Before we ever moved here, to the low desert of California, the Palm Springs area, I lived in the outskirts of Los Angeles. My parents started coming to Palm Springs on vacation and eventually bought a small hotel there. The same hotel Mr. NightSky and I were to own much later (and more disasterously).
Let’s take a look at 1961:
Here I am modeling a quite fetching hat, in front of the mid-century modern architectural landmark Sherman’s Deli. You’d be able to see it today, except that the city tore it down shortly after this, to replace it with . . . an empty lot. And it’s still an empty lot. Now, that’s progress.
My dad and I (giggling girlishly), also in front of Sherman’s. Ah, that hat. I do remember being quite taken with it. My Dad looks awfully dressed up for a vacation lunch!
And, finally, Mom and I. She looks pretty cute, huh? Check out that cool straw purse! I wish I had those sunglasses today. And we’re both wearing Keds! Unfortunately, I still have the hat.
Here’s publicity shot of Sherman’s. A great site to check out, if you like Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern and Palm Springs history: http://psmodcom.org/
Back at the hotel. I wish I knew what hotel this was. Probably on the main drag, Palm Canyon, and at the north end, when you come into town. Remember when public pools REQUIRED swim caps? Torture! But at least mine is nicely color-coordinated.
On these driving trips, we traveled from Downey or Tustin to Palm Springs in my Dad’s TR6 (this is not an actual photo of my Dad’s car, but his was red, just like this one). Yes, I traveled the freeway dangerously stuffed in the flimsy back seat with no seatbelt and with a so-called TOP that would crush if you simply leaned against it. Carefree days of youth!
This photo is undated, but I’m guessing maybe the next year? And this hotel is definitely on North Palm Canyon, and is still there (sorry, don’t know what it’s called now). I really enjoyed that pool. Here I am striking the model pose. I still remember that bathing suit (and there’s the required swim cap tossed cavalierly off to the side of the pool)–it was something like a wool blend, so when it got wet it STAYED wet. And stayed scratchy. Must have been on sale.
Dad and I really enjoying ourselves, as you can see. We’re showing off that we have the same hairline. This location is at the corner of Palm Canyon and Tahquitz–right smack dab in the middle of downtown Palm Springs. I think this is where the Starbucks is now. Across the street behind us you can see Louisa’s Pantry, a local landmark that of course was forced to move to Palm Desert and go out of business. And, the Plaza movie theatre, now home to the Palm Springs Follies stage show (only during season, vacant the rest of the year). This was a fabulous movie theatre, must have been built in the 40s, and the interior looks like an exterior stage set, complete with “stars” in the sky/ceiling. I saw Jaws there, and The Godfather, and more. Back then Palm Springs had two movie theatres downtown, both on Palm Canyon (I saw Earthquake and Chinatown at the other). Plus the Camelot Theatres in the east end of town. (Planet of the Apes, The French Connection).
So, it’s strange from time to time, living here. I see the past and the present, what used to be and what is. Good memories, bad memories, people who are still in my life, and those who are dead now. But all these “new” people–what are they doing here, in MY Palm Springs?
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