Frank Bogert

Frank Mitchell Bogert (January 1, 1910 – March 22, 2009) was an American actor, professional rodeo announcer, author, and politician best known as the longtime mayor of Palm Springs, California.

Frank Bogert
15th Mayor of Palm Springs
In office April 1982 – April 1988
Preceded by	John Doyle
Succeeded by	Sonny Bono
Member of the City Council
In office 1958–1966
Personal details
Born	January 1, 1910 Mesa, Colorado, U.S.
Died	March 22, 2009 (aged 99) Palm Springs, California, U.S.
Political party	Republican

Born in Mesa, Colorado to Henry Kneeland Bogert and Adaline Esther Mitchell, he was raised in the California mountain town of Wrightwood in San Bernardino County. He was a rodeo buddy and distant relative to cowboy artist Earl W. Bascom.

Bogert arrived in Palm Springs in 1927, becoming the city's first chamber of commerce manager in 1939. In the later 1930s he was the manager of the Palm Springs Racquet Club.[1]

In 1958, Bogert was elected to the Palm Springs City Council, becoming mayor soon after, serving for eight years. He was elected to the position for two more two-year terms in 1982.

Bogert worked closely with Gene Autry to bring the California Angels to Palm Springs for spring training. In 1987 he wrote a book, Palm Springs: First Hundred Years,[2] a favorite of famous area resident Bob Hope.

In 1997, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs, California, Walk of Stars was dedicated to him.[3]

A statue of Bogert on horseback is in front of the Palm Springs City Hall.[4]

View of South Palm Springs near the Frank Bogert Trailhead

Bibliography

• View From the Saddle: Characters Who Crossed My Trail. Palm Springs: ETC Publications. 2006. pp. 232. ISBN 0-88280-158-9. OCLC 62110026. ISBN 978-0882801582, LCC F869.P18B65 2006
• Palm Springs: First Hundred Years. Palm Springs: Palm Springs Library. 2003. p. 288. ISBN 0-9618724-2-X. LCC F869.P18B64 2003

References

1. Rippingale, Sally Presley (1984). "The Thirties". The History of the Racquet Club of Palm Springs. Yucaipa, CA: US Business Specialties. p. 146. LCCN 85226534. OCLC 13526611.
2. Bogert, Frank M. (2003). Palm Springs: First Hundred Years (Revised, with epilogue ed.). Palm Springs: Palm Springs Library. ISBN 0-9618724-2-X. LCC F869.P18B64 2003
3. Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated
4. Biography and news of Bogert's death at Mydesert.com

External links

• Frank Bogert at Find a Grave