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Over the years information is lost to history - some of it
important, some not. In the Borrego Valley, there are many
buildings where the names of designers and builders have been
lost - at least temporarily. As more research is done, we
hope to put names and faces to the mid-century modern legacy
of the community.
Borrego Palms Resort (1958) (The Palms at Indian Head)
Built in 1947, Hoberg's Desert Resort was the Borrego's
Valley's largest and most important resort to capitalize
on the growing tourism business associated with the Anza
Borrego Desert State Park. After a series of ownership changes
through the 1950's, it was renamed the Borrego Palms Resort.
On April 22, 1958 a gas hot water heater above the beauty
shop exploded, the resulting fire gutting the main building.
It was reported in the Borrego Sun that the flames
lit up the Valley floor. 1
The Resort was able to re-open a month later, moving the
offices, lobby and coffee shop into an existing small building
near the pool. The resort had a large number of rooms that
were in cabins and outbuildings that survived the fire.
For the resort to continue long term, the owners committed
to rebuilding the main building. This time it would be in
a modern design, the contract for construction being awarded
to local builder Hal Martinez. There is speculation about
who may have designed the building, however at the present
time there are no known records to collaborate who is the
designer.
The present owners purchased the resort in 1994 and began
renovations. At the time the building had been largely abandoned.
Today it retains many of its original features, including
terrazzo floors and expanses of glass with spectacular views
and one of the largest pools in the Valley.
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