Palm Springs Walk of the Stars
 Stars on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars near the Cornelia White House | |
  Location in Palm Springs, California | |
| Established | February 26, 1992 |
|---|---|
| Location | Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 33°49′23″N 116°32′49″W / 33.82306°N 116.54694°W |
| Type | Hall of Fame |
| Founder | Gerhard Frenzel; Barbara Foster-Henderson |
| Website | walkofthestars |
The Palm Springs Walk of the Stars is a Walk of the Stars in downtown Palm Springs, California. Embedded in the sidewalks, the Golden Palm Stars honor notable individuals who have lived in the greater Palm Springs region, across multiple categories. The walk spans sections streets on downtown Palm Springs.
It was established in 1992 by Gerhard G. Frenzel and Barbara Foster-Henderson,[1][2]: 5 with the inaugural ceremony held on February 26, 1992 and included Walk of the Stars chairman Johnny Grant.[3]: 13 Modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the program has since honored presidents of the United States, showbusiness personalities, literary figures (authors, playwrights, screenwriters), pioneers and civic leaders (early settlers, tribal leaders, civic personalities), humanitarians and Medal of Honor recipients.[2][4][5] As of 2025 nearly 480 stars have been dedicated.[6]
History
[edit]Plans for a Palm Springs Walk of the Stars began in the early 1990s, led by Frenzel and Foster-Henderson in collaboration with the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce and the City of Palm Springs. The first five Golden Palm Stars were unveiled during the February 26, 1992 ceremony. Early inductees included local figures like theater proprietor Earle C. Strebe and individuals prominent during the Hollywood Golden Age. By 1999, 139 stars had been installed,[2]: 185 and by 2006 the total reached around 300.[3]: 138
During the 1990s and 2000s, honorees included entertainment professionals and local leaders such as Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren, Elizabeth Taylor, Liberace, Dinah Shore, and Sonny Bono.[3]: 13 [5]: 138 The Walk also recognized historical figures, like the chimpanzee “Cheeta” of Tarzan fame received a star in 1995, and President Gerald Ford in 1997.[5]: 138
Controversy
[edit]In 2004, Gerhard Frenzel resigned from the Walk of the Stars Foundation over the nomination of golfer Ken Venturi.[7]
In May 2017, installations were temporarily suspended while the Chamber and the City reviewed selection criteria amid concerns about the selection criteria.[8] Later that year they resumed with stronger guidelines.[9]
Nomination and induction process
[edit]
The program is managed by the Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Palm Springs. Anyone may submit a nomination, subject to the nominee's consent, for consideration by the Walk of Stars committee, which meets during the “season” (October–May). Typically 6–12 stars are approved and dedicated each season.[10]
Nominees must have significant affiliation with the area and notable achievements in designated categories: Entertainment; Literary; Civic/Pioneer; Humanitarian; Architect/Artist/Designer; Athlete; and Military. Approved nominees (or their sponsors) must pay a sponsorship fee of US$15,000 as of 2023,[10] covering the plaque, installation, ceremony, publicity, and an official city proclamation. Ceremonies are free public events held during the season, with honorees receiving a star replica and civic recognition.[11] A mobile app and online map help visitors locate stars and learn about inductees.[12]
Categories
[edit]
The Walk of the Stars honors individuals for their contributions in seven categories . The seven categories and their emblems are:[10]
- Architect/Artist/Designer: Given to honorees who have achieved notability in the areas of architecture, art and design.
- Athlete: Given to individuals who have achieved a notable level of success in their sport.
- Civic/Pioneer: Awarded to individuals who have played a notable role in the development of Palm Springs.
- Entertainment: Honorees are people who have achieved notability in their respective fields.
- Humanitarianism: Given to honorees who have made a "notable contributions to their community, state, and country through philanthropic endeavors and selfless acts of kindness." (as quoted from the Walks' website)[10]
- Literary: Given to honorees who have achieved notability in writing.
- Military: Given to honorees to people who have achieved a "illustrious military career" (as quoted from the Walks' website)[10] and who have reached the rank of Flag or General in one of the US Armed Services.
The categories are not represented equally. To date, 68% of all honorees were awarded in the Entertainment category, 13% in Civic/Pioneer category, 8% in the Humanitarian category, 5% in the Architect/Artist/Designer category, 3% in the Literary category and less than 2% in the Athlete and Military categories.
