More than 2,000 years ago, Palm Springs' first residents were the ancestors of today's Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. One of many Cahuilla bands, the Agua Calientes existed as peaceful hunters and gatherers, adapting to the extremes of desert summers and mountain winters. Much of tribal life centered around the lush vegetation and abundant water in the area known as Indian Canyons, site of North America's largest natural fan palm oases. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic killed thousands of the Agua Caliente.

In 1853, a government survey party mapped Palm Springs and its natural hot springs mineral pool -- now the site of the Spa Hotel and Casino -- and established the first wagon route through the San Gorgonio Pass (now I-10).

In 1877, as an incentive to complete a railroad to the Pacific, the US government gave Southern Pacific Railroad title to the odd-numbered parcels of land for 10 miles on either side of the tracks running through the Southern California desert around Palm Springs. The even-numbered parcels of land were given to the Agua Calientes, but federal law prohibited them from leasing or selling the land to derive income from it.

In 1884, Judge John Guthrie McCallum of San Francisco arrived in Palm Springs with his family, seeking health for his tubercular son. The first permanent non-Indian settler, Mc Callum purchased land from Sourthern Pacific and built an elaborate aqueduct. Dr Welwood Murray built the first hotel, The Palm Springs Hotel, in 1886.

Palm Springs continued attracting more visitors and non-Indian residents, but was not until President Eisenhower signed the Equalization Law in 1959 that tribes could realize profits from their lands. During these years Palm Springs grew rapidly.

In 1909 Nellie Coffman's Desert Inn opened, as did a garage for servicing the vehicles which brought visitors from the East Coast and Los Angeles, and a school for the children of handful of year-round residents. B y the time it was incorporated in 1938, the Village of Palm Springs had become world famous as a winter playground for Hollywood stars, European royalty and business tycoons, all who came to enjoy the endless sunshine and serenity of the desert.

During World War II, the desert became training grounds for General George S. Patton's troops as they prepared to invade North Africa. El Mirador Hotel, second home to the stars and the site of today's Desert Regional Medical Center, served as Torney General Hospital, treating U.S. wounded. Italian prisoners of war, housed at the adjoining detention camp, labored at the hospital.

The airfield, built to handle military cargo and personnel planes, would become Palm Springs Regional Airport. Once a small landing field and the first major Indian land purchased following the 1959 Equalization Law, the airport welcomes the 21st century as Palm Springs International Airport with flights nationwide and to Canada.

The post-war era ushered in tremendous growth as Palm Springs' natural environment was no longer a secret of just the wealthy. With tourism's growth, attractions and resorts flourished. Development spread "down valley." With the advent of air-conditioning, visitors and residents stayed year-round.

Today, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is a vital part of the Palm Springs community. Individually and as a tribe, the Agua Calientes are the largest landowners in the city with nearly 6,700 acres within the city limits. Many major hotels and facilities, such as the Palm Springs Convention Center, are sited on leased Indian lands. The Spa Hotel and Casino is just one example of the Agua Caliente's economic development.