The building of the Agua Caliente Spa and Hotel was the first real estate transaction of its kind in the United States after Congress passed the General Leasing Act of 1955.
The all-female Agua Caliente Tribal Council consisting of Vyola Ortner, Gloria Gillette, Eileen Miguel, Dora Prieto and LaVerne Saubel leased the eight-acre site, located in the heart of the Agua Caliente reservation, to Samuel Banowit and Palm Springs Spa Inc.
The partnership led to the construction of the Agua Caliente Spa and Hotel including a 30,000 square foot health center that was built directly on the spot of the ancient hot mineral springs and a 131-room hotel.The entire project was completed in 1963 at a cost of 4.2 million. At the time of completion, the three-story hotel was one of the tallest buildings in the city.
There is a multitude of ways to Explore Palm Springs, which turned 75 in 2013. One of the more intriguing methods is by exploring Palm Springs history.
The Palm Springs Historical Society will share a weekly story whose time and place corresponds with today.
The Palm Springs Historical Society is located at 221 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
Visit www.pshistoricalsociety.org for more information.