President Gerald Ford and Rose Queen Maria Lynn Caren took publicity photographs at Ford’s Thunderbird, Rancho Mirage home for the 1978 Tournament of Roses Parade.
The Ford’s post-White House home was designed by Welton Becket, who was the architect of the Capitol Records Building and the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood. Becket also designed Bullock’s Wilshire in Palm Springs, later torn down to make way for the Mercado Plaza, a new retail development.
President Ford was the Grand Marshall for the 89th Tournament of Roses Parade.
There is a multitude of ways to learn more about 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.
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