The Desert Inn was established in 1909 by village pioneers Dr. Harry Lee Coffman (1867-1935) and Nellie Norton Coffman (1867-1950), along with their two sons George Roberson, Jr. (Nellie's son from a previous marriage) and Owen Earl Coffman. The Desert Inn started as a sanitarium in the tiny, unincorporated town called Palm Springs, and was originally a place for those afflicted with tuberculosis. In 1914 Nellie decided a change was needed and she converted the business into a hotel. Dr. Harry was in disagreement and not at all happy with this decision, and he and Nellie eventually divorced. The good doctor soon left Palm Springs and practiced medicine in Coachella Valley, and later in San Diego County, where he passed away in 1935. During this time, the Desert Inn was becoming a world-renowned resort hotel catering to the very wealthy, which included well-known millionaires such as the Vanderbilt and Hearst families. Nellie and her sons continually added to the hotel property, and by 1927 a modern hotel had replaced the earlier structures, becoming a white-walled, Indian-Spanish inspired landmark complete with red-tiled roof and wide verandas of terra cotta, the gardens boasting of the best of desert flora. The Inn was run by Nellie and her sons for decades, and Nellie's ability, determination, and charm extended the resort's reputation which brought people from all over the world to this fine establishment. Nellie's love and charitable works for the community earned her the title of "Mother Coffman". The famed Desert Inn closed its doors in 1955 after Nellie's death, and was finally razed in 1967, making way for the Desert Fashion Shopping Plaza. Photograph caption dated February 26, 1949 reads, "Sunshine and fashions combined forces for the premiere showing of Ben Reig's spring and summer collection at Palm Springs. This model wears a brown and white striped cotton frock with yoke, sleeves and pockets of wide rick-rack." The J.W. Robinson Co. presented this event at the Desert Inn.
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Image
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1 photographic print :b&w ;26 x 21 cm. Photographic prints
Reig, Ben J. W. Robinson Co Desert Inn (Palm Springs, Calif.) Fashion shows--California--Palm Springs Hotels--California--Palm Springs Models (Persons)--United States Fashion--United States Palm Springs (Calif.) Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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