As early as 1853, Indian Wells was the site of a thriving Cahuilla Indian village in which a well was constructed to serve as a source of water for the local tribes. This well shows up on the early state and railroad maps and became an important icon in the history of the area. Indian Wells received it’s name from this water hole. A decade later, when gold was discovered along the Colorado River, William D. Bradshaw built a trail from Los Angeles through the desert to the gold mines, stopping at the Indian well as a watering point along the way. The well served as the watering hole for prospectors, pioneers and stage line passengers along the famous Bradshaw Trail. There are recorded references to stopping for water at the “Indian Well.
The 1920s welcomed the arrival and expansion of the date growing industry to the area. Over the next few decades settlers gradually arrived and the date ranches became profitable. In the 1950s the town experienced another growth spurt with the opening of the first golf courses, the Eldorado Country Club and the Indian Wells Country Club.
It was in 1957 that Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball opened the Indian Wells Hotel (forerunner to the Indian Wells Resort Hotel) on a site that would later become the club’s 11th and 12th fairway. Just three years later, a youthful Arnold Palmer won the first Bob Hope Desert Classic at the legendary golf course. Hollywood legends as Desi Arnaz, Frankie Avalon, Ray Bolger, Kirk Douglas, James Garner, Harry James, Zeppo Marx and of course Bob Hope, all played in the inaugural golf event, along with President Eisenhower, a regular Indian Wells visitor and later Eldorado homeowner.
When the city of Palm Desert attempted to incorporate in 1965, its original plan was to include Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage. Before Palm Desert could file its papers, Citizens for Incorporation for Indian Wells filed its own petition in order to avoid the annexation by Palm Desert. On July 14, 1967, Indian Wells became California’s 400th city. Since being incorporated, Indian Wells has spent many years on the Top Ten List of highest per-capita income cities in California. Although not prominent in retail, Indian Wells is alternatively a resort destination and an ultra high-end country club community. Indian Wells is also recently being discovered by a younger urban crowd eager to indulge in the sophisticated solace.
Nestled within the scenic and secluded mountain coves, Indian Wells is home to four world class resorts: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, the Miramonte Resort & Spa, the Indian Wells Resort Hotel and the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa. Together they cover spectacular 360 degree mountain views and feature numerous leisure and corporate amenities.
The city is the also the proud host of the BNP Paribas Open, one of the nine tournaments in the ATP World Tour Masters 1000. The event is held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, constructed in March of 2000 and locally owned by desert resident Larry Ellison of Oracle. The Indian Wells Tennis Garden encompasses approximately 88 acres and includes a 16,100-seat Stadium court, 11 match courts, 6 practice courts, and 2 Har-Tru clay courts. The stadium court is the second largest tennis stadium in the world. In addition to hosting internationally televised world class tennis competitions, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden’s stadium and grounds also pose as a state of the art performing venue hosting such artist as Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, The Who, The Eagles and Tom Petty. The NBA has also played pre-season exhibition games at the stadium.
Indian Wells is home to six outstanding luxury residential country clubs which offer a broad range of amenities for homeowners including golf courses and tennis courts, fitness centers, spas, and social/educational programs. These private clubs serve as part time homes to the influential and the elite, such as resident Bill Gates. Both the City of Indian Wells and its residents remain active in local philanthropy and support symphonies and museum programs as well as lecture series presented by world leaders, former US presidents, CEO’s and newsmakers.
This magnificent residential resort destination, in the heart of the Coachella Valley, is a community where caring residents and a progressive city government play an active role in ensuring that Indian Wells maintains the highest possible quality of life.
