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Like No Other Place: Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders

The Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders: California’s Iconic and Lost Pasts

Tuesdays from December 3 to December 17, 2023

This series looks at the quintessential California aspects of our most iconic lost and endangered historic places. Part 1 takes participants on a fast-paced tour of California's Wild West boomtowns, ghost towns, and famous movie sets, with expert insights into these frontier locations, both real and cinematic. Part 2 dives into the hidden histories of Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs, uncovering their transformation from luxurious resorts to forgotten relics, along with their legends and mysteries. Part 3 explores the architectural grandeur and cultural impact of San Francisco’s legendary department stores, revealing their influence on cityscapes and retail history.

All programs below are FREE and open to the public, including:

  1. Part 1: Boomtowns, Ghost Towns, and the Silver Screen: A Fast-Paced Tour of California's Frontier Sites | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM
  2. Part 2: Healing Waters, Hidden Histories: Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs Unveiled | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM
  3. Part 3: Architectural Splendor: How Department Stores Shaped American Cities | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

This program also highlights are annual silent auction!

Win Big! Bid on related food, drink, and fun experiences at our fifth annual Awesome Auction where dozens of items will be available for you to win (bidding ends on December 19th)
Feeling lucky? Donate, upgrade your membership, or join CPF to receive raffle tickets for our highlighted signature items.
Celebrate Tradition. Be part of the fun. Follow us on our social channels (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) to receive special virtual ‘gifts’ each day.

Part 1: Boomtowns, Ghost Towns, and the Silver Screen | Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

Join us for a rapid-fire visual tour of California’s Wild West boomtowns, ghost towns, and iconic movie sets, led by expert historians and architects who know these sites inside and out. From the abandoned mining towns of Death Valley to the famous film locations of Paramount Ranch and Pioneertown, this fast-paced program uncovers the rugged landscapes and storied past of the state’s frontier history and aesthetic. Get a glimpse of the towns that rose and fell with the Gold Rush, and hear expert commentary on the film sets that brought the Wild West to life on screen. These iconic locations, both ‘real’ and ‘imagined’ are quintessential California.

Presented by...

  • Daniel Paul, Architectural Historian and Consultant for the Pioneertown National Register Nomination
  • David Hertz, FAIA, SEA Studio
  • Ben Loescher, AIA LEED AP, Loescher Meachem Architects
  • Linda Greene, Retired National Park Service Historian and co-author of "A History of Mining in Death Valley National Monument - California-Nevada"
Part 2: Healing Waters, Hidden Histories | Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

In this fascinating program, explore the rich history of two of California’s most famous water spring resorts: Byron Hot Springs and Paradise Springs. Byron Hot Springs, once a lavish resort in the late 1800s and early 1900s, attracted wealthy visitors seeking the curative powers of its mineral waters. Over time, it evolved into a military interrogation site during World War II, adding layers of intrigue to its past. Paradise Springs, tucked away in the San Gabriel Mountains, was a retreat for celebrities and elites, known for its secluded beauty and rejuvenating waters.

Learn about the natural forces that created these springs-based escapes and the unique role they played in California's history. The program also delves into the legends and lore surrounding these sites, from tales of healing and mystery to their transition into forgotten relics of a bygone era. A must-see for history enthusiasts and those curious about California’s hidden past.

Presented by...

  • Carol Jensen, Historian and Author of "Byron Hot Springs." East Contra Costa Historical Society
  • Justin Chapman, Award-winning Journalist and Author of "The Hedonistic History Of Paradise Springs, Where Early Hollywood Went Wild."
Part 3: How Department Stores Shaped American Cities | Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 12 - 1 PM

Join us for a captivating journey into the golden age of San Francisco’s grand department stores, featuring historian and author Anne Evers Hitz. In this program, Hitz will share fascinating stories from her books, Lost Department Stores of San Francisco and Emporium Department Store, detailing how iconic stores like City of Paris, I. Magnin, and The White House once shaped the city’s identity and retail culture.

We will also dive into the architectural innovations and stylistic trends that made these grand stores the jewels of urban landscapes. Together, they’ll uncover the rise, transformation, and lasting legacy of these retail palaces that defined 20th-century America.

This program uncovers the rise and fall of these commercial giants, delving into their social and architectural significance while celebrating their lasting legacy. Perfect for anyone interested in architecture, retail history, or the cultural fabric of San Francisco.

Presented by...

  • Anne Evers Hitz, Freelance Writer, descendant of one of the Emporium's founders, and Author of "Lost Department Stores of San Francisco."
  • Other speakers to be announced. 
November 26nd to December 17th | Annual Awesome Holiday Auction - Benefits CPF Programs

Bid on items to support CPF while winning awesome, architecture- and California-inspired auction items. Special stays and trips, event tickets, books from our book club program, rare prints, and other unique items. Don't miss it! Bidding will open Tuesday, November 26th and ends on Tuesday, December 17th at 8 PM. Keep your eyes peeled for future additions and updates!

Four (4) Daytime Tickets to Descanso Gardens
Ending in: 13 days 9 hours 044 seconds
$40.00 USD
Reserve price has been met.

(Enter 50.00 or more)
Like No Other Place: Wild West, Hidden Waters, Retail Wonders

When

Dec 03, 2024 - Dec 17, 2024    
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Event Type

This set of four (4) tickets gives access to you and your friends or family to the full Descanso Gardens Landscape, which is designated on the National Register of Historic Places and featured in our Holiday series of programs in 2022. A $60 value!

Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California landscape distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. Descanso Gardens is a place of year-round natural beauty, with internationally renowned botanical collections and spectacular seasonal horticultural displays. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums as a museum of living collections, Descanso Gardens welcomes more than 950,000 visitors annually. The principal collections include California native plants and oak woodlands; one of the largest collections of camellias in the Western Hemisphere; a rose garden with specimens from all corners of the globe; and significant presentations of lilacs, maple trees, cherry trees and iris.

Current daytime hours: 9am–5pm daily.

Tickets are required for non-members to enter Descanso during daytime hours. Please note that daytime admission does not include entry into Enchanted Forest of Light Tickets can be purchased on-site at the Visitor Center or online.

Photos Courtesy X_Tine, Matthew-Dillon, Bored_Grrl (Flickr Creative Commons)

About the Author

The California Preservation Foundation is a network of more than 15,000 members and supporters who are committed to protecting our shared architectural and cultural heritage. We are a leader in preservation education and advocacy, responding to hundreds of requests for assistance and training more than 1,500 people each year.