McCallum Adobe, the oldest building in Palm Springs, was constructed in 1884 by Judge John Guthrie McCallum but today it houses The Palm Springs Historical Society and a wealth of informative exhibits. Located in Downtown Palm Springs on Palm Canyon Drive, this little building is home to documents, photos, exhibits and memorabilia from all chapters of Palm Springs history.
The lobby of the little museum displays a history of The Chi Chi Club with artifacts, menus, photos and even band instruments from the once nationally known hot spot. Make sure to listen to the background music because The Palm Springs Historical Society owns live recordings of entertainers performing at The Chi Chi Club. Entertainers include Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Liberace. The tapes capture a moment in time and can only be heard at The McCallum Adobe since the recordings are not available for sale or purchase.
Palm Springs: Then and Now is a video presentation of photographs donated by architect E. Stewart Williams from 1946 alternating with the same location as it currently appears. Four notebooks under the video display contain the collection of more than 250 photographs documenting then and now views of every building from 500 N. Palm Canyon Drive to 200 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
The center of the exhibit room features history lessons on two Palm Springs Pioneers, Melba Bennett and Charlie Farrell. Bennett was the founder of The Palm Springs Historical Society, part owner of Deep Well Ranch, author and legendary local hat maker. Farrell, of course, was an actor and television personality but he also owned the famed Racquet Club and was Mayor of Palm Springs from 1948 - 1953.
A multitude of photographs are displayed throughout the museum including iconic buildings and their construction, Hollywood celebrities, political figures and more. With such a colorful past it is amazing the entire time line of such a resort town like Palm Springs can be brought to life in this one tiny structure.
Next to The McCallum Adobe is The Cornelia White House which was built in 1893 and moved to its current location on Palm Canyon Drive in 1979. The house was constructed of railroad ties salvaged from a failed narrow-gauge rail line connecting the Southern Pacific depot at Garnet to South Palm Springs. White lived in the property until 1959 before falling ill. She died on September 28, 1961. The house has been restored and decorated as White would have lived in the mid 20th century.
The McCallum Adobe is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Sunday hours are 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Admission is $1.00 per person per museum and money collected is used to cover operation costs. Donations area also accepted.
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