Former Idyllwild resident Steve Davis, now of Ocala, Florida, skating on Foster Lake in January 1980. The lake was very shallow and the ice-covered lake was making cracking noises as he skated on it. Today, the lake is dry. Photo by Patti Pennick
Former Idyllwild resident Steve Davis, now of Ocala, Florida, skating on Foster Lake in January 1980. The lake was very shallow and the ice-covered lake was making cracking noises as he skated on it. Today, the lake is dry. Photo by Patti Pennick

65 years ago - 1950

The director of ISOMATA (now Idyllwild Arts) announced that a four-week workshop session was canceled because a number of the male students notified the school they could not attend due to the “unsettled world condition.”

60 years ago - 1955

Ladies of the Guild were hard at work getting booths ready for their annual bazaar. The benefit included a buffet with a complete ham-loaf dinner for $1.25.

55 years ago - 1960

The Hill’s unofficial permanent population was estimated at 2,500 people, according to the 1960 census, which covered the area from Mountain Center to Stone Creek.

50 years ago - 1965

In a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce, the Idyllwild County Water District director reported the area included in the proposed sewer system would be larger than originally envisioned.

45 years ago - 1970

An attempt by the San Jacinto Mountain Conservation League to have R-1-5 (single-family, 5-acre minimum) zoning placed on 2,200 acres in Garner Valley was thrown out.

40 years ago - 1975

The Pine Cove Water District Board of Directors approved new water rates. Domestic users would be paying $5 a month for their first 2,000 gallons of water.

35 years ago - 1980

Local U.S. Forest Service officials launched an efficient communications program they hoped would increase protection of public life and property during a potential fire.

30 years ago - 1985

Six more bins were placed at the Idyllwild dump to handle the excess garbage being deposited at the landfill.

25 years ago - 1990

During the Idyllwild Water District’s declaration of a Stage 3 water shortage, Riverside County 3rd District Supervisor Kay Ceniceros said she wanted to examine if current zoning was creating drought.

20 years ago - 1995

The county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved using $4.9 million from the previous year’s federal crime bill, part of which would be used to place more sheriff’s deputies on the streets.

15 years ago - 2000

A meeting of the Idyllwild Fire Protection District saw the appointment of new Commissioner Earl Parker, who took the place of long-time member Eugene Stegelmeyer.

10 years ago - 2005

The Friends of the Idyllwild Library were raising money for a building expansion, for which the cost estimate was $175,000. It was noted that there had been a 74-percent drop in library funding from the state, which the governor was trying to cut further.

5 years ago - 2010

Hot, humid, electricity in the air, flashes of light, intimations of thunder, perspiration building, impossible not to dance Lisa Haley and the Zydekats blew into Idyllwild with all the combustible elements of a fast-moving summer storm.

1 year ago - 2014

Smokey Bear celebrated his 70th birthday in Idyllwild. His message of personal responsibility continued to be as critical and relevant as ever.