Cabot's Old Indian Pueblo Museum
Also known as: Nellie's
Why it's listed
Perched on a steep slope at the foot of a small canyon in Desert Hot Springs, this compound grew from the homestead of Cabot Abram Yerxa, a local pioneer. Construction of the four-level Museum began in 1941, and it opened in 1944 as a trading post, art gallery and residence. Nearby stands Nellie's House, built for Yerxa's mother. Both buildings imitate the stepped, flat-roofed forms of Southwestern pueblos, using wood framing, metal lath and cement plaster, with adobe-style blocks on part of the Museum's first floor and projecting vigas. Yerxa worked from his own sketches without a licensed architect, reusing windows, doors and timber salvaged from abandoned buildings, so no two doors or windows match. The listing recognizes his role in the area's history and the buildings' Pueblo Revival design. Sheds, shade structures, a restroom and a 1978 carved totem on the 4.77-acre site are counted as non-contributing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the two buildings embody the distinctive characteristics of Pueblo Revival design and possess high artistic values. They are also tied to Desert Hot Springs pioneer Cabot Yerxa, who designed and built them from his own sketches using salvaged materials. The other structures on the site are non-contributing due to lost integrity or later construction.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 11000942, listed February 28, 2012. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 67-616 E. Desert View Ave., Desert Hot Springs |
|---|---|
| County | Riverside County |
| Listed | February 28, 2012 |
| Reference number | 11000942 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1941-1944 |
| Architect / builder | Yerxa, Cabot Abram |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals / Pueblo |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The Museum is in museum use with some former living areas converted to offices; Nellie's House is described as currently vacant. |
| Acreage | 4.8 |
| Coordinates | 33.95814, -116.48265 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 11000942.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5015765
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.