I admit that I am starstruck—totally obsessed with the history and people of Hollywood. When my husband and I moved to Palm Springs, California, I found myself in heaven amid the legendary stories of old Hollywood that envelope this small city, and I spent hours immersing myself in them.

This desert oasis was not only the place for the gods of the silver screen to escape from the glitz and glamor of Tinsle Town, but it was also the haven they sought to be like regular people and indulge in their private lives behind closed doors.

Their torrid affairs and gay liaisons were far from the prying eyes of the paparazzi or other media, which plagued those with stardom. Most had their homes built with large walls and gates 20 to 30 feet high, assuring complete privacy and seclusion, and it was an unwritten rule that no one asked them for their autographs or bothered them for pictures. Perhaps this is why so many came to this desert playground.

Warner Brothers Estate

When we first walked through the neighborhoods of Palm Springs, we were a little taken back by this gated community and wondered how anyone could know their neighbor. I grew up in a neighborhood where you knew the people next door and across the street, even their dogs, and we wouldn’t hesitate to yell out the window to ask if their kids wanted to come over and play.

In Palm Springs, however, its long streets appear dark and secluded by the high walls of bushes and brick, and strings of palm trees.

On one of our usual walks one day, my husband and I began to notice that there was a distinct difference in most of the homes: the doors and gates themselves. It was as though we were given a small glimpse into the lives that resided behind them, reflecting their personalities, taste in architecture and financial status. Some doors and gates are large and stately, while others are simple yet elegant in their own way.

However, they all show great thought in their making, from wood to steel to glass, and their unique features only increase the intrigue of the house, its residents and its history.

Tammy Faye Bakker Messner’s House. She was an American Christian singer, evangelist, entrepreneur, author, talk show host, and television personality.

Cary Grant’s House. He was an English stage and Hollywood film actor who became an American citizen in 1942. Known for his transatlantic accent, debonair demeanor and “dashing good looks”.

Frederick Loewe’s House, was an Austrian-American composer. He collaborated with lyricist Alan Jay Lerner on a series of Broadway musicals, including the long-running My Fair Lady and Camelot

Liberace’s House, was an American pianist and entertainer.

This is the gate to our home in Palm Springs. 🙂

Here is a slide show of all the 64 beautiful gates and doors. Tell us what you think!