Star locations
The majority of the Walk's stars are located on Palm Canyon Drive, running from the 1300 block of North Palm Canyon Drive (Ron Nyswaner) in the north, to the 400 block of South Palm Canyon Drive (President Dwight Eisenhower) in the south. Additionally, stars are located along Tahquitz Canyon Way, Museum Drive, Downtown Palm Springs Park and La Plaza Court, with one star located at 161 Waterford Circle (Ken Venturi) and one located at 100 E Arenas Rd (Paul Reed Yinger).[9]
Honorees
[edit]Inaugural Honorees
[edit]The first five inductees were:[3]: 13
- Earle C. Strebe, Owner of the Plaza Theatre
- William Powell, Actor
- Ruby Keeler, Actress, dancer, and singer
- Charles Farrell, Actor and politician
- Ralph Bellamy, Actor
Special Medal of Honor recipients
[edit]Five Medal of Honor recipients from the Coachella Valley were honored during the 1999 Veterans Day holiday.[13]
- HM1 Robert E. Bush, US Navy
- Maj. Gen. James Lewis Day, US Marine Corps
- Capt. William McGonagle, US Navy, awarded for heroism during the 1967 USS Liberty incident
- Col. Lewis Millett, US Army
- Col. Mitchell Paige, US Marine Corps
Former presidents
[edit]Three former presidents of the United States lived in the Palm Springs area after their retirement.
See also
[edit]
- List of people from Palm Springs, California
- List of walks of fame
- List of mayors of Palm Springs, California
References
[edit]- ^ Stars, Palm Springs Walk of the. "Palm Springs Walk of the Stars". Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c Frenzel, Gerhard G. (1999). Portrait of the Stars. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Walk of Stars. p. 185. LCCN 98093956. OCLC 41260876. Frenzel was one of the founders of the Walk of Stars and his book gives a listing of 139 Golden Palm Stars dedicated through 1998. Only a portion of those names are used in this reference.
- ^ a b c d Mitchell, Marilyn (2011). Walking With The Stars. BearManor Media. p. 220. ISBN 978-1593936617. Mitchell's book gives a listing of 48 various Golden Palm Stars dedicated between 1994 and 2010. Only a portion of those names are used in this reference.
- ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars". Palm Springs. Retrieved August 10, 2025.
- ^ a b c Mitchell, Gordon "Whitey" (2006). Star Walk: A Guide to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Palm Springs: Hall/Sloane. p. 138. ISBN 978-0963868343. OCLC 810234068. Gordon Mitchell's book gives a listing of 300 Golden Palm Stars dedicated through 2006. Only a portion of those names are used in this reference.
- ^ "Ron Oliver on Palm Springs Walk of the Stars". K-Gay Desert Guide Palm Springs. May 6, 2025. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars Under Dispute". AP Online. May 15, 2004. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015.
- ^ Descant, Skip (May 22, 2017). "Why there will be no more additions to the Palm Springs Walk of Stars, for now". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs: USA Today Network. Retrieved May 24, 2017.
- ^ a b Stars, Palm Springs Walk of the. "Palm Springs Walk of the Stars". Palm Springs Walk of the Stars. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Categories & Criteria". Walk of the Stars Palm Springs. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "FAQs". Walk of the Stars Palm Springs. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
- ^ "Palm Springs Walk of Stars". App Store. September 25, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2025.
- ^ Armstrong, Mark (November 11, 1999). "Veterans shine once again". The Desert Sun. Palm Springs. p. B.1. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2012.(subscription required)
Further reading
[edit]- Bogert, Frank M. (2003). Palm Springs: First Hundred Years. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Library. p. 288. ISBN 978-0961872427. OCLC 17171891.
- Bogert, Frank M. (2006). View From the Saddle: Characters Who Crossed My Trail. Palm Springs: ETC Publications. pp. 232. ISBN 978-0882801582. OCLC 62110026. LCC F869.P18B65 2006
- Johns, Howard (2006). Hollywood Celebrity Playground. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books. p. 320. ISBN 978-1569803035. LCCN 2006047650. OCLC 69104355.
- Turner, Mary L.; Turner, Cal A. (photographer) (2006) [1999]. Beautiful People of Palm Springs. Turner. p. 154. ISBN 978-1411634886. OCLC 704086361.
- Wenzell, Nicolette (January 2, 2016). "Palm Springs has rich history of celebs, architects". The Desert Sun. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
External links
[edit]- Palm Springs Walk of Stars Chamber of Commerce – official website for Walk of Stars