant dinner parties of the desert

Desert Sun - August 04, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Writer saw Palm Springs in a different light

Desert Sun - July 28, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Marx Brothers' impact on Palm Springs lives on

Desert Sun - July 21, 2019
By Tracy Conrad 

Development of Desert Hot Springs Depended on Big Dream

Desert Sun - July 14, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

Romonaff's on the Rocks was fit for Hollywood royalty

Desert Sun - July 07, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Haines rose to Hollywood fame in the 1920s

Desert Sun - June 30, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

The valley finally gets a community college

Desert Sun - June 23, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Tachevah dry falls tamed by politcal debate

Desert Sun - June 16, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

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

 

How Minerva Hamilton Hoyt saved Joshua Tree park

Desert Sun - May 12, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

How Palm Springs High School got its start

Desert Sun - May 05, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

  

Helen Rose’s high fashion and stylist life

Desert Sun - Feb 10, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

Loewy streamlined daily life 

Desert Sun - Jan 13, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

 

How diners came to be a staple

Desert Sun - Jan 06, 2019
By Tracy Conrad

  

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

 

Palm Springs horse trails legacy of Desert Riders

Desert Sun - May 20, 2018
By Tracy Conrad

 

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 

 

Christmas music, desert connected

Desert Sun - Dec 24, 2017
By Tracy Conrad 

 

How early PS holidays were celebrated

 

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 

 

A Palm Springs Christmas story

Desert Sun - Dec 21, 2017
By Renee Brown 

 

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