Thomas Arthur O'Donnell (June 26, 1870 – February 21, 1945), was an American pioneer in the California oil industry along with Edward L. Doheny, Charles A. Canfield and Max H. Whittier who became known as the "big four.

While still living in McKean Township he worked for some time as a newsboy until the age 12 when he left Pennsylvania and arrived in Florence, Colorado.

[2] With his ambitions extending beyond the grocery store, O'Donnell went to work in a gold mine and for the next five years, with pick and shovel, became a very experienced miner by the age of 19.

The partnership with Whittier lasted for five years, at the end of which, O'Donnell decided to continue alone becoming an independent driller, operator and oil land speculator.

[4] At the time, the two companies were among the largest independent concerns in the United States controlling wide areas of the best oil lands in the most productive districts of California.

Upon his departure, O'Donnell received a letter and check for one dollar from Harry A. Garfield, United States Fuel Administrator, as a token of appreciation in recognition of his service as a volunteer.

O'Donnell became the first president of the American Petroleum Institute, the largest national trade association representing the industry, serving from 1919 – 1924.

[8] The "California Spanish"-style O'Donnell House was designed by W. C. Tanner[9] and remained the highest mountainside home in Palm Springs for more than forty years.

[12] O'Donnell bought property at the corner of Stevens Road and North Palm Canyon Drive and built a reservoir, which also acted as a desalting basin, through which Whitewater Mutual routed its pipeline to the area that was to become the golf course.

He gave the club a ninety-nine year lease for the golf course, the reservoir property and the seven hundred fifty shares of the Whitewater Mutual stock.