June McCarroll

Who She Was

Dr. June Adaline Whittelsey Robertson McCarroll (1867–1954) was a pioneering physician, public health advocate, and desert visionary whose bold ideas reshaped both the Coachella Valley and the way the world drives. Born in Lewis County, New York, she trained in medicine in Chicago before moving west in 1904 with her husband, James R. Robertson. They settled near Indio, where she became the region’s first female doctor and, for a time, the only physician serving from Palm Springs to the Salton Sea. She also worked with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, caring for residents across five local Native American reservations.

Why She Matters

In 1917, after narrowly avoiding a collision with a truck on a narrow desert road, McCarroll proposed a simple yet revolutionary idea: a painted line down the center of the road to divide traffic. When local officials ignored her, she painted the first white line along Indio Boulevard. Her grassroots campaign, supported by women’s clubs statewide, led California to adopt centerline striping in 1924—a now-standard road safety feature around the globe.

Her contributions didn’t stop there. In 1905, McCarroll also founded the valley's first library, turning her own home into a lending hub for patients and neighbors alike.

Legacy Today

Her legacy is honored with the Dr. June McCarroll Memorial Freeway, a dedicated stretch of Interstate 10 near Indio. A historical marker also stands on Indio Boulevard, commemorating her bold move to make roads safer for everyone. While similar striping ideas may have emerged elsewhere, McCarroll's persistent advocacy helped bring this life-saving measure into mainstream use.

Today, her legacy lives on in the safety of every painted highway and in the enduring spirit of innovation that defines Palm Springs' history. A true Coachella Valley legend, June McCarroll reminds us that one determined voice can change the world.