Palm Springs Legends: Creation of a Desert Oasis

by Greg Niemann

Palm Springs - for years a desert hideaway for celebrities - has a history as unique and varied as its residents. Nestled against lofty Mt. San Jacinto, the oasis of Palm Springs was the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. In the late 1800s, white men began to arrive, seeking restorative cures in the therapeutic waters of the hot springs. The climate attracted not only respiratory patients and their families, but world-famous artists and writers who sought solace and inspiration in the palm-shaded canyons. Despite floods, droughts, and tribulations, these hardy settlers brought a modern village into being. Get to know the remarkable pioneers who left their mark on this special place. Learn the stories behind the inns, resorts, and businesses that made it the Desert Inn, El Mirador, the Racquet Club, and so many others. Enjoy a historical, behind-the-scenes Ride the tram, meet the stars, and discover the myriad forces and diverse population that made the Palm Springs area an international destination.

286 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2005

Reviews

[Terry Cornell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Palm Springs is only a two and a half drive from where I live. A nice reprieve from our cold winters, and neighbor Rancho Mirage is the home-base for our time-share. We've visited the area several times, visited the museums, and taken the tours of the Hollywood stars getaway homes. In the days of no travel, a nice re-visit to the area in this book. History all the way back to the Native American tribes that first inhabited area, to 2005 when the book was published. Quite a bit I didn't know, or remember. The only reason I didn't give the book four stars, is it seems to get a little repetitive by the end. If you're planning on visiting the area, have visited, or are interested in tales of the Hollywood stars in the days of the 1940 through 1960s eras this is well worth your time.

[Avid · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was actually quite a bit of info here about PS, its history, its founders, the celebs, things to do/see. I had no idea there was such a variety. PS is LGBTQ+ -friendly, too.

My chief complaint about the book is how repetitive it is - it seems as if different people wrote different sections, or the different sections were written months or years apart, and there’s no awareness that you JUST told me these very details just a chapter or two ago. Or maybe it’s designed that way for those of us who are older and tend to forget what we just read. Lol.

[David Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any history of Palm Springs that doesn't include the Section 14 land-use controversies and gives only one page to the city's status as a gay mecca leaves a lot to be desired. Still, this gives a decent grounding as of the turn of the 21st century. As a newspaperman, Niemann can write clearly and readably and knows when to end a story. In that regard, this is better than a lot of local history books.

[valerie whalen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love to read about the history of places I plan to visit. I’m excited to explore Palm Springs after reading this book. I especially enjoyed learning about so many brave women pioneers who helped shape the area. Super sweet of the author to sign the copy of his book that he shipped to me!

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

So boring I couldn't finish.