Sled dog races were held at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram in January 1973. File photo

65 years ago – 1948
Idyllwild’s barber Bert Playle moved away, leaving local men mourning. There were still three beauty operators to take care of the ladies’ hair.

55 years ago – 1958
Despite property owner protests, county supervisors approved plans for a Girl Scout Camp near Saunders Meadow.

50 years ago – 1963
Lou Adams assumed presidency of the Chamber of Commerce and announced she intended to run the organization “like a business.”

45 years ago – 1968
The Riverside County Planning Commission placed Idyllwild’s population at 2,536. In 1950, the population of Idyllwild, Pine Cove and Mountain Center was less than 500.

40 years ago – 1973
The Idyllwild Property Owners Association asked the three local water districts to request a Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) feasibility study regarding consolidation of the districts.

35 years ago – 1978
Trustees of the Hemet Unified School District refused to allow a smoking section for students at Hemet High School.

30 years ago – 1983
The Hemet Valley Ambulance Service Inc. established a satellite station at the Mt. San Jacinto Center of the California Conservation Corps in Garner Valley, serving residents of Garner Valley, Anza and Pinyon.

25 years ago – 1988
Visitors and residents took advantage of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday by enjoying the winter wonderland created when 12 inches of snow fell in town.

15 years ago – 1998
Vandals tore down the letters above Fairway Market and knocked down the soda machine in front of Forest Lumber in an attempt to break it open.

10 years ago – 2003
Free English classes were started in Idyllwild. They continue to this day twice a week at Idyllwild School.

5 years ago – 2008
The U.S. Forest Service spearheaded an effort to help the Lake Hemet bald eagles in their annual nest construction. A platform, made from redwood pieces and available pine branches, was constructed for the eagle parents to use for a more durable nest.

1 year ago – 2012
The annual spelling bee at Idyllwild school saw fierce competition. The winners, Shelby Read, Maggie McKimson, Adrian Hernandez and Nick Anderson, were to represent Idyllwild in the Hemet School District Spelling Bee.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Past Tense: April 29, 2021

    70 years ago – 1951A summer drought was anticipated all over Southern California; consequently, water rationing was being discussed. The Town Crier urged the local water companies to discuss a cooperative plan. 65 years ago – 1956It was the last trout season opener and hundreds of anglers lined Lake Fulmor. From then on, trout fishing…

  • Past Tense: 11.28.2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Hollywood came to Idyllwild when the Rustic Theatre presented the first showing of “One Sunday Afternoon,” starring Dennis Morgan. Morgan made an appearance at each showing.   60 years ago – 1953 Idyllwild Rotary became an official club. The organization had been forming for about a year.   55 years…

  • Past Tense: May 31, 2012

    65 years ago – 1947 It was school board election time, but none of the five people nominated was a registered voter. It was necessary to write in names of candidates. 60 years ago – 1952 A group of students of Christian Science, which had been meeting informally for four years, became officially the Christian…

  • Past Tense

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

  • |

    Past Tense: January 27, 2022

    75 years ago – 1947The Chamber of Commerce announced that a deputy sheriff would be assigned to the area, and a new switchboard would be installed in the summer to handle 200 phones.• • •A University of Southern California movie crew photographed the Chamber meeting for a film dealing with the proposed Idyllwild Arts Foundation….

  • |

    Past Tense

    75 years ago – 1948 A Christmas fire at the dump caught many firemen in their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Swede Pitt tramped among the the burning debris in a starched white shirt and his best pants rolled to the knees. 70 years ago – 1953 Hope Bell, librarian, reported that circulation in the local library doubled…