City of Palm Springs

3200 East Tahquitz Canyon Way

760-323-8299

History:
In 1877, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed its line through the desert to the Pacific Ocean. A Congressional policy established that every odd section of land for 10 miles on either side of the track became the property of the railroad a section was defined as one square mile. The even-numbered sections remained the property of the federal government.In 1884, Judge John Guthrie McCallum of San Francisco and his family became the first non-Indians to settle here. McCallum, with the assistance of local Indians, built a 19 mile stone-lined ditch from the Whitewater River into Palm Springs bringing in pure, precious water for irrigation.Throughout the 19th century, various explorers, colonizers, and soldiers came through the desert, but it was not until 1853 that the United States Topographical Engineers mentioned the oasis of palm trees and springs which they called "Palm Springs." The name did not stick at that time, however. After California became a state in 1850, various stage routes crossed the desert, and "Big Bill Bradshaw's" freight line began to stop at what Bradshaw called "Agua Caliente." The place was known by that name or variations of "Palm Valley" until 1890 when Harry McCallum referred in a letter to his post office address in Palm Springs.

Dr. Wellwood Murray, of nearby Banning, opened Palm Springs' first hotel, called the Palm Springs Hotel, which was conveniently located directly across the road from the Indian bathhouse where his guests could take advantage of its warm, curative waters.In 1909, Dr. Harry and Nellie Coffman started their sanitorium, The Desert Inn, which was originally a place for those afflicted with tuberculosis. The Inn later became a world-renowned resort hotel catering to the very wealthy, which included captains of industry and well-known millionaires such as the Vanderbilt and Hearst families.

World War II brought rapid growth to Palm Springs with many new housing developments and businesses. The Desert Museum opened its doors in 1938, a public library was established in 1939 and the Desert Hospital opened in 1951.Dr. & Mrs. Wellwood MurrayIn 1938, Palm Springs opened the first high school in the Palm Springs Union High School District, which, in in 1948, was combined with the Desert School District to form the Palm Springs Unified School District. Prior to this, high school students from the area were bused daily to nearby Banning.

Other famed guests were FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and Mayor Jimmy Walker of New York, along with many other notables and celebrities. Even little Shirley Temple learned to ride her two-wheeler on the grounds of the Desert Inn. Palm Springs was now on its way to becoming a thriving resort.

Palm Springs was incorporated in 1938 with Philip Boyd as the first Mayor. World War II brought rapid growth to Palm Springs with many new housing developments and businesses.

Wayne Olson Named City's First Ever Chief Economic Development Officer

The City of Palm Desert’s former senior development manager for economic development will be the new Chief Economic Development Officer for Palm Springs, City Manager Scott Stiles announced today. Wayne Olson will begin his new position at…

Palm Springs International Airport and Agua Caliente Casinos Announce Historic Concourse Naming Rights Partnership

Palm Springs, CA - Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) and Agua Caliente Casinos are proud to announce a historic first in the airport industry, a naming rights sponsorship agreement re-naming the airport’s RJ concourse to the Agua…

New Public Art Project 'Pillars of Palm Springs' to be Unveiled on World Art Day

The City of Palm Springs is pleased to announce a new public arts project dubbed “Pillars of Palm Springs” is set to be unveiled in Spring of 2024 on World Art Day. The creative new project will showcase six art installations on the…

Iconic Southern California Sports Broadcaster Fred Roggin Named Celebrity Grand Marshal of 31st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade

Iconic Southern California sports broadcaster Fred Roggin named Celebrity Grand Marshal of 31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade Award-winning Southern California sports broadcaster and Coachella Valley resident Fred Roggin, who…

City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting Slated for Friday, December 1, 2023

31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights returns Saturday, Dec. 2; Canine Mayor Buddy Holly to serve as first ever “Canine Grand Marshal” Hannah Wright, Manny the Movie Guy, Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and news reporter Kitty Alvarado…

City Of Palm Springs To Host Three Days Of Veterans Day Activities, Culminating With 26th Annual Veterans Day Parade

