| 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.
|
