Palm Springs: Eisenhower dental rumor & alien claims
During a golf vacation in Palm Springs, President Eisenhower had a dental repair on February 20-21, 1954, sparking rumors of a secret trip to Edwards AFB to view Roswell alien remains or meet live extraterrestrials.
Background
Background
Dwight D. Eisenhower was on a golfing holiday at the Smoke Tree Ranch near Palm Springs, California on February 20–21, 1954. There he damaged the porcelain crown of his upper left central incisor and had it treated by Dr. Francis A. Purcell.
Rumors and Conspiracies
The treatment was kept from the press, which fed speculation. It was rumoured that Eisenhower had instead visited Edwards Air Force Base to inspect the remains of extraterrestrials from the Roswell crash of 1947. Later accounts claimed meetings with living aliens and the conclusion of a treaty. Missing records from Purcell's practice fuelled the rumours.
Sources and Refutation
The dental historian James M. Mixson documented Eisenhower's dental history thoroughly in a professional journal in 1995. Numerous UFO publications, such as works by Jerome Clark, Michael D. Swords, and Michael E. Salla, address the legend. Archival searches produced no evidence of alien contacts.