Palm Springs, CA, pioneer Dr. Welwood Murray, one of the desert’s most prominent landowners, established the two-acre Welwood Murray cemetery in 1917. Many notable civic and community leaders and famous desert pioneers are buried here, including the likes of Earl C. Coffman, Nellie Coffman, Frank Shannon, Florian Boyd, Virginia Valli Farrell, and Katherine Finchy.
As the years went on, the growing valley called for additional, larger cemeteries. However, Welwood Murray Cemetery offers a small but serene place of respite in lovely Palm Springs. Here are some of its residents with ties to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Charles Farrell
(August 9, 1900 – May 6, 1990)
Charles David Farrell was an American film actor whose height was in the 1920s and 1930s, and the Mayor of Palm Springs from 1947 to 1955. He was also among the early developers of Palm Springs.
Hugo Montenegro
(September 2, 1925 – February 6, 1981)
Born Hugo Mario Montenegro. He was an American orchestra leader and composer of film soundtracks. His best-known work is interpretations of the music from Spaghetti Westerns. He also wrote for various television series, most notably the theme to “I Dream of Jeannie.”
Jackie Saunders
(October 6, 1892 – July 14, 1954)
Born Anna Jackal. She was an American silent screen actress who was one of the major players and stars of Balboa Films.
Virginia Valli
(January 18, 1895 – September 24, 1968)
Born Virginia McSweeney. She was an American stage and film actress whose motion picture career started in the silent film era and lasted until the beginning of the sound film era of the 1930s.
Hometowns to Hollywood 