PRESERVATION SESSIONS

This Preservation Session covers Melissa Riche's @ModernismWeek talk about significant architecture in Rancho Mirage, California that’s been lost to demolition or aggressive remodels in the last 40 years. The 1930s and 1940s homes by Albert Frey and John Porter Clark are among the casualties. Frey’s Hatton Residence was lost to developers in the 1970s, and there have been numerous casualties in more recent times including, of course, the legendary Maslon House by Richard Neutra. Although the pace of losses has slowed somewhat, preserving the city’s important architecture is more important than ever. Many who could not attend the Modernism Week talk in person asked if Preservation Mirage would host a virtual Preservation Session, a great opportunity to learn more about Rancho Mirage's rich architectural history.

Whether you live in a home built in the 1930s or the 1990s, you have likely wondered about who lived there, who designed it, and what is its history. Whether you live in a small or large condominium complex, or in a single-family home at a country club, your home and community have their own interesting history. We live in a fascinating area of southern California, popular with the rich and famous for decades, and where people have made considerable contributions to the local community or to the nation. One of these influential residents might have lived in your home. Your house could be eligible for a historic designation if it meets local criteria. Preservation Mirage is proud to present its next online Preservation Session on ‘How to research your home’s history,’ with recent examples of unique and unusual discoveries, explanations of the historic research resources available at little or no cost, and demonstrations of how to get started on uncovering more about your home. Melissa Riche, founder and current president of Preservation Mirage, has written numerous historic nomination documents on behalf of homeowners in Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs, in the process of uncovering a previously unknown A. Quincy Jones house, identifying an important 1930s Palm Springs house, and obtaining historic designation for a 1970s home.

E. Stewart Williams, FAIA was a prolific Palm Springs architect whose distinctive modernist buildings significantly shaped the Coachella Valley’s architectural landscape and legacy. In 1946 Stewart Williams arrived in Palm Springs to join his father, Harry, and his brother Roger in architectural practice. One of his first projects was designing a house for Frank Sinatra called ‘Twin Palms.’ Subsequently, he designed additional homes in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. Sidney Williams, former curator of architecture and design at the Palm Springs Art Museum and daughter-in-law of Stewart Williams, will discuss Stew’s Rancho Mirage projects. Primarily focusing on the Kenaston House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and locally on Rancho Mirage’s list of historic properties. It is a story of a house that retains its character and authenticity as each successive owner takes on a respectful stewardship of the home.

Preservation Mirage is delighted to host a holiday season special of Preservation Sessions, featuring local luminary, historian, founder of PS Modcom, owner of ‘Modernway’ and preservationist extraordinaire: Courtney Newman. Like many of us, Courtney is fascinated by the celebrities who made Rancho Mirage and the Palm Springs area their resorts of choice in the 1950s and 60s, so he knows more than most about what went on. He will present stories and fables from the golden age of the desert when some of Hollywood’s most talented and often funniest stars decided to bring their larger-than-life personalities to the desert. Courtney explains: “The mid-century modern architecture of our desert cities is only the beginning of the story of what made this such a magical place during the mid-century. The creative people who commissioned and lived in these works of art were a story unto themselves!”

Local author, historian, and raconteur, Steven Price presents: Johnny Dawson: Pioneer of Fairway Living This Preservation Mirage Preservation Session on the far-reaching influence of the lifelong and highly successful amateur golfer, real estate and golf course developer. Known in Rancho Mirage for Thunderbird Country Club, Dawson didn’t stop there. His entrepreneurial spirit and delight in the game of golf proved to be the ideal recipe to almost single-handedly turn the Palm Springs area into the ‘Winter Golf Capital of the World’ from the 1950s – 1970s. Steven Price will focus on what made Johnny Dawson such a significant influence, from Thunderbird to Eldorado, Seven Lakes, Marrakesh, and more. Steven is a well-known historian, author of ‘Trousdale Estates,’ and a history of Marrakesh Country Club – produced for the club. He is currently working on a book about the work of John Elgin Woolf. Price is an eloquent speaker and expert on all things midcentury, now based in the desert.

Catherine Cody, whose long-awaited book on the work of her father William F. Cody was just published, will be in conversation with Preservation Mirage’s Melissa Riche. Entitled ‘Master of the Mid-Century,’ Catherine Cody co-authored this stunning book with Jo Lauria and Don Choi. As many of you know, Cody’s work in Rancho Mirage was prolific and acclaimed. We’re fortunate that many examples of his work are still standing, although several have been lost to remodeling and demolition since the 1980s. This session will be a fascinating insight into some of the homes we’ve lost as well as some of Catherine Cody’s favorites from her father’s exceptional legacy, with photos and illustrations as well as conversation.

Discover where and how ‘Rancho Mirage’ came to be during this deep dive into the history of the city. Before there were country clubs, there was an empty desert, and a small subdivision that exists to this day; originally called ‘Rancho Mirage’ it became what we know today as Magnesia Falls Cove. Join Preservation Mirage founder, and author of ‘Mod Mirage,’ Melissa Riche for insights into the city’s history, with images and information that show how a small group of homes grew into a community, then a city, from the 1930s to the city’s incorporation in 1973. Melissa Riche has undertaken in-depth research that reveals the different styles of homes that were built by successive developers, giving it the fascinating diversity now seen in Magnesia Falls Cove and featured in a Preservation Mirage tour during @ModernismWeek in 2022.

From the moment Arthur Elrod opened his design and furnishings studio on Palm Canyon Drive in 1954, he became the most influential interior designer in the desert. Join us with author Adele Cygelman as she discusses Arthur Elrod’s innovative interiors, which included a wide range of projects in Rancho Mirage, from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s home at Thunderbird Country Club to condos at Tamarisk West to estates in Thunderbird Heights.

Melissa Riche, founder of Preservation Mirage and author of ‘Mod Mirage,’ presents the history and architecture of Tamarisk Country Club. Opened in 1952, its history is based on the ‘unrestricted’ nature of its early ownership. The original founders of Tamarisk Country Club were Jewish emigres from Europe who started the Hollywood entertainment industry and were members of the legendary Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles. Its success was secured when Frank Sinatra chose to buy a house on the Tamarisk fairways in 1954 and it became his primary residence for the next 40 years. Homes included the famous Maslon Residence by Richard Neutra (demolished in 2002) and the iconic gull-wing Maranz Residence by Val Powelson.