Palm Springs Historical Society

The Palm Springs Historical Society offers historical tours focusing on Palm Springs’ historic neighborhoods, distinguished by a combination of the celebrities and local pioneers who called them home and the architects and builders who shaped their development. They offer walking tours and biking tours.

The Society also operates two museums and a Research Library.

The McCallum Adobe (built in 1884) and the Cornelia White House (built in 1893) are the two oldest buildings in Palm Springs. The Welwood Murray Memorial Library (1940) is the archives and research library. The library also provides visitor information.

The McCallum Adobe is the town’s oldest building, built in 1884 for the first permanent white settler, John Guthrie McCallum. John was the first to bring water to the desert by constructing a stone-lined ditch that brought water from Tahquitz Canyon to his ranch. In the late 1890s he formed the Palm Valley Land and Water Company. Come in and delve into the storied past of Palm Springs. Rotating and permanent Exhibitions and memorabilia on display, plus a bookstore.

Cornelia White House was built in 1893, made entirely of “recycled” railroad ties taken from the Palmdale Railroad. Come in and walk through the home staged from the 1900s. Experience early desert living. Cornelia Butler White was an important Palm Springs pioneer. She was the founder of the Desert Museum. Graciously donating the land for this Palm Springs treasure.

All proceeds from our historical tours benefit The Palm Springs Historical Society, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization since 1955.