John C. & Estella Snyder Residence 271 West Merito Place, Palm Springs, CA 92262
Built in 1932 as a winter retreat for wealthy Indiana businessman John C. Snyder and his family, Morada La Estrella (roughly “Home of the Star”) was later the home of internationally famous movie star Rod Taylor (films include “The Time Machine” and “The Birds”). Credited to talented architectural designer William Charles Tanner, the home’s simple, adobe-inspired U-shaped design creates a beautiful, romantic, and authentic example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style. Located in Palm Springs’ historic Merito Vista tract, the home was intentionally sited “off-center” on the lot to allow for an expansive garden.
REFERENCES
On February 19, 2024, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation provided a completed draft of the 96-page nomination to the owners of the Snyder Residence.
In November of 2022, the Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board of directors assigned the task of writing the Class 1 Historic Resource nomination for the John C. and Estella Snyder Residence to PSPF board advisor Steve Vaught.
