Nestled in the scenic hills of Desert Hot Springs sits Cabot Yerxa’s masterpiece and lifelong dream – his beloved Hopi-inspired pueblo.
He began building the pueblo in 1941 out of mostly found materials collected throughout the desert, and continued to work on the pueblo until his death in 1965 at age 81.
Cabot’s Pueblo covers an impressive 5,000 square feet, divided into 35 rooms, and adorns 150 windows and 65 doors. No two doors or windows are alike.
A set of 24 solar panels on a nearby hillside provides electric power to the museum.
In 2012, the building’s historic value was named to the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring Yerxa’s legacy of Hopi-inspired architectural and green pueblo design.
The museum also contains countless artifacts from his travels, and his own personal collection of Native American Crafts.
See related story: Explore Desert Museums
The grounds of the Pueblo Museum include a self-guided or docent-led tour where you’ll discover the history and creative wonderment of the site.
Stroll from the Pueblo to the Studio House where Cabot encouraged artists to stay and work, to the Altar in the Wilderness – Meditation Garden, to the Waokiye carved Redwood Sculpture by Peter Toth, as part of his “Trail of Whispering Giants,” to the Trading Post Gift Shop, where you will find an eclectic collection of paintings, pottery, and jewelry.
In the words of Cabot himself, “There is no place, just like this place, anywhere near this place, so this must be the place.”
For more information on the site and for a more in-depth story coverage, visit Valley-wonders.tumblr.com
Like what you're reading? Then "Like" us on Facebook and "follow" us on Twitter.
VIDEO: Hear from Cabot Yerxa and see the wonder of his 5,000 square feet museum.
