Explore Palm Springs: Deepwell Neighborhood

Melba Bennett penned announcement beckoning friends to return

Nicolette Wenzell History

 

Near where the Deepwell neighborhood now sits off East Palm Canyon Drive in South Palm Springs was once a very popular destination: Deep Well Guest Ranch.

Run by Melba and Frank Bennett, and Dorothy and Philip Boyd in the 1940s, the ranch was a  success story. Melba Bennett was active in the Palm Springs community and founded the Palm Springs Historical Society. Philip Boyd was also Palm Springs' first mayor.

Every year, Melba would send out announcements beckoning visitors back to Deep Well after the ranch's summer hiatus. Melba always created all the graphics for these mailings herself, and composed a witty and fun limerick for each message.

Here is the artwork and the verse Melba created for the 1942 season.

Note the absence of Frank Bennett due to serving in the Army during World War II.

As Palm Springs celebrates its 75th anniversary, there are a multitude of ways to learn more about this desert treasure. One of the more intriguing methods is by exploring the city’s history.

Weekly, the Palm Springs Historical Society will share a story whose time and place corresponds with today.

The Palm Springs Historical is located at 221 S. Palm Canyon Drive. For more information, visit www.pshistoricalsociety.org