La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District DPR Report
DPR 523L (09/2013)
Identifier: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District Date Constructed: 1935-1950
UTM Zone: 11S, Point 1: 563294; Point 2: 563982; Point 3: 564166; Point 4: 563726 mE; Point1: 3723447; Point 2: 3723450; Point 3:
3726076; Point 4: 3726416 mN
Neighborhood: The Cove
Tract: Santa Carmelita Unit 1, Santa Carmelita Unit 2, Santa Carmelita Unit 5, Santa Carmelita Unit 6, Santa Carmelita Unit 9, Santa
Carmelita Unit 10, Santa Carmelita Unit 11, Santa Carmelita Unit 12, Santa Carmelita Unit 14, Santa Carmelita Unit 15, Santa
Carmelita Unit 16, Santa Carmelita Unit 17, Santa Carmelita Unit 18, Santa Carmelita Unit 19, Santa Carmelita Unit 20, Santa
Carmelita Unit 21, Santa Carmelita Unit 22, Santa Carmelita Unit 23, Santa Carmelita Unit 24, Santa Carmelita Unit 25, Santa
Carmelita Unit 26, Santa Carmelita Unit 27, Santa Carmelita Unit 28
Owner and Address: N/A
Updated Description: The La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District is located within the Santa Rosa Cove and encompasses all
units of the Santa Carmelita de Vale subdivision between Calle Tampico to the north, Avenida Bermudas to the east, Calle Tecate to
the south, and Avenida Montezuma / Bear Creek to the west. The thematic historic district contains 79 contributing properties,
almost entirely single-family residences. Of the contributing properties, most are original "casitas" developed between 1935 and
1941 developed by the La Quinta Building and Lumber Company in the style of the La Quinta Hotel casitas built between 1926 and
1927. The casitas were largely constructed in "L' or "I" shaped property types in the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Other intact
Spanish Revival type homes built from 1935 to 1950 contribute to the significance of the La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District.
Homes constructed within the Cove during the period of significance in other architectural styles do not contribute to the
significance of the proposed district because they do not exemplify the original vision of Harry Kiener, who designed the Cove as a
vacation home development complimenting to the architectural style of La Quinta Hotel. Two commercial buildings in the Village
commercial district, Harry Kiener's administration building for the Palm Springs Land and Irrigation Sales Office and Guy Maltby's La
Quinta Building and Lumber Company building, are contributing properties to the thematic historic district that are also individually
significant.
Of the 57 original casitas surveyed by Mellon and Associates in 1997, all 57 dwellings were re-recorded with the street marker
obelisks. Of the re-recorded dwellings, 3 were significantly altered (6Z); 29 were identified as contributing properties (5D2); and 25
were found to appear to be eligible for local designation, both individually and as a contributor (5B). There are 47 total properties
listed as solely contributors (5D2) to the updated historic district and 32 total properties listed as contributors that appear to be
potentially individually eligible (5B). There are now 79 total contributing properties for the proposed La Quinta Cove Thematic
District.
Status Code 5D2:
Obelisks
51377 Avenida Carranza
51489 Avenida Martinez
51397 Avenida Navarro
51431 Avenida Navarro
51453 Avenida Navarro
51607 Avenida Villa
51662 Eisenhower Drive
51215 Avenida Rubio
51495 Avenida Diaz
51653 Avenida Juarez
77177 Avenida Montezuma
51991 Avenida Morales
51830 Avenida Morales
51946 Avenida Cortez
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 053
ý Update
Resource Name: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
Page 1 of 5
DPR 523L (09/2013)
51835 Avenida Diaz
51787 Avenida Alvarado
51782 Avenida Obregon
51813 Avenida Vallejo
51877 Avenida Vallejo
52228 Avenida Mendoza
52217 Avenida Martinez
52031 Avenida Velasco
52100 Avenida Ramirez
52123 Avenida Diaz
52159 Avenida Juarez
52383 Avenida Ramirez
52379 Avenida Mendoza
77842 Calle Ensenada
52426 Avenida Mendoza
52486 Avenida Mendoza
52375 Avenida Bermudas
52720 Avenida Carranza
52555 Avenida Carranza
52860 Avenida Obregon
52813 Avenida Carranza
52835 Avenida Martinez
53120 Avenida Velasco
53444 Avenida Obregon
53855 (53835) Avenida Mendoza
77618 Calle Colima
77450 Calle Chillon
54200 Avenida Cortez
54211 Avenida Obregon
54160 Avenida Vallejo
54391 Avenida Rubio
54415 Avenida Rubio
Status Code 5B:
77895 Avenida Montezuma
77885 Avenida Montezuma
51001 Eisenhower Drive
51095 Avenida Vallejo
51133 Avenida Vallejo
51262 Avenida Ramirez
51290 Avenida Carranza
51333 Avenida Ramirez
51407 Avenida Velasco
51411 Avenida Villa
51537 Avenida Herrera
77495 Calle Hidalgo
51733 Avenida Madero
51775 Avenida Madero
51842 Avenue Diaz
51802 Avenida Martinez
51780 Avenida Villa
52031 Avenida Villa
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Resource Name: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
Page 2 of 5
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 053
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
52155 Eisenhower Drive
52217 Eisenhower Drive
51872 Avenida Herrera
52042 Avenida Herrera
52057 Avenida Rubio
52519 Avenida Mendoza
52493 Avenida Villa
52337 Avenida Navarro
52301 Avenida Bermudas
52333 Avenida Bermudas
77619 Calle Ensenada
52693 Avenida Obregon
52862 Eisenhower Drive
52830 Avenida Navarro
Updated Significance: A prior survey by Mellon and Associates first evaluated the district in 1997 and assigned the status code
5D1 - Contributor to a multi-component resource that is listed or designated locally. However, City of La Quinta records indicate that
the La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District was never formally designated. The 1997 survey also did not specifically list any
applicable national, state, or local criteria for evaluation. Mellon and Associates listed the period of significance for the Cove from
1920 to 1950 and included 57 of the original 94 houses constructed within the Cove within that time period as contributors.
The Cove was initially recorded as a thematic district, which is a group of contributing resources that are related to one another by a
common theme within the context of the city's history. In the case of the Cove, the contributing properties were directly related to
the context of early residential development in La Quinta and the theme of Spanish Revival style architecture for homes and
commercial properties within the new community. Thematic district resources, like those in the Cove, are not required to be linked
geographically, and are collectively more valuable than each individual resource.
The Cove was the first comprehensive residential subdivision within the La Quinta community until 1960, when the Highland Palms
and Indian Springs neighborhoods were platted. The implementation of the Cove subdivision, Village commercial district, and
Desert Club development began the formal transition of La Quinta from a remote agricultural settlement to a community with a
residential center. It established the heart of La Quinta for future developments to grow around and expand during the 20th century.
The thematic district is amended to a 5S2 status code: Individually eligible for local listing or designation. Because development in
the Cove did not begin until 1935, the period of significance for the La Quinta Cove Thematic District is modified to 1935 to 1950. The
thematic district is not found to be eligible for the National Register or the California Register. The neighborhood was built out
gradually and the architectural styles that are represented span ten decades, there is no adequate concentration of contributing
properties and there is no cohesive streetscape that is representative of a specific time period.
The district is eligible under Local Criterion B (events), as it is associated with significant events or patterns of events in local history.
The La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District is directly related to the Residential Development (1934-1970s) theme and possesses
documented significance related to this theme. It is not eligible under Local Criterion B (persons), as it has not been identified as
having an association with an important person. The district is not eligible under Local Criterion C, as it does not embody the
distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction; and not eligible under Local Criterion D, as further study of
the district would not appear to yield information which could be considered important in local, regional, state, or national history.
The district was found to be eligible under Local Register Criterion A, as it exemplifies a special element of the City of La Quinta - the
first residential subdivision within the boundaries of the city constructed with Spanish Revival style homes. Finally, the district is
eligible under Local Register Criterion E, as a geographically definable area possessing concentration of buildings, structures, and
improvements linked historically through location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, in which the
collective value of the improvements is greater than the value of each individual improvement. Despite additions, repairs, and
alterations to contributing buildings, many of the homes in the La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District retain their essential form
and maintain their integrity of location, setting, design, feeling, and association.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Resource Name: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
Page 3 of 5
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 053
ý Update
DPR 523L (09/2013)
The Cove Neighborhood_1: View west of signage for the Cove along 52nd Avenue. The sign states "Welcome to Historic La Quinta
Cove."
The Cove Neighborhood_2: Aerial image of the Cove neighborhood. The Cove is located in the west side of La Quinta.
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 5S2
Urbana Survey No: 053 Resource Name: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
Page 4 of 5
DPR 523J (09/2013) *Required Information
*Map Name: La Quinta *Scale: 1:24,000 *Map Date: 2021
State of California — The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
LOCATION MAP
Primary#:
HRI #: None
Trinomial: N/A
CRHR Status Code: 5S2
Other Listings: Urbana Survey No. 053 Resource Name: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
Page 5 of 5
La Quinta Cove
Thematic
Historic District
primary -.4
HRi #
Trinomial
NRHP Status Code 17.7
Date:
'age 1 of 8
resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
P1. Other Identifier:
P2. Location: ❑ Not for Publication ❑ Unrestricted a. County Riverside
b. USGs 7.5' Quad La Quinta Date 1980 T 06S : R 06E; _114 of 114 of Sec B. M.
C. Address City La Quinta Zip 92253
d. UTM: !Give more than one for large and/or linear feature] Zone mE1 mN
e. Other Locational Data: (e.g. parcel If, legal description, directions to resource, elevation, additional UTMs, etc. as appropriate}
*P3a. Description. (Describe resource and its major elements. Include design, materials, condition, alterations, size, setting, and boundaries.)
The Cove is La Quinta's first residential subdivision. La Quinta's Context 3, "Village and Cove
Development" includes the theme: Cove 1920-1950.
Two major property types and three minor types were identified in the survey analysis. The two major
property types are the Spanish Colonial Revival "L" (with Pueblo Revival influences) and Spanish Colonial
Revival "I" type houses. Minor property types are variations on the Spanish Colonial Revival style and include
Pre -WWII Simple Linear houses, Two-story houses and Post -WWII Basic Bungalows. (Low visibility due to
high walls, fences, shrubs, etc. limited categorization of some structures.) "L" property type characteristics of
form are, besides the "L" shaped plan; one-story elevation; low pitched roof; complex roof (gable and shed);
cross gable wing with roof forming integral porch; projecting garage wing, battered with shed roof; vigas
(Pueblo Revival influence); original garage door land opening; and tapered chimney with top. (See
Continuation Sheet)
*P3b. Resources Attributes: (List attributes and codes)
-A Resources Present: ❑ Building ❑ Structure
❑ Object ❑ Site 12 District ❑ Element of District i7 Other (Isolates, etc.)
P5b. Description of Photo: (View, date, etc.)
AMP
*P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources:
❑ Prehistoric 2 Historic ❑ Both
*P9. Date Recorded: /20/1997
*P10. Survey Type: (Describe)
*P11. Report Citation: (Cite survey report/other sources or "none") C ity of La QE inta Historic Context Statement 1996
*Attachments: ❑ NONE ® Location Map
❑ Archaeological Record 0 District Record
❑ Photograph Record ❑ other: (Lista
❑ Sketch Map ® Continuation Sheet ❑ Building, Structure and Object Record
❑ Linear Feature Record ❑ Milling Station Record ❑ Rock Art Record ❑ Artifact Record
DPR 523A (1195) 'Required information
Y.
State of California -- The Resources Agency...:: Primary #
DEPARTMENT OF PARIS AND: RECREATION..... HRI:d
DISTRICT RECORD Trinomial
Page 2 of 8 *NRHP Status Code
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
D1. Historic Name:
D2. Common Name:
*D3. Detailed Description: (Discuss overall coherence of the district, its setting, visual characteristics, and minor features. List all elements of district.):
The Cove Historic District includes 57 of the original 94 houses built in the Cove subdivision, the first
major residential development in the City, between 1935 and 1950. These houses share the Spanish
Colonial Style, a choice derived from the La Quinta Hotel development of 1926-27 which gave La Quinta
a place of its own in the Coachella Valley. The characteristics of these Cove houses echo the casitas of the
La Quinta-Hotel. It was necessary to have an automobile to access this desert area and the development of
the houses acknowledge this with the incorporation of garages into the design of the houses. Although the
houses now appear dispersed as a result of the nearly completed build -out of the subdivision, they are
related to each other by integrity of style and property type. (See Continuation Sheet)
*D4. Boundary Description: (Describe limits of district and attach map showing boundary and district elements.):
Bounded by Calle Tampico on the north, Avenida Bermudas on the east, Calle Tecate on the south, and
Avenida Montezuma and Bear Creek on the west.
*D5. Boundary Justification:
Nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, The Cove subdivision was officially recorded as the
Santa Carmelita de Vale subdivision. The area was subdivided by E.S. "Harry" Keiner in 1933-1937 as the
City's first residential development. (See Continuation Sheet)
*D6. Significance: Theme Cove Development Area La Quinta
Period of Significance 1920-1950 Applicable Criteria N/A (Discuss district's importance in
terms of its historical context as defined by theme, period of significance, and geographic scope. Also address the integrity of the district as a whole.)
The development of the La Quinta Hotel in 1926-27 and its immediate success set the stage for the
evolution of La Quinta from an agricultural community of homesteads and ranches in the early 20th
Century to a growing City in the late 20th Century. The Hotel, designed by renowened architect Gordon
Kaufmann in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, became a popular tourist destination. After the
Depression years, the residential development potential of La Quinta was seen by E.S. "Harry" Keiner
who acquired the Cove lands and between 1933 and 1937 subdivided the whole area. To stimulate sales of—
the parcels, Keiner created a "weekend home"/seasonal concept. He had developed the Peter Pan
Woodland Club in Big Bear, a seasonal resort of homes and amenities including a clubhouse. Keiner
envisioned members summering in Big Bear and wintering in La Quinta. Most importantly, Keiner saw the
Desert Club concept as a promotional incentive for his lot sales program. In 1937 Keiner built the Desert
Club adjacent to the Cove subdivision. Between 1935 and 1937 almost 40 houses were built in the Cove
area. Originally featured as fully furnished weekend homes, the houses accommodated visitors attracted to
the area for the Hotel, the desert environment, or the reciprocal Club privileges. Soon year-round residents
began to acquire homes and establish a community. (See Continuation Sheet)
*D7. References: (Give full citations including the names and addresses of any informants, where possible.):
(See Continuation Sheet)
*DB. Evaluator: Pam O'Connor/Vicki Steigemeyer Date: 09/04/1997
Affiliation and address: Mellon and Associates Riverside CA
DPR 523D (1/95) `Required information
State of California
B: BSC+uTCCS'-&nC]f Rfi3tla.ry+'#
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND R ECREAl'1C]A1`
LOCATION MAP Ttinonligl--------------
Page 3 of 8
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District _
*Map Name: La Quinta Cove *Scale: 1/4" = 1/2mi *Date of Map: 1996
DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information
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DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary �!
DEPARTMENT of PARKS:AiVDRECREATION HAI
CONTINUATION SHEET 7rinomial.•
Page 4 of 8 *Recorded by Pam O'Connor/Vicki Steigeme er *Date 10/20/1997 ® Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
P3a. (Cont.) Materials of the "L" type are: red clay tile roof; stucco clad walls; original wood garage
doors with Z or strap timbering; heavy rustic wood lintel over garage door opening; multi -paned
casement windows. Characteristics of "I" property type form are, besides the "I" shaped plan:
one-story elevation; low pitched roof; cross gable roof; central open court at front; wing walls on some
buildings; tapered chimney with top; and battered garage wing. Materials used in this property type
are: red clay tile roof; vertical wood siding in roof gable; stucco clad walls; original wood garage
doors with Z or strap timbering; heavy rustic wood lintel over garage door opening; and multi -paned
casement windows.
The minor property types are variations on the Spanish Colonial Revival types and the names are
descriptive of variation. The Two -Story Houses group includes the few 2 -story houses built in the
Cove. Pre -WWII Simple Linear Houses have a less complex form, usually a simple straight plan. Post
WWII Basic Bungalows are simple in plan with less elaborate detailing.
List of contributing buildings is _on pages 5 and 6.
Table 1
Houses in Cove by Year Built and Type
Year
#Built
#Listed in Survey
L*
1*
1935
4
3
2
1
1936
16
12
3
6
1937
25
21
10
7
1938
7
5
1
3
1939
2
1
1
0
1940
7
5
0
2
1941
2
1
1
0
Total
63
48
1946
1
0
1947
5
3
1948
13
5
1949
12
1
Total
31
9
* Note. Low visibility (due to high walls, fences, shrubs, etc_) limited categorization of some structures.
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary 4
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION: HRI #
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 5 of 8 *Recorded by Pam O'Connor/Vicki Steigemger *Date 10/20/1997 p Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: La uinta Cove Thematic Historic District
NR CODE
LOCAPON
ADDRESS
BLRLT TYPE
STYLE
5D1
Cove
Oblisk Street Signs
1935
Urban Design
5D1
Cove
51-802
Martinez
1935 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-351
Navarro
1935't
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-407
Velasco
19351 L
Span Col Rev
5D1
lCove
51-842
Diaz
1936 1
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-123
Diaz
1936 L
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-159
Juarez
1936 1
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-775
Madero
19361
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-217
Martinez
1936 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-486
Mendoza
1936 H
Span Cal Rev
5D1
Cove
52-519
Mendoza
1936 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
77-177
IMontezuma
1936
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-991
Morales
19361
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-782
Obre on
1936 1
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-095
Vallejo
19361
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-031
Villa
1936
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-301
Bermudas
1937
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-333
Bermudas
1937 1
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-375
Bermudas
1937 1
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-290
Carranza
1937 H
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-377
Carranza
1937 1
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-813
Carranza
1937 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-835
Diaz
1937
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-155
Eisenhower
1937
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-862
Eisenhower
1937 L
Span Col Rev
5b1
Cove
51-537
Herrera
1937 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-042
Herrera
1937 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
77-495
IHidal o
1937 L
,S an Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-733
Madero
19$7 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove -
51-262
Ramirez
1937 1
:Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-333
Ramirez
19371
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-383
Ramirez
1937
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-215
Rubio
1937 L
San Col Rev
;5D1
Cove
52-057
Rubio
1937 1
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-$77
Valle'o
19371
San Col Rev
I5D1
Cove
51-411
Villa
1937 L
San Col Rev
15D1
Cove
51$07
Villa
1937 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-787
Alvarado
19381
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-495
Diaz
1938 L
San Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-001
Eisenhower
1938
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
77-619
Ensenada
19381
San Col Rev
4
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California -- The Resources Agency Primary{
DEPARTMENT OF.PARKS.AND RECREATION NRi #
CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial
Page 6 of 8 *Recorded by Pam O'Connor/Vicki Stei e�me, ems_ *Date 10/20/1997 0 Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
NR CODE
LOCATION
ADDRESS
BUILT TYPE
STYLE
5D1
Cove
51-984
Herrera
19381
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-693
Obregon
1939 L
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-217
Eisenhower
19401
Span Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-337
Navarro
1940
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
54-391
Rubio
19401
S
an Col Rev
5D1
Cove
54-415
Rubio
1940
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-555
Carranza
1941 L
San
Col Rev
501
Cove
52-720
Carranza
1947
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-426
Mendoza
1947
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-860
Obre on
1947
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-653
Juarez
1948
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-835
Martinez
194$
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
52-444
Mendoza
1948
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
53-835
Mendoza
1948
Span
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
51-453
Navarro
1948
San
Col Rev
5D1
Cove
53-120
Velasco
19491
Span Col Rev
15D1
Cove
51-662
Eisenhower
1940
San
Col Rev
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California -• The Resources Agency
DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
CONTINUATION SHEET
Primary #
WRI'N
Trinomial
Page 7 of 8 *Recorded by Pam O'Connor/Vicki Steigemeyer *Date 10/20/1997 p Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
D3. (Cont.) The Cove received its name from its isolated location, nestled in a valley surrounded on
three sides by the Santa Rosa Mountains. The lots (typical single lot size 50' x 100') of the Santa
Carmelita de Vale subdivision (the formal name of the Cove development) were subdivided between
1933 and 1937. Streets were laid out in a grid pattern. Parcels in the large area, almost 3/4 mile wide
by 2 miles long, were sold through a lot sales program. The vastness of the desert open space which
drew early residents was reflected in lot choices which were positioned long distances from each other.
The Village, located in the northeast corner of the Cove, provided services to the residents of the
Cove.
Housing construction began in 1935 and continued until the beginning of WWII when scarcity of
materials and rising costs stopped all building efforts. Housing construction resumed after the War.
Approximately 94 houses were constructed between 1935 and 1950. The monumental growth of the
Coachella Valley and La Quinta resulted in the building out of the Cove over the second half of the
20th century. Relatively few of the Cove lots are unbuilt today. As a result, there is no visual linkage
between the historic homes as a streetscape.
Thematically there are two major groupings of houses and strong relationships among the 94 buildings
constructed before 1950. Forty-eight of the 63 houses built in the pre -WWII years (1935-1941) are
listed in this survey. Nine of the 31 post -WWII homes (1946-1949) are identified in the survey. Two
principal designs were identified: the "L" type and the "I" type of house. Thirty percent of the
pre -WWII houses identified in the survey were "L" types and another 30% were "I" types.
D5. (Cont.) The area has geographic integrity, based on land forms and historical significance as the
first residential subdivision. Fifty-seven of the original 94 houses built between 1935 and 1950 are
located within these boundaries.
D6. (Cont.) The houses were built in the Spanish Colonial Revival style popularized by the La Quinta
Hotel. The small Cove houses were similar in style and scale to the casitas at the Hotel. Locally
produced materials, such as the Joe Valenzuela Roof Co. tiles, were used both at the Hotel and in the
Cove, reinforcing design similarities.
Forty-eight of the original 63 pre -WWII Cove residences are included in the survey. While many of
the buildings have experienced some modification over the decades (additions, repairs, alterations) the --
buildings retain integrity of form, design and materials. Many of the older parcels include mature
vegetation including specimen plantings.
D7. (Cont.) References
City of La Quinta General Plan, 1992.
City of La Quinta Master Environmental Assessment, 1992.
City of La Quinta, Village of La Quinta Specific Plan, 1988.
La Quinta Historical Society, "La Quinta." Los Angeles: Young and McCallister, Inc, Press, no date
(reprint)
La Quinta Historical Society, The History of ... La Quinta, "The Gem of the Desert," 1990.
DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information
State of California The Resources Ageney Primary .# .
DEPARTMENT OF -PARKS AND RECREATION
Hill •.!.'
CONTINUATION SHEET
Trliriomial
Page 8 of 8 •Recorded by Pam O'ConnorNicki Steigeme er *Date 10/20/1997 ® Continuation ❑ Update
*Resource Name or #: La Quinta Cove Thematic Historic District
La Quinta Historical Society, Presenting La Quinta, 1943, Palm Springs Land and Irrigation Co.,
Reprint, 1991.
La Quinta Historical Society, Remembering the Desert Club, 1995.
Mouriquand, Leslie. La Quinta Context Statement, City of La Quinta, 1996.
Personal Interviews: Alice Bailes Bell, Fred Rice, Joe Wassel, Roxie Yessayian, 1997.
Sniff, Stanley. City Councilmember, notes on file in the City of La Quinta Community Development
Department.
Spence, Gretchen Maltby, Buy Sherman Maltby, no date (unpublished biographical manuscript).
DPR 523L (1/95)
*Required information