Blog – Page 3 – Palm Springs Preservation Foundation

Snyder Residence

Post author By user
Post date January 25, 2024

John C. and 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 May 12, 2026, the Palm Springs city council unanimously approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Snyder Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steve Vaught, and homeowner Steve Scott, made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On April 7, 2026, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend to city council approval of the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Snyder Residence. Nomination author and PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught, and homeowner Steve Scott, spoke in support of the nomination. The HSPB received more than 20 public comments in support of the designation.

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

Grants and Sponsorships

Palm Springs City Hall Historic Landscape Report

Post author By user
Post date January 25, 2024

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).

Grants and Sponsorships

John Porter Clark Research Project

Post author By user
Post date January 25, 2024

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.

Grants and Sponsorships

Helena Arahuete Exhibition

Post author By user
Post date October 5, 2023

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.

Grants and Sponsorships

Albert Frey Exhibition

Post author By user
Post date October 5, 2023

Grants & Sponsorships

Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist – January 13 - June 3, 2024 SPONSORSHIP

On April 1, 2024 Michael Hinkle, the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Associate Director of Advancement, reported that 2,500 visitors had taken advantage of PSPF’s sponsorship of Free Admission to the Frey Exhibition during Modernism Week (February 15-25, 2024).

“Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist” opened to the public on January 13, 2024 to rave reviews.

PSPF is proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the exhibition “Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist” at the Palm Springs Art Museum’s Architecture and Design Center, Edwards Harris Pavilion. A “comprehensive” exhibition about the modernist architect, the retrospective, curated and designed by former PSPF board member Brad Dunning, presents rare and previously unexhibited architectural models, drawings, films, photographs, and furniture.

As part of PSPF’s presenting sponsorship, there will be free admission to the exhibition during Modernism Week 2024 (February 15-25, 2024).

Courtesy Palm Springs Art Museum

Historic Sites

Merrill Lynch Building

Post author By user
Post date September 26, 2023

HISTORIC SITES

Merrill Lynch Building 415 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The two-story 1971 Merrill Lynch Building was architect Donald Wexler’s very successful foray into “New Formalism,” a style which blended modernism and classicism. Wexler’s large building (13,000 square feet) commands a prominent site on South Palm Canyon Drive in the city’s financial district. The building’s temple-like design, rigid use of symmetry and massive columns, combine to evoke a sense of gravity, authority, stability, and permanence. All perfect attributes of a financial institution.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 24, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (3-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Merrill Lynch Building. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made compelling public comment in support of the designation.

On September 3, 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 Merrill Lynch Building.

On September 13, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 59-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Merrill Lynch Building to the city of Palm Springs.

In June of 2021, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Merrill Lynch Building to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Merrill-Lynch-Courtesy-Scott-Timberlake_w

Grants and Sponsorships

Star for William Charles Tanner

Post author By user
Post date March 9, 2023

Grants & Sponsorships

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
SPONSORSHIP

On February 24, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation sponsored the 456th star on the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars for artist and architectural designer William Charles Tanner. The star is sited on the north side of the Palm Springs Art Museum, Architecture and Design Center.

Tanner’s many contributions to the city’s built environment include the Desert Inn (since demolished), the O’Donnell House, Invernada, and the Community Church. PSPF board member Gary Johns led the charge to recognize the architect arguing that the city’s architectural heritage “stood on the shoulders” of Tanner’s Spanish Colonial Revival buildings of the 1920s and 1930s. PSPF was honored to have many of Tanner’s relatives attend the star dedication. The VIPs were regaled with speeches by former mayor and PSPF honorary board member Will Kleindienst, PSPF member Steve Scott, and others. As part of the ceremony, art collectors Mickey Welch and Lou Armentrout donated a painting by Tanner entitled “Near Lone Pine” (circa 1920s) to the Palm Springs Historical Society.

Click the image above to read the entire handout.

