Categories
Historic Sites

Cullerton-Chaddick Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Cullerton-Chaddick Residence 572 West Santa Elena Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262

The Cullerton-Chaddick Residence was designed in 1965 by master architect William F. Cody for Patrick J. Cullerton and Harry F. Chaddick.  Cody did a ground-up thorough remodel of an existing modest 1948 ranch-style house, with the addition of significant square footage.  Meticulously preserved and maintained over the years, the house was given a very sensitive and compatible refresh by designer Bill Stewart, who owned the home from 2020-2024.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On November 12, 2025, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Cullerton-Chaddick Residence.  PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made public comment in support of the designation.

On October 7, 2025, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (7-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Cullerton-Chaddick Residence.  Nomination author and PSPF board member Steven Keylon spoke in support of the nomination.

On April 24, 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 89-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Cullerton-Chaddick Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In January of 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Cullerton-Chaddick Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Steven Keylon
Courtesy Steven Keylon
Categories
Historic Sites

Melba Bennett Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Bennett-Reed Residence (historic name Katherine DeR. Seaman Residence) 1184 Camino Mirasol, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Completed in 1934, and designed by Pasadena-based architect Charles O. Marcham, this beautifully landscaped and restored two-story residence is a rare example of California Monterey style in Old Las Palmas.  The residence was owned by Melba Bennett (one of Palm Springs’ foremost pioneering residents), and her husband Frank, from 1955-66.  Melba named the home El Sueño (“The Dream”).  Award-winning actress Donna Reed, and her husband Tony Owen, owned the home from 1966-73. 

In December of 2024, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Melba Bennett Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Courtesy Berkshire Hathaway
Courtesy Berkshire Hathaway
Courtesy Steve Vaught
Courtesy Steve Vaught
Categories
Historic Sites

Garber Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Dr. Harry and Betty Garber Residence 2455 Southridge Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The Garber Residence is a custom residence in Palm Springs’ exclusive Southridge development designed in 1970 by architect Richard A. Harrison, with interior design by Arthur Elrod. The Garbers owned the house until their deaths, it was acquired by the current owners in December of 2023. Remarkably few changes were made to the house, and it was beautifully maintained, making it a nearly intact example of Harrison’s work.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On March 27, 2025, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Garber Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On February 4, 2025, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (5-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Garber Residence.

On August 20, 2024, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 64-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Dr. Harry and Betty Garber Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In February of 2024, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Garber Residence Class 1 Historic Resource nomination to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Garber Family
Courtesy Garber Family
Categories
Historic Sites

Ratner Residence

HISTORIC SITES

Ratner Residence 1633 Via Roberto Miguel, Palm Springs, CA 92262

The Ratner Residence was designed for developer Roy Fey in 1960 by master architects Donald Wexler and Richard Harrison.  As one of about seventy Wexler & Harrison mass-produced tract houses built in the El Rancho Vista Estates neighborhood, the residence is a highly intact contributor and is a prime example of one of their elegant Midcentury Modern designs.  The residence uses the “Bermuda” floorplan, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a large living room and separate family room.  

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 24, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (4-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Ratner Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On October 1, 2024, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Ratner Residence.

On November 21, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 79-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Ratner Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In January of 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Ratner Residence Class 1 Historic Resource nomination to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Courtesy Steven Keylon
Courtesy Steven Keylon
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Kendrick Bangs Kellogg Project

Grants & Sponsorships

Kendrick Bangs Kellogg Project

On April 1, 2024, PSPF awarded a $5,000.00 grant to support efforts to accession the papers of architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg (1934-2024) to the Architecture and Design Collection (ADC) located at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum (AD&A Museum) at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). To read the Kendrick Bangs Kellogg Project brochure click here. To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Kellogg is best remembered locally for his seminal example of organic architecture, the Chart House Restaurant (1978) located in Rancho Mirage, which was tragically destroyed by fire in 2012. (Courtesy Patrick McGrew)
Kellogg is best remembered locally for his seminal example of organic architecture, the Chart House Restaurant (1978) located in Rancho Mirage, which was tragically destroyed by fire in 2012. (Courtesy Patrick McGrew)
Categories
Buildings to Watch

Gas Company Building

Buildings to Watch

Gas Company Building 211 North Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Designed in 1969 by Palm Desert architect Robert H. Ricciardi, AIA, the Brutalist style building uses rectilinear volumes, deep overhangs, and a flat roof. According to architectural historian Patrick McGrew, “The failure of the imperfect ‘corduroy’ concrete was discovered when the first board forms were removed…but wiser heads prevailed and the imperfections were recognized for the beauty they possess; the building was completed utilizing the ‘imperfect’ process resulting in one of the town’s most memorable buildings.” Originally the location of a subsidiary of the San Diego-based Southern California Gas Company, the building has sat vacant for years.

