The origins of Indian lease land in Palm Springs can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the United States government began implementing policies of forced relocation and assimilation for Indigenous peoples.
In 1891, the U.S. government established the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in the Palm Springs area, which was home to the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians. The reservation was created through the process of allotment, in which the government divided reservation land into individual plots and allotted them to individual tribal members. The remaining land was deemed “surplus” and sold to non-Native settlers.
However, the Agua Caliente band was not content with the allotment process and the loss of their traditional lands. In 1913, the band’s leaders, including Cahuilla leader Antonio Garra, began advocating for the return of their surplus lands. They argued that the land had been taken without their consent and that they had a right to it under the 1891 Indian Allotment Act.
In 1924, the U.S. government granted a lease to the Agua Caliente band for the use of their surplus lands, which included parts of Palm Springs and the surrounding areas. The lease was for a period of 99 years and the band was granted the right to use the land for agricultural, residential, and commercial purposes.
The Indian lease land in Palm Springs played a significant role in the development of the city as a tourist destination in the mid-20th century. The band used the land to build hotels, golf courses, and other tourist amenities, which attracted visitors from all over the country.
However, the Indian lease land also caused conflicts between the band and non-Native residents and developers. In the 1950s and 1960s, there were several disputes over the use of the land, including a legal battle over the development of a housing project on Indian lease land.
Despite these conflicts, the Indian lease land in Palm Springs continues to be an important part of the city’s history and culture. Today, the Agua Caliente band still owns and manages the land, and it remains a vital source of income for the tribe. The tribe also uses the land for cultural and educational activities, such as the annual Palm Springs Indian Days Celebration and the Indian Canyons.
When purchasing a home on lease land in the greater Palm Springs area, there are a few important facts to consider:
- Lease land means that the land is owned by a third party, typically a tribe or a government entity, and the buyer is purchasing the right to use the land for a certain period of time (usually 30 or 55 years).
- The buyer will need to pay an annual lease fee to the landowner, in addition to property taxes.
- At the end of the lease term, the buyer will not own the land and will need to renegotiate the lease or vacate the property.
- It can be tricky to get a mortgage for a home on lease land, as some lenders may be hesitant to lend on property that the borrower does not own. I have a list of local lenders who can help navigate this.
- It’s important to research the specific terms of the lease, as well as the reputation and financial stability of the landowner, before making a purchase.
- It’s a good idea to speak with a real estate agent and/or a lender that has experience with lease land transactions to understand the legal and financial implications of buying a home on lease land.
- Call me and let me help you understand this process.
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