Grants and Sponsorships

R. M. Schindler Research Project

Post author By user
Post date December 1, 2022

Grants & Sponsorships

R. M. Schindler Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

On January 9, 2023, the PSPF board was briefed by Luke Leuschner on his research progress regarding modernist architect Rudolph Schindler’s work in the Coachella Valley. Included in his briefing were hitherto unknown vintage family photographs of the Popenoe Cabin.

On October 4, 2022, PSPF sent a letter formalizing the grant arrangement with Leuschner. The grant was designated the “Fourth Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant” in honor of the late PSPF board member who made significant contributions to the public’s understanding of the Coachella Valley’s built environment. The working title of the prospective grant product is R. M. Schindler and the California Desert. To read the PSPF grant letter click here.

On October 3, 2022, the PSPF board was extensively briefed by architectural researcher Luke Leuschner on modernist architect R. M. Schindler’s work in the Coachella Valley. Leuschner talked about the hitherto untapped quantity of archival material available on the topic and proposed that PSPF consider supporting a book on the topic. After some discussion by the board, the decision was made to confer a $6,000 research grant to Leuschner to conduct research on architect Schindler’s seminal work in the Coachella Valley.

Courtesy Patrick McGrew

Historic Sites

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence 701 North Patencio Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

One of the first houses in Old Las Palmas, the Hicks Residence was built in 1926 by pioneer builder Alvah Hicks as a spec house. The Hicks family lived in the house, selling it in 1929 to Anna Trischman Pryor and her sister Elizabeth. It was next sold in 1931 to Beatrice B. R. Moore, wife of diplomat Thomas Ewing Moore. She sold the house in 1936 to Charles Crane and his wife Cornelia. Charles Crane was a wealthy American businessman, heir to the Crane Plumbing fortune, and connoisseur of Arab culture. Crane died in the house in 1939.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On May 23, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (4-0) approved the Class 2 Historic Resource designation of the Hicks Residence.

On April 2, 2024, the city’s Historic Site Preservation Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend to city council approval of the Class 2 Historic Resource designation of the Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence. PSPF board member and nomination author Steven Keylon made public comment in support of the nomination.

On March 27, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 80-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Hicks Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In June of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence to PSPF board member Steven Keylon.

Historic Sites

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence

Post author By user
Post date August 19, 2022

HISTORIC SITES

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

The Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence is a rare intact example of the early work of John Porter Clark, one of Palm Springs’ most important and influential architects. Today, renowned as one of the founders of “Desert Modern,” Clark was nonetheless highly skilled with traditional styles as desired or, in the case of Smoke Tree Ranch, required by clients. Completed in 1937, the Burnham-Overly Residence is a classic rendition of Ranch House Revival, a style which would gain great popularity in Palm Springs in the years following World War II. Its design was so well received, the owners of Smoke Tree Ranch used it in advertisements for the development in the late 1930s.

REFERENCES

Read the nomination

On October 10, 2024, the Palm Springs city council unanimously (3-0) approved the Class 1 Historic Resource designation of the Burnham-Overly Residence.

On September 11, 2023, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation (acting as agent for the owners) submitted the 76-page Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Burnham-Overly Residence to the city of Palm Springs.

In July of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.

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

REFERENCES

Palm Springs City Hall Historic Landscape Report Grant

John Porter Clark Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

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

Albert Frey: Inventive Modernist – January 13 - June 3, 2024 SPONSORSHIP

Merrill Lynch Building 415 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, CA 92264

REFERENCES

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262SPONSORSHIP

R. M. Schindler Research Project Patrick McGrew Memorial Research Grant

Alvah and Teresa Hicks Residence 701 North Patencio Road, Palm Springs, CA 92262

REFERENCES

Ralph Burnham-Gertrude Wells Overly Residence 1850 Smoke Tree Lane, Palm Springs, CA 92264

REFERENCES

William Charles Tanner, Star on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars 300 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA 92262
SPONSORSHIP