The Hermit of Palm Springs

This is William "Billy" Pester - better known as the Hermit of Palm Springs.  He came from Germany wanting to avoid military service and ended up in Palm Springs.  Here, he adopted a "naturalist" way of life, living off the land and typically wearing few if any clothes.  Several sites have called him the first of the true California hippies, despite his living in PS from 1906 to the 1930s.  The Hermit's Bench is named for him - his little hut was located where the gift store/visitor center is presently in Palm Canyon south of town.