Although Idyllwild has enjoyed pleasant weather lately, residents are reminded that January is a winter month, as seen in this Jan. 21, 1993, photo in which a car is towed after having a snow-laden tree fall across its hood. File photo

65 years ago – 1947
Pop Groom leased land above Pine Cove where Haigh and Weller were logging for a winter sports area.

60 years ago – 1952
The State Riding and Hiking Trail project again stalled due to right-of-way difficulties. The trail may be re-routed elsewhere.

55 years ago – 1957
Janet Froehlich was engaged to Bill Riley of Hemet. Janet had worked for two summers with the Town Crier.

50 years ago – 1962
Town Hall was at almost full capacity for use, according to Chamber President Clarence Bishof.
• • •
Eight parachutes were purchased from war surplus and installed in the elementary school multipurpose room to help muffle the clatter.
• • •
Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Connally of Scottsdale purchased Rocky Rill Lodge from Frances Knox. They planned to use it for a vacation home for their large family.

45 years ago – 1967
Conforming with new postal regulations, Town Crier started mailing out-of-town papers by ZIP code number. Previously, mailed copies had been bundled alphabetically by towns.
• • •
The Hemet Unified School District asked Doris Hunt for a description of the work she did as elementary school secretary. “It’s totally impossible to tell you what I do,” she said, as she mentioned coping with snakes, dogs, rabbits, bloody noses, skinned knees, tears, etc.

40 years ago – 1972
Plans for a 253-unit mobile home park on 40 acres in the Tahquitz Lake Estates area generated opposition from several nearby property owners.

35 years ago – 1977
At the end of 1976, the six-months’ total rainfall amounted to 14.91 inches. The previous year’s Dec. 31 figure was 7 inches.

30 years ago – 1982
Three Forest Service officers spoke at Idyllwild’s Izaak Walton League meeting about plans underway in San Bernardino County to prevent destruction of urban and mountain developments due to forest fire.

25 years ago – 1987
More than 3,900 homes and businesses were left without electricity for a day in the aftermath of the year’s first winter storm.

20 years ago – 1992
A three-day storm dumped two feet of snow on the Hill.

15 years ago – 1997
Four months after the Tree Monument was taken down for extensive restoration, it was lifted by crews and returned to its base.

10 years ago – 2002
A group of private developers announced plans to build a $3 million private resort and spa complex near the center of Idyllwild.

5 years ago – 2007
Three separate traffic collisons all occured at the same spot on the same day, just a few hours apart on Highway 74 just west of McCall Park Road.

1 year ago – 2011
Directors, actors, writers, and local residents filled the Rustic Theatre lobby on opening day of the second Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema: Idyllwild 2011.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: August 1, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Formal opening ceremonies were to be held to mark the completion of the Banning-Idyllwild Highway. 60 years ago – 1953 The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Geological Survey Division began a project to map inaccessible areas in the local mountains. 55 years ago – 1958 The Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce…

  • |

    Past Tense: March 30, 2017

    65 years ago – 1952 The Kretsingers wrote from Nebraska, very homesick for Idyllwild. • • • The congregation of the Community Church accepted Rev. Warner’s resignation. 60 years ago – 1957 A well-organized search party covered a great deal of rough country between the Stone Creek and Pine Cove areas. They found a lost…

  • |

    Past Tense: August 11, 2022

    75 years ago – 1947Fern Valley Garage advertised “Expert Repair Service, Greeting Cards, Gift Wrappings.”• • •Electric power was on its way to Pine Cove. Plans for a line from the Idyllwild Substation had been started prior to the war but were curtailed because of shortages. 70 years ago – 1952“Tony Beaver,” a light opera…

  • Past Tense: March 12, 2015

    65 years ago – 1950 FM radio equipment was installed in Forest Service trucks and lookouts. 60 years ago – 1955 Registered voters served by the Idyllwild Water Company were to go to the polls to vote for or against the formation of an Idyllwild County Water District, and to elect five directors. 55 years…

  • Past Tense: December 1, 2016

    55 years ago – 1961  The Forest Service conducted an inventory of timber in the May Valley area where a critical insect problem exsisted to appraise value and quality of lumber. 50 years ago – 1966  Town Hall celebrated its 20th year with exhibits, a buffet and entertainment. 45 years ago – 1971  By enacting…

  • |

    Past Tense: February 21, 2018

    70 years ago – 1949 The U.S. Forest Service reported that 90 inches of snow had fallen in Idyllwild since Oct. 1. 65 years ago – 1954 Local children, in the spirit of making this “America’s Cleanest Forest,” launched a cleanup campaign. 60 years ago – 1959 ISOMATA appointed a committee to develop plans for…