The following had been originally researched and presented by Tracy Conrad, the President of the Palm Springs Historical Society.
The name “Rancho Mirage” was born from the vision of Louis McLaughlin “Mac” Blankenhorn, a prominent Pasadena businessman, and his wife, Ruth Anderson Wheeler. Blankenhorn, who loved the desert’s endless sunshine and wildness, had laid out the meandering streets of his expansive ranch, preserving the breathtaking vistas of the surrounding mountains. He built his home in 1929, designed by Garrett Van Pelt, as a weekend escape from city life.
In June 1935, after marrying Ruth, the couple moved into a new house on their vast desert property, dreaming of creating a new desert neighborhood. When it came time to name the development, Ruth recalled the pioneering spirit of weary travelers searching for water and shade. She suggested the name “Rancho Mirage,” a title that evoked a sense of elusive beauty and desert mystique. The name was met with unanimous approval, marking the beginning of what would become the thriving community of Rancho Mirage we know today.
