At the Idyllwild post office, then Fire Chief Tim Gustafson holds out a firefighter’s boot for a contribution from 3-year-old Julie Gurling of Idyllwild. The money he collected was sent to help the families of firefighters who died or were injured in the New York attack. The Idyllwild Fire Department collected more than $6,100 toward this effort. Town Crier file photo
An evening march by local residents who simply walked the Idyllwild streets, carried the American flag, lit candles and sang patriotic songs.. Town Crier file photo
Residents also prayed, a traditional form of support, as shown here by a group that gathered at the Church of Religious Science as part of the national day of prayer. Town Crier file photo

In these photos from the Sept. 20, 2001 edition of the Town Crier, Idyllwild residents respond in positive ways to the tragedy that affected all Americans.

60 years ago – 1951
Idyllwild had 450 full-time residents.

55 years ago – 1956
The Christian Science Church was being built on Cedar Street.

50 years ago – 1961
Keith Froelich hiked 86,992 feet while measuring the trails within the State Park wilderness area.

45 years ago – 1966
As a result of a new county ordinance banning burning dumps, then County Supervisor Floyd McCall announced that a public cut-and-fill dump would replace the open-burning pit used by the community for several decades. The Forest Service made 20 acres of public land available for the facility, which was to be maintained by the County Roads Department.

40 years ago – 1971
Ma Poates, Idyllwild pioneer and mother of Eleanor Johnson (for whom Eleanor Park was named), died at the age of 93.

35 years ago – 1976
After having changed their minds a couple of times, members of the Pine Cove Property Owners Association voted to petition the County Board of Supervisors to approve a Municipal Advisory Commission for Pine Cove.

30 years ago – 1981
Town Hall offered a class on how to safely use and properly maintain a chain saw.

25 years ago – 1986
Cindy Allert celebrated her 10th anniversary of ownership of the Idyllwild Beauty Shop at a surprise party, which her employees organized. Today, Allert is still at the helm.

20 years ago – 1991
A team of seven Idyllwild ham radio operators from the local Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services organization conducted a simulated earthquake exercise to test their readiness for a real emergency. This Saturday, Sept. 10, Mountain Disaster Preparedness (MDP) will conduct a “Shake Up” drill based at the Idyllwild Fire Station and at various Disaster Aid Stations throughout the community.

15 years ago – 1996
The County of Riverside approved Idyllwild Arts Foundation’s 10-year master plan, which included plans for a new 30,000-square-foot dormitory, a 16,000-square-foot library, a painting studio, an exhibition building, a theater and a headmaster’s residence.

10 years ago – 2001
The streets of Idyllwild were quiet as townspeople tried to cope with feelings of shock and anger after the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

5 years ago – 2006
A hiker was lost for four days in the Mt. San Jacinto State Wilderness. Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit volunteers eventually found him, but only after a heavy storm interrupted their search for a day.

1 year ago – 2010
Idyllwild mourned the loss of IFPD firefighter Scott Carlson who died after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: 11.21.2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Directors of the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce voted to “reforest” the San Jacinto Mountains with Sequoia Giganteas.   60 years ago – 1953 Idyllwild Beauty Shop advertised, “Fall tints for your tresses,” offering tint colors “maple red,” “oakleaf russet” and “alder grey.”   55 years ago – 1958 Dr. Max…

  • |

    Past Tense: August 17, 2017

    70 years ago – 1947  Idyllwild School faced a crisis. There wasn’t enough room to accommodate the anticipated enrollment of 125 kids. • • • “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” starring Tyronne Power, Don Ameche and Alice Faye, was luring customers to the Rustic Theatre. 65 years ago – 1952 More than 100 people from Monogram Studios…

  • |

    Past Tense: March 28, 2019

    70 years ago – 1949 Plans called for completion of the Idyllwild-Banning Highway by summertime. 65 years ago – 1954 Three search parties were looking for three teenage boys lost in the mountains. They finally emerged, unhurt but hungry, in Tahquitz Canyon. 60 years ago – 1959 Woodland Park Manor and Idyll-a-Wyle Cabins changed hands….

  • Past Tense: Dec. 22, 2011

    65 years ago – 1946 Harold Sanborn, chair of the Chamber building committee, announced that every Friday was to be Labor Day. Lenny Poates was to have a crew on hand to add to the community building. 60 years ago – 1951 The Lions Club viewed Korean War combat films at Fern Valley Lodge. The…

  • Past Tense: April 10, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 More tracks of the mountain lion previously sighted around Ernie Maxwell’s cabin were spotted. The visitor seemed to be more curious than hungry.   60 years ago – 1954 Oscar Lawler, prominent Los Angeles attorney, donated his 80-acre estate in the Dark Canyon area to the county. The donation was…

  • |

    Past Tense: June 2, 2016

    65 years ago – 1951 Idyllwild Inn opened the Pine Terrace for outdoor dining. 60 years ago – 1956 More than 100 townsfolk gathered at Town Hall to enjoy a potluck supper in the newly completed basement, constructed by volunteers. 55 years ago – 1961 Flush toilets were installed at Hurkey Creek campground.   50…