When Sandy Brinley and her husband Bob, of Bass Lake, Calif., scanned through the local newspaper to find things to do in the area, they were immediately drawn to the celebrity homes walking tour hosted by the Palm Springs Historical Society.
“We wasted no time and signed up for the tour,” the couple says.
VIDEO: Hear from tour guide Roger Freeman on what the walking tour reveals.
The tour showcases and highlights some of Hollywood’s famous celebrities homes of the vintage era, like Sinatra, Cary Grant, Dinah Shore, and Cary Grant.
Not only does the tour highlight the celebrities that resided there, but it also showcases a variety of distinct architecture, from the mid-century modern designs of E. Stewart Williams, Donald Wexler and William Cody to the 1920’-30’s Spanish Colonial Revival style homes.
The tours offers a little something for everyone, including a little bit of Hollywood gossip to share with your friends.
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Invernada Estate - 657 Via Miraleste - Home to Tillie Lewis, the 'Tomato Queen', an American businesswoman who introduced the canned tomato to California. This sprawling Spanish estate takes up one entire block in the Movie Colony.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
Roger Freeman and the tour group stand in front of the Frank Sinatra home. Roger shared the infamous fight stories between Sinatra and wife Ava Gardner.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
Frank Sinatra Twin Palms- 1145 E. Via Colusa - Originally Frank asked architect E. Stewart Williams to design a classic Georgian-style home, but thankfully he provided Frank with two designs, and the latter midcentury modern one prevailed.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
The Abernathy Home - 611 Phillips Road - Designed in 1962 by architect William Cody for the Abernathy family, the property sits on a one-acre parcel in the center of the Movie Colony District.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
Actor Rory Calhoun, best known for his Western movies, had this 1963 Hollywood Regency style home designed by architect James McNaughton.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
Kathy Leonard and Roger Freeman say the Movie Colony District has so many celebrity vintage homes because of its proximity to the old El Mirador Hotel (now Desert Regional Hospital) where the stars partied.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
1033 E. Via Colusa - Architect Hugh Kaptur designed numerous residences in Palm Springs including the William Burgess home.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'
Photo by Maria Zang
Harold Lloyd Home - 899 N. Avenida Palmas - The 1930s comedian and silent movie star had this 1925 Spanish Colonial style home built as his second vacation home.
Palm Springs Historical Society Tours 'Frank Sinatra Neighborhood'