On March 4, 2025, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (7-0) to approve with conditions a proposed adaptive reuse project to repurpose the existing building from a public utility use to a single-family residential use.  To read the city staff report click here.

On July 25, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (5-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Gas Company Building.

On July 2, 2024, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council the approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Gas Company Building.

On March 5, 2024, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board reviewed the owner’s proposal and unanimously voted to invoke a 120-day stay of demolition pending a review of the building’s historic status.

On February 26, 2024, the current owner of the Gas Company Building submitted a proposal to the city to “transform [the building] into a modern residential home.” Because the building is a Class 3 due to its age, this triggered a review by the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board under PSMC Section 8.05.130.

Gas Company Bldg 1 BMarshall
Gas Company Bldg 2 BMarshall
Categories
Historic Sites

Snyder Residence

HISTORIC SITES

John C. & Estella Snyder Residence 271 West Merito Place, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Built in 1932 as a winter retreat for wealthy Indiana businessman John C. Snyder and his family, Morada La Estrella (roughly “Home of the Star”) was later the home of internationally famous movie star Rod Taylor (films include “The Time Machine” and “The Birds”). Credited to talented architectural designer William Charles Tanner, the home’s simple, adobe-inspired U-shaped design creates a beautiful, romantic, and authentic example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Located in Palm Springs’ historic Merito Vista tract, the home was intentionally sited “off-center” on the lot to allow for an expansive garden.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On September 11, 2025, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 108-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Snyder Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

On February 19, 2024, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation provided a completed draft of the 96-page nomination to the owners of the Snyder Residence.

In November of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the John C. and Estella Snyder Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Courtesy John Lewis Marshall
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Palm Springs City Hall Historic Landscape Report

Grants & Sponsorships

Palm Springs City Hall Historic Landscape Report Grant

On April 18, 2024 PSPF submitted the “Palm Springs City Hall Historic Landscape Report” to the city of Palm Springs. The 72-page report, prepared by PSPF board member and architectural historian Steven Keylon, makes various recommendations intended to restore the original vision of famous midcentury landscape architects Eckbo, Royston, & Williams. To read the Landscape Report click here.

On January 8, 2024 the PSPF board voted unanimously to award a $1,300 grant to architectural historian and PSPF board member Steven Keylon “to support your proposal to create an historically-accurate landscape plan for the Palm Springs City Hall site.  As you know, PSPF championed the designation of the entire city hall site starting in 2009 when the city proposed an ill-advised plan to rewicker the parking lot that would have blocked historic sight lines.  In 2012, PSPF’s efforts culminated in a significant success when the city council formally designated the entire city hall site as historic.  Hence, it is appropriate that PSPF support any efforts to return the landscape to its original design.”  To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

Keylon was asked to undertake this important project in view of his unique qualifications and experience as a past president of the California Garden & Landscape History Society (CGLHS). 

PS City Hall
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

John Porter Clark Research Project

Grants & Sponsorships

John Porter Clark Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

On December 11, 2023 the PSPF board voted unanimously to award a $5,000 grant to architectural historian Luke Leuschner to support his research efforts regarding architect John Porter Clark. As stated in the PSPF grant letter to Leuschner, the purpose of the grant is “to allow you to research and investigate archival materials at various repositories (including those found in private collections) to expand the knowledge of this important, and prolific, architect. We likewise concur with your assessment that such research is ‘long overdue’ and thank you for your letter…in which you make a compelling case for the merit of such research.” To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

This is the fifth Patrick McGrew Memorial Research grant awarded by PSPF.

 

John Porter Clark
Categories
Grants and Sponsorships

Helena Arahuete Exhibition

Grants & Sponsorships

From Within: The Architecture of Helena Arahuete – September 23 - December 17, 2023 SPONSORSHIP

PSPF was proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the exhibition “From Within: The Architecture of Helena Arahuete” at the Art, Design & Architecture Museum (AD&A) located on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara (UCSB). The exhibition explores the trajectory of Arahuete’s career, including its start in Argentina, and her challenges as a female architect in a male-dominated profession. Particularly relevant to the architectural legacy of Palm Springs, Arahuete was deeply involved in architect John Lautner’s commission for the Bob and Dolores Hope Residence (1979) on Southridge.

© Myung Chun Los Angeles Times
© Myung Chun Los Angeles Times