Borrego Springs, San Diego County, California, USA."The Palms at Indian Head" are aptly named. California Fan Palms, Mexican Fan Palms and Date Palms are in abundance at the base of the "Indian Head Mountain" and "Palm Canyon" in the San Ysidro Mountains of Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
The mountain was originally named by the Cahuilla Indians as Rain In The Face. From a distance the Indian Head (higher peak on the left) very much looks like an Indian with headdress on looking straight up into the sky.
The Palms at Indian Head is located at the site of the Old Hoberg Resort, the first major lodging facility in Borrego Springs. Built in 1947, the 20 acre resort was a favorite getaway for Hollywood stars in the 1950's. Past guests include Charles Laughlin, Leo Carrillo, Andy Devine, Clark Gable, Lon Chaney Jr., Will Rodgers, Bing Crosby, James Arness, Frank Morgan, Marilyn Monroe, just to name a few.The property featured a small aircraft landing strip, an oversized Olympic size pool, cocktail lounge, restaurant, bungalow retrests, horseback riding, shuffleboard and tennis.
The original lodge burned to the ground in 1958 as a result of a hot water heater explosion on the second floor. The present lodge was built in the same year in the international "modern style" of that period and opened as The Borrego Palms Resort.
Over the years the resort had several different owners and uses; a nudist retreat, a school for handicapped children and a detention facility for bad boys. Since its last use the property sat empty and fell into disrepair. The 56 bungalow retreats were considered a fire hazard by the fire marshall and the owner at the time was told to bring the units up to code or demolish them. Most of the units were demolished.
In November of 1993 the property was purchased by the current owners. Since then a remarkable transformation has been done to the main building and swimming pool.
More "then" and "now" photos:
