Cabot Yerxa was Born in the Dakota Territories in 1883, and possessed a creative
pioneering spirit that led him to homestead what was seemingly barren desert.
A one time prospector, merchant and postmaster, Cabot moved to California in
the early 1900s to invest in orange groves, but a freeze in 1913 spurred him inland to the
present site of Desert Hot Springs California.
Cabot spent his time exploring the desert land, and established a homestead on 160 acres. A sufficient water supply proved to be a daunting obstacle, but Cabot built a one room cabin called "Eagles Nest". The inconvenience of the long and hot treks for water steeled his determination to find his own water supply. He invested in well digging material, and dug until he hit a hollow stone floor.
Temperatures in the hole indicated that he was near a natural hot water supply. He reached a depth of 36 feet, and found 132-degree water. Two wells (approximately 600 yards apart) were found. One produced hot water and the other produced cold water, prompting Cabot to name the location Miracle Hill.
Two later events ensured Desert Hot Springs' growth and success.
In 1917, the State of California announced its intention to build a road through the desert to Blythe, the border town between Arizona and California. Cabot and
other desert residents successfully convinced the legislature that because of the strong winds and blowing sands, the road should be built north of the railroad rather that through Palm Springs. The road eventually became Highway 60-77-99 (Varner Road), the present scenic route through the desert. In 1937, the first scientific analysis of the water was done, and the therapeutic value of the waters Cabot discovered became widely known.
Cabot coaxed Los Angeles businessman L.W. Coffee to develop the land, and then coffee formed a profitable trust for the development of subdivisions in 1940.The first streets were laid out in 1941, and the residents voted for incorporation on September 17, 1963.
Call Ron today to see a new home in Desert Hot Springs at 760-219-8353.