The City of Palm Springs will proudly host three days of Veterans Day events beginning Thursday, Nov. 9 – and culminating on Saturday, Nov. 11 with the much loved 26th Annual Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade. The activities start Thursday at…

City of Palm Springs News - October 27, 2023

City of Palm Springs to host three days of Veterans Day actvities, culminating with 26th annual Veterans Day Parade, Nov. 11 The City of Palm Springs will proudly host three days of Veterans Day events beginning Thursday, Nov. 9 – and…

It’s Parade Season In Palm Springs

It’s parade season in Palm Springs! So mark your calendars for these fun and FREE special events highlighting the City’s high school football team, diverse LGBTQ community, a powerful and poignant tribute to our veterans – and the…

New Earlier Hours of Operation Begin October 2 at Palm Springs City Hall

In an effort to be responsive to the needs of residents and businesses looking to access city services earlier in the morning, next month Palm Springs City Hall and the Office of Special Program Compliance at the City Yard, will unveil new hours of…

City of Palm Springs News : Alaska Airlines Announces Nonstop Service to JFK

Good Morning Editors, Alaska Airlines has announced new seasonal service to New York JFK from Palm Springs! The seasonal route will begin on December 14, 2023 and operate through April 22, 2024. Alaska’s JFK flights will be offered over…

HSPB to Present Two Important Awards at 9th Annual Preservation Matters Symposium

City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board to present two important awards at 9th Annual Preservation Matters Symposium, April 30 The City of Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board (HSPB) is pleased to announce it will present…

City Of Palm Springs 85th Anniversary Celebration Set For Sat,April 8, 2023

Palm Springs, Southern California’s most iconic resort destination, is turning 85-years-old – and the entire Coachella Valley is invited to celebrate the City’s legendary past and bright future at a FREE to the community,…

City of Palm Springs News $5.7 Million Awarded To PSP For Bag Claim Renovation And Expansion

Palm Springs, California – An expanded and renovated baggage claim will soon be coming to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) thanks to $5.7 million awarded to the airport from the Bipartisan Inf astructure Law yesterday. Last winter,…

City of Palm Springs News : Black History Parade And Town Fair moved to Sunday, February 26,2023

Black History Parade and Town Fair has been moved to Sunday, Feb. 26 to avoid anticipated rainstorm on Saturday The Palm Springs Black History Committee will not let it rain on their parade! With support from the City of Palm Springs, the 36th…

City of Palm Springs Joins Blue Zones Activate Riverside County Well-Being Initiative

PALM SPRINGS, CA (February 21, 2023) – The City of Palm Springs has announced that it will participate in Blue Zones Activate, an initiative focused on helping residents live better and longer. It is working with the Blue Zones team on a…

City of Palm Springs News - February is Black History Month in Palm Springs

February is Black History Month in Palm Springs February is Black History Month in the City of Palm Springs and the entire community is invited to participate in a host of fun and educational events planned by the City’s Black History…

City of Palm Springs News Palm Springs City Council Selects New City Manager Scott C. Stiles

City Council selects Garden Grove City Manager Scott C. Stiles to serve as next Palm Springs City Manage Jan. 20, 202 Scott C. Stiles, City Manager of Garden Grove, California, has been selected by the City Council to be the next Palm Springs…

City of Palm Springs - Community Invited To January 15, 2023 MLK Commemoration DayCelebration

The Coachella Valley community is invited to join the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Day Committee, the City of Indio, and the Palm Springs Black History Committee at their annual MLK Commemoration Day Celebration in remembrance of the…

City of Palm Springs News - PSP Preparing for Busy Holiday Trave, Passengers Should Arrive Early

We’re gearing up for what will likely be our busiest holiday season on record. Holiday travel next week is expected to bring nearly 15% more passengers to PSP than last year, and we’re planning for more than 35,000 people to depart from…

Palm Springs Airport Set To Double Number Of Restaurants; Local Businesses, Duty-Free Shopping, And Amazon Just Walk Out Shopping Will Arrive In 2023

– Palm Springs International Airport has announced plans to double the number of restaurants and bring in more local representation with new concessions program set to begin in 2023. Palm Springs Farmer’s Market will be featured as a…

Palm Springs

California