In an arid climate where the average yearly high is over 80°F, agriculture is challenging. Yet the Coachella Valley farmers, together with the U. S. Department of Agriculture, were innovative. They realized date palms had grown in similar environments in the Middle East since 6000 BC. In 1912, the Deglet Noor date was first harvested in California. This 60 foot, galvanized steel water tower was part of the M. H. Whitter Ranch Company, a date farm once located in nearby Coachella. Learn more at the Date History Museum and Gardens at the Coachella Valley Historical Museum.
