Jane Greer, Howard Keel and Patricia Medina at Lake Hemet for the filming of “Desperate Search,” in June 1952. Ernie Maxwell file photo
Jane Greer, Howard Keel and Patricia Medina at Lake Hemet for the filming of “Desperate Search,” in June 1952.
Ernie Maxwell file photo

65 years ago – 1949
A cold snap brought a high of 30 degrees and a low of 7 degrees one day, freezing pipes and Mrs. Eric Holm’s breath on her coat. Emax reported that even the squirrels were shivering

60 years ago – 1954
The California Public Utilities Commission approved Idyllwild Water Company’s request to raise its annual rates from a minimum of $18, set in 1945, to $30.

55 years ago – 1959
Idyllwild Fire Chief Bill Price reported to Chamber of Commerce members that the department had answered 12 alarm calls, 26 resuscitator and oxygen calls and 66 first aid calls in 1958.

50 years ago – 1964
Bids were called for by Security First National Bank for constructing its new Idyllwild branch.

45 years ago – 1969
Action on supplying domestic water for a 2,000-home Garner Valley recreational-residential development was delayed until the Feb. 4 Lake Hemet Municipal Water District meeting.

40 years ago – 1974
Storms during the past week brought the heaviest snowfall to the mountains since December 1967. Continuous snowfall that Friday resulted in 15 inches of snow by 10:30 p.m.

35 years ago – 1979
Connor Bryce Finn, born to Dennis and Melody Finn of Pine Cove at 12:14 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, was the Hill’s first baby of the year.

30 years ago – 1984
An automatic pump that injected aluminum sulfate into the Idyllwild Water District’s water supply apparently malfunctioned, leaving a bitter taste in the mouths of many of the town’s residents.

25 years ago – 1989
The Skyline Retreat Project, a complex on about 3.5 acres on the southern side of Strawberry Creek Square, containing a conference center, a 120-room hotel, a 168-seat restaurant, a health center, a spa and 10 retail shops, appeared to be abandoned by its developers.

20 years ago – 1994
The Hill community and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department were waiting for confirmation that a body found along the North Fork of the San Jacinto River was that of Aziz Ghazal, a man wanted in the double homicide of his estranged wife, Rebecca Vallstedt-Ghazal, and their 13-year-old daughter, Khadijah Ghazal, both of Pine Cove.

15 years ago – 1999
Tom Frankovich was walking his dog when he came across a large patch burning between Pine Dell Estates and the Strawberry Creek Square. After calling 911, he and six men from Fairway Market snuffed out the fire with water buckets and a fire extinguisher.

10 years ago – 2004
The Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce was to host its first WinterFest celebration in the heart of Idyllwild.

5 years ago – 2009
Part-time Pine Cove resident Paul Kallmes, an engineer, had supervised the new design of the New Year’s Eve Ball in New York’s Times Square.

1 year ago – 2013
Local business owners met at the Idyllwild Fire Station to discuss a range of options they could take to deter further commercial burglaries