LA QUinTA's Rich History
The ancient Salton Sea, the Cahuillas, the ranches, the Bradshaw Trail, the La Quinta Hotel, celebrities, the Desert Club, PGA West…are all part of La Quinta’s rich history. We invite you explore La Quinta and discover why it’s such a special place.
La Quinta is nearly surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains and is located on at the floor of the Coachella Valley. When the floor of the valley began to sink, it was covered by the Pacific Ocean. Over a period of hundreds of years, the Colorado River flowed into the Gulf of California and formed a large delta fan. Silt basin deposts grew higher and winder until the basin was cut-off from the ocean, whil the mountains on both sides grew higher. When the Colorado River changed its course five hundred years ago, the east Coachella Valley flooded creating the freshwater Lake Cahuilla. Today you can still see the lake's water line today along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
The Desert Cahuilla Indians, hunters and gatherers, were the first ancestors of the La Quinta area. They were one of a few Native American tribes who dug wells. The Cahuilla Indians still exist today.
The first scheduled trains began operating between Los Angeles and Indio in 1876, as the Indio area had a plentiful water supply. Farmers were able to get their vegetables, melon, citrus and date crops to metropolitan areas. La Quinta's climate was ideal for growing exotic dates, sween corn, Bermuda onions and Thompson seedless grapes.
As travel to the desert became easier, Los Angeles residents began making trips to the area. When La Quinta incorporated in 1982, it was named for the La Quinta Resort which had been established in 1926.
The City of La Quinta is a booming with a growing population, as well as a large seasonal population of "snow birds." There are retail stores along Highway 111 and Washington Street, the Old Town Village area with boutique shops and restaurants, hotels, and a variety of recreational and cultural activities.
Quick FAQ's:
- La Quinta in Spanish means "the fifth;" also "quinta" is a type of hacienda.
- La Quinta is 32 square miles of land and water.
- La Quinta is 56 feet above sea level.
- Median age for La Quinta is 36.4
- Population is 44,421 permanent residents (as of 1/1/10); and 17,645 seasonal (2009).
- The total number of houshoulds - 15,293.
- Median income is $76,227.
- Average temperature is 75 degrees.
- Average rainfall is less than 5 inches.
- La Quinta has 25 golf courses, 11 parks and several miles of bike and hiking trails.
- Official bird - Gabel's Quail (Lophortyx gambelii).
- Official flower - Purple Sand Verbena (Abronia villosa).
- Official tree - Smoke Tree (Dalea spinos).
La Quinta Museum
The La Quinta Museum is located near La Quinta’s Old Town and features artifacts and specimens from La Quinta's history. The museum has undergone a major expansion. The new museum offers school tours, family programming, special events and much more!
If you have questions or would like to make a donation, please contact:
La Quinta Museum
77-885 Avenida Montezuma
La Quinta, CA 92253
ehylton@la-quinta.org
(760) 777-7156
“La Quinta: A Legend in the Making”
As tribute to the city of La Quinta’s 25th Anniversary, the city commissioned the production of a book especially dedicated to documenting the history of La Quinta. The book titled, “La Quinta A Legend in the Making” by Victoria J. Bailey and Gayl Biondi, is a beautiful hardbound collection of stories and photos that together commemorate 25 years of success. The book retails for $30 and is available at Barnes & Noble along with several locations in La Quinta such as the City Hall, La Quinta Library, La Quinta Museum, La Quinta Resort & Club, and La Quinta Mail Box. The cover and table of contents are provided below.
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