THE PALM SPRINGS ROUND - STOP BY STOP
Cornelia White House
Let me show you the Cornelia White House, a building that stands as one of the oldest surviving structures in town. You can find this wooden residential structure in downtown Palm Springs, California. It was started in 1893 and was built in 1893. While many things have changed around it over the years, the house remains a key piece of the local area. Today, the building is part of the Village Green Heritage Center. I always find it interesting how a simple wooden home can outlast so much of the surrounding growth, especially in a place that has seen so much change. It is a rare sight to find a residential structure from that era still standing in the heart of the downtown district for visitors to admire.
Frey House II
Frey House II is a single-family detached home that showcases the principles of modern architecture. I can show you how Albert Frey, the architect of the home, utilized this style to create a distinct residential space. It is a National Register of Historic Places listed place, which tells you a lot about its standing in the community. Work on the home was started in 1964. If you look closely at the lines and materials, you can pick out the specific hallmarks of the modern movement that Frey championed. It is a great example of how the mid-century aesthetic fits into the local environment. I usually find the best views of the structure from the street, though you have to keep an eye out for my friends fluttering around the eaves.
Plaza Theatre
The Plaza Theatre is a movie theater that opened in 1936. It serves as an anchor of La Plaza, which also opened in 1936. If you are walking along 128 South Palm Canyon Drive, you can pick out this theatre building as a piece of the city's history. While it began as a cinema, the venue later took on a different kind of energy for several decades. From 1990 through 2014, the theatre housed The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. I have spent a lot of time watching the crowds gather around this spot from the air, and it remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in the area. Whether you are interested in the early days of the neighborhood or the later stage shows, this building is a great place to stop and look around.
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Prism Theater
Palm Canyon Theatre
El Mirador Hotel Tower
Our Lady of Solitude Church
Forever Marilyn
Seward Johnson is the designer behind this sculpture, a giant statue of Marilyn Monroe. You can pick out the specific pose the artist chose, as it represents an image of Monroe from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch. Created in 2011, the work is a well-traveled piece of art. While you see it here in Palm Springs, the statue has been displayed in Australia and a variety of locations in the United States. I've noticed that the sheer scale of the figure makes for a great photo, provided you can find a spot where the crowds aren't blocking your view. It is a striking sight to see such a massive figure standing right there on the street, bringing a piece of cinema history into the open air for everyone to see.
