Desert Hot Springs Historical Society

Desert Hot Springs Desert Hot Springs Historical Society

Cabot Yerxa's discovery of natural hot and cold mineral water in 1914 was the impetus for the establishment of Desert Hot Springs. His eccentric pueblo-style home, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a unique tourist attraction. L. W. Coffee also recognized the value of the hot water, so he drilled wells and opened his famous bathhouse in 1941. The development of more than 200 spas followed. Angel View Children's Hospital, established in the 1950s, uses the therapeutic water to treat disabled children. The city's extraordinary, pure cold water wins awards such as "best tasting in the world." Desert Hot Springs is the location of architect John Lautner's first desert commission, and Mary Pickford's house still stands at the famous B-Bar-H Ranch that was frequented by movie stars during the 1940s and 1950s. The historic Two Bunch Palms Resort and Spa is known as an exclusive celebrity hideaway. The city, believed to have an unusually strong vortex, is located just south of Joshua Tree National Park. An elevation of 1,200 feet affords most residents magnificent views of both Mount San Jacinto and Mount San Gorgonio.