Past Tense: Aug. 16, 2012

65 years ago – 1947
The Idyllwild School District faced a crisis. There wasn’t enough room to accommodate the anticipated enrollment of 125 kids.
• • •
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” starring Tyrone Power, Don Ameche and Alice Faye, was luring customers to the Rustic Theatre.

60 years ago – 1952
More than 100 people from Monogram Studios invaded Idyllwild to film “Northwest Mounted Police.” James Craig and Reginald Denny were in the cast.

55 years ago – 1957
At Tahquitz Lake Estates, Tract No. 1 was substantially sold out. The developers were asking the Forest Service to help choose a location for a heliport for property owners there.

50 years ago – 1962
An end to the long legal battle over liquor in Idyllwild seemed apparent when the Idyllwild Protection League withdrew its opposition to three licenses.

45 years ago – 1967
Idyllwild Summer School students took a trip to the San Diego Zoo. Their guide pointed out a high fence which he said was to keep out the most dangerous of all animals, the American teenager. Another, he said, was to keep the American road hog in his place.

40 years ago – 1972
Howard Jordan replaced Cliff Hagenbach on the board of the Pine Cove Property Owners Association.

30 years ago – 1982
The annual closure of high fire hazard watershed areas in the San Bernardino National Forest began. The closure was coming about a month later than normal because of wet weather.

25 years ago – 1987
Local youths formed an organization called Hobo Skates, dedicated to finding a place in Idyllwild where youths could meet and skate legally.

20 years ago – 1992
Residents were concerned about the use of Lindane and a health hazard of using it. Lindane is a pesticide that was being used to treat trees for bark beetles.

15 years ago – 1997
Hemet Unified School District was considering a $36 million bond measure.

10 years ago – 2002
Residents were donating water to make sure the community Christmas tree, located on Jo’An’s Restaurant’s property, survived the drought and the Stage 3 water conservation.

5 years ago – 2007
Three years and nine days after burning down, Arriba Mexican Restaurant reopened to a priest’s quiet blessing and an energetic mariachi fanfare.

1 year ago – 2011
Idyllwild lost one of its early residents with the passing of Inie Wilson. She was 96 years old.