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: 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: December 15, 2016

    60 years ago – 1956  Former California Attorney General Robert Kenny was in town paying a visit to his former business associate, Hazel Cress. 55 years ago – 1961  Emax saw the painting of yellow lines on the highways as “a trend toward the police state.” 50 years ago – 1966  A series of storms…

  • Past Tense: June 6, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Due to error, Dick Elliott’s name was omitted from the ballot in the school district election. But the diligence of his supporters resulted in 160 write-in votes for Elliott, and he won. 50 years ago – 1963 A Lynwood glider pilot unexpectedly set his craft down on a green at…

  • Past Tense: Jan. 23, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 Idyllwild experienced 4 feet of snow over a 10-day period in which temperatures never rose above freezing. 60 years ago – 1954 Willard Payne recalled the early days. He and his wife came for camping trips in 1909 when Fern Valley was waist-deep in ferns with only an occasional tree….

  • |

    Past Tense: February 27, 2020

    70 years ago – 1950 Eleanor Johnson’s long-cherished project of beautifying Village Circle got underway. 65 years ago – 1955 Ted Belden filed a patent on the special design for the Pinecraft “Idyllwild Chair.” It was a fitted-to-size chair proportioned to small, average or big people. 60 years ago – 1960 The Christian Science Society,…