Palm Springs in Riverside County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Palm Springs Desert Museum

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 11, 2022

1. Palm Springs Desert Museum Marker

Inscription. The Palm Springs Desert Museum, founded in 1938, has occupied three distinct locations in downtown Palm Springs. This building, designed by local architect, E. Stewart Williams, AIA, was first opened in 1976. Williams then design an expansion that was completed in 1996. The architecture acknowledges the quality of desert light, the colors of the landscape and the mood created by its site at the base of Mt. San Jacinto. The building borrows color from the sunburned patina of mountain rock while its simplicity and massiveness relate to the imposing backdrop. The architectural aesthetic enhances the appreciation of the objects and space within the Museum environment.

Erected by Annenberg Foundation. (Marker Number HSPB-35.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 33° 49.454′ N, 116° 32.972′ W. Marker is in Palm Springs, California, in Riverside County. It is on West Museum Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Palm Springs CA 92262, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles,

in the Coachella Valley,

and in the Peninsular Ranges.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Palm Springs Desert Museum (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Desert Inn

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(about 400 feet away); The Willows (about 400 feet away); Lykken’s Department Store (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site of First Community Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oasis Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Welwood Murray Memorial Library (approx. 0.2 miles away); The O'Donnell Golf Course (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palm Springs.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Desert Inn (was about 800 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 11, 2022

2. Palm Springs Desert Museum Marker

Marker is located to the right, off image.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 11, 2022

3. Palm Springs Desert Museum Marker

Marker is located to the right of the sculpture, at the base of the stairs.

Photographed by Adam Margolis, September 11, 2022

4. Palm Springs Desert Museum Marker

Adjacent plaque

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 291 times since then and 14 times this year. Last updated on January 30, 2024, by Robert Holmstrom of Rocklin, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.