BLACK ARCHITECTS & BUILDERS MIDCENTURY MODERN LEGACY

The Role of Black Architects, Builders, & Communities in Shaping Midcentury Modern Architecture

Palm Springs is internationally recognized for its Midcentury Modern architecture, a style defined by clean lines, open floor plans, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. While names like Richard Neutra, Albert Frey, and Donald Wexler are often celebrated, the contributions of Black architects, builders, and community members remain largely unsung. From constructing iconic buildings to developing historic neighborhoods, Black visionaries played a crucial role in shaping the Coachella Valley’s architectural landscape.

Building a Community: Desert Highland Estates
In the late 1950s, many African American families displaced from Palm Springs’ Section 14—where racist deed restrictions had long limited Black homeownership—relocated to Desert Highland Estates. This 281-parcel subdivision was originally part of unincorporated Riverside County and lacked basic city services. Despite these challenges, the community thrived, and its members contributed to the construction of many Midcentury Modern structures throughout the region.

By 1966, Palm Springs annexed Desert Highland, officially integrating it into city limits. The Alexander Construction Company, famous for its Midcentury Modern tract homes, operated a warehouse on Radio Road, providing jobs for Black workers who helped build the city’s signature architecture.

Desert Highland Unity Center: A Space for Community
The Desert Highland Park was completed in 1970, and in 1977, the Desert Highland Unity Center opened its doors, designed by architect Michael Black. In 2000, the center was renamed in honor of James O. Jessie, a beloved manager who lost his life rescuing a youth from drowning during a community fishing trip.

Today, the center remains a vital hub offering basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts, a weightlifting area, and community programs such as a youth drill team, drum squad, literacy camp, and summer activities.

Ajalon Baptist Church: A Testament to Faith and Architecture
Founded in 1958, Ajalon Baptist Church initially met in a leased space at the Carpenter Union Hall on Radio Road. In 1972, the congregation moved into a newly built church at 433 Tram View Road, designed by Michael Black.

Just a block away stands the Ajalon House, constructed in 1961 at 454 W Sunview Avenue. Though its architect remains unknown, the home is a noteworthy example of Midcentury Modern residential design in the Desert Highland neighborhood.

First Baptist Church: A Spiritual and Social Anchor
Established in 1944 on Section 14, First Baptist Church was designed by Howard Lapham, an architect known for his high-end Midcentury homes. In 1959, the church relocated to the Desert Highland neighborhood, purchasing four lots and later adding a parsonage.

Under the leadership of Pastor Rollins, the church expanded its mission beyond worship, launching the Palm Springs Child Care and Development Center in 1968. This initiative marked a significant step in providing early childhood education and care to the community.

Lawrence Crossley: A Pioneer of Palm Springs Development
Few individuals have left a greater mark on early Palm Springs than Lawrence Crossley. Born in 1899 in New Orleans, Crossley arrived in Palm Springs in 1924 as a chauffeur for Prescott T. Stevens but quickly became a leading entrepreneur and civic figure.

His contributions include:

Serving as the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indian Conservator

Investing in the El Mirador Hotel

Designing Palm Springs’ first golf course

Managing the Whitewater Mutual Water Company

Owning multiple businesses, including trailer parks, a laundromat, and a restaurant

Producing herbal tea made from traditional Cahuilla medicinal plants

Crossley’s work was foundational in shaping Palm Springs’ infrastructure and economic development.

Paul R. Williams: The Architect of Elegance
A legend in American architecture, Paul R. Williams was the first Black member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923. Best known for designing glamorous homes for Hollywood elites, Williams left a lasting impact on Palm Springs, where he contributed several significant projects:

Town & Country Center (1948) – A designated California State Historical Resource

Palm Springs Tennis Club Addition (1946)

Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Home (1954-1955) at Thunderbird Country Club

Beyond Palm Springs, Williams designed iconic landmarks such as the LAX Theme Building (1961). In 2017, he was posthumously awarded the AIA Gold Medal, the institute’s highest honor.

Gateway Estates: A Midcentury Modern Black Enclave
Developed in 1960 by Southland Development Co., Gateway Estates is a 72-home subdivision. By the late 1960s, Black families began moving into the neighborhood, triggering "white flight" and solidifying the area as a key Black residential enclave.

Designed by architect Paul J. Duncan, the homes showcased Desert Modernism, featuring:

Decorative concrete blocks

Open breezeways connecting carports

Floor-to-ceiling windows

Post-and-beam construction

Private pools

In 1967, Gateway Estates officially became Palm Springs' first organized neighborhood, advocating for police and fire services, education, and recreational resources. Over time, Gateway Estates and Desert Highland merged, forming a unified community committed to progress.

Honoring Black Contributions to Palm Springs’ Architectural Heritage
Black architects, builders, and community leaders played a pivotal role in shaping Palm Springs. From designing churches and community centers to constructing Midcentury Modern landmarks, their contributions are woven into the city’s architectural identity. Yet, their stories remain underrepresented in mainstream narratives.

As Palm Springs continues to celebrate its Midcentury Modern heritage, it is vital to recognize and preserve the Black architectural legacy that helped define this desert oasis. Through education, community advocacy, and historic preservation efforts, we can ensure these contributions receive the recognition they deserve.


This article serves as part of Urban Palm Springs’ ongoing effort to highlight the rich cultural and architectural history of Black Palm Springs.