Since Palm Springs Holiday was published a few years ago, interest in the city’s fascinating and glamorous past has continued to grow. Upon hearing that the venerable Palm Springs Historical Society had recently digitized one hundred years of photographs—over thirty thousand in total—I knew a book was waiting amidst that treasure trove. And I was right. Over many days I systematically viewed every image, narrowing the archive down to two hundred of the most compelling, outrageous, surprising, and fun. Some might be familiar; most will be unknown. So join me for another journey through time, from Palm Springs’ earliest days as an isolated outpost through its transformation into America’s foremost desert resort.
Head over heels at the Palm Springs Tennis Club. Photograph by Paul Pospesil.
When a lone palm on North Indian Avenue was worth naming a hotel after.