The Desert Hot Springs Historical Society is set to inaugurate its new premises, the historic "Pil O Rox" Rock House, with a grand opening and dedication ceremony next week.
As per an announcement by the Desert Hot Springs Historical Society on Facebook, the festivities are scheduled for January 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at their new address at 66050 Third Street in Desert Hot Springs. The event promises live music, refreshments, as well as displays of artifacts and historical art exhibits.
A news segment by NBC Palm Springs in September 2022 revealed that the Rock House, spanning over 1,300 square feet, was constructed in 1946 by Lee Watkins using local natural resources. It stands among the first buildings erected in Desert Hot Springs. The historical society acquired the house in 2019 and it was subsequently declared a historical landmark by Riverside County a year later.
According to information on the Desert Hot Springs Historical Society's website, in 2023, the City of Desert Hot Springs contributed $25,000 towards renovation costs of the Rock House. An anonymous benefactor also provided a matching grant.
The website further states that the society was established in 1963 and incorporated in 2007. As a non-profit organization under section 501(C)(3), its mission is to preserve, acquire and display Desert Hot Springs' history. Among its accomplishments listed on the site are informational cards, pictures for city office displays and a soup supper program featuring presentations on historical topics.