Palm Springs Part 2: Some History...
Our history lesson desire took us to Smoke Tree Ranch, a successful resort operation for more than eighty years.
When Walt and Lillian first expressed an interest in buying a lot on which they could build a home, the Colonists, as Smoke Tree Ranch Residents are called, were highly skeptical. However, even though Colonists feared Walt would expect special treatment because of his Hollywood status, their fears were unfounded. In 1948, the first Disney house was built by William Cody, a famous architect known for his mid-century modern style. The Disneys enjoyed several years at this residence until his dream for Disneyland forced him to sell off his assets. Among other things, Walt sold off his property at the ranch to help finance "the happiest place on Earth".
How many of you remember the Upjohn Pharmacy located on Main Street? Did you ever wonder why it was there? It has an interesting tie-in to Palm Springs. Wild right? Faced with the need to raise funds for Disneyland, selling his home at Smoke Tree Ranch wasn't enough. He also asked fellow Colonists if they would like to invest in the new enterprise, but most turned him down. However, one fellow Colonist and good friend of Walt’s did agree to invest in the Park – Donald S. Gilmore, CEO of The Upjohn Company, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Upjohn Pharmacy located on Main Street, USA, was a meticulously designed pharmacy of the 1880s. Though a pharmacist was on duty, it wasn’t a functioning pharmacy, but acted more as an advertisement for Upjohn and added a much-needed source of income for Disneyland. Who knew?
I love this description, said of Walt about this unique place, "For the man who loved a simple meal of chili, the love of his family and a story well told, the openness of the desert and understated nature of Smoke Tree Ranch fit Walt as comfortably as a pair of old boots."
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