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 to explore La Quinta and discover why it’s such a special place. La Quinta is nearly surrounded by the Santa Rosa Mountains and is locatedon 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 deposits grew higher and wider until the basin was cut-off from the ocean, while the mountains on both sides grew higher. When the Colorado River changed its course 500 years ago, the east Coachella Valley flooded creating the freshwaterLake Cahuilla. 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, sweet corn, Bermuda onions, and Thompson seedless grapes.
As travel to the desert became easier, Los Angeles residents began making trips to the area. When LaQuinta incorporated on May 1, 1982, it was named for the La Quinta Resort whichhad beenestablished in 1926.
The City of La Quinta isbooming 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.
Click the image below to view/download the Historical Sites & Tour Map!
Quick Facts:
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La Quinta in Spanish means "the fifth;" also "quinta" is a type of hacienda
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La Quinta is 32 square miles of land and water
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La Quinta is 56 feet above sea level
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Median age is49.6
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Permanent population is 37,846
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Total number of households: 16,292
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Total number of housing units: 24,643
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Median householdincome is $83,412
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Average temperature is 75 degrees
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Average rainfall is less than 5 inches
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La Quinta has 25 golf courses, 16 parks, and several miles of biking and hiking trails
The La Quinta Museum is located near La Quinta’s Old Town and features artifacts and displays about La Quinta's history as well as the area's cultural arts. The museum offers school tours, family programming, special events and much more! Call 760.777.7170 or visit www.playinlaquinta.com/arts-culture/la-quinta-museumfor more information.
If you have questions or would like to make a donation, please contact:
Sharla Fox
La Quinta Museum
77-885 Avenida Montezuma
La Quinta, CA 92253
sharla.fox@rivlib.net
(760) 777-7170
www.facebook.com/LaQuintaMuseum
I am a seasoned enthusiast with a deep understanding of the historical intricacies surrounding La Quinta, California. My expertise spans the geological evolution of the region, the indigenous peoples who first inhabited the area, the development of transportation and agriculture, and the growth of La Quinta into the vibrant city it is today.
Let's delve into the rich tapestry of La Quinta's history, starting with the ancient Salton Sea. The Salton Sea, a prominent feature in the region, played a crucial role in the geological formation of the area. Over hundreds of years, the floor of the Coachella Valley sank and was once covered by the Pacific Ocean. The Colorado River, flowing into the Gulf of California, formed a vast delta fan. The subsequent shift in the river's course led to the flooding of the east Coachella Valley, creating the freshwater Lake Cahuilla.
The Desert Cahuilla Indians, the first inhabitants of the La Quinta area, were adept hunters and gatherers. Notably, they were among the few Native American tribes that dug wells. Evidence of Lake Cahuilla's existence can still be observed today along the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, marking an enduring imprint of this ancient water body.
Transitioning to the more recent past, the advent of scheduled trains in 1876 between Los Angeles and Indio significantly influenced La Quinta's development. The region's abundant water supply facilitated the transportation of crops, including vegetables, melons, citrus, and dates, to metropolitan areas. La Quinta's climate proved ideal for cultivating exotic dates, sweet corn, Bermuda onions, and Thompson seedless grapes.
Fast forward to May 1, 1982, when La Quinta officially incorporated, taking its name from the La Quinta Resort, established in 1926. Today, the city boasts a thriving community with a growing population and a substantial seasonal influx of "snow birds." Retail stores, boutique shops, restaurants, hotels, and various recreational and cultural activities contribute to the city's dynamic atmosphere.
The city's identity is encapsulated in its Spanish name, meaning "the fifth" or referring to a type of hacienda. Spanning 32 square miles, with a median age of 49.6, a permanent population of 37,846, and a median household income of $83,412, La Quinta stands at 56 feet above sea level. The city enjoys an average temperature of 75 degrees and receives less than 5 inches of rainfall annually. Notably, it boasts 25 golf courses, 16 parks, and an extensive network of biking and hiking trails.
For those interested in delving deeper into La Quinta's history, the La Quinta Museum, located near Old Town, serves as a treasure trove of artifacts and displays. From school tours to family programming and special events, the museum offers a comprehensive exploration of the city's cultural heritage.
In conclusion, La Quinta's history is a fascinating journey from its geological origins to its current status as a thriving city, and my extensive knowledge allows me to guide you through every chapter of this remarkable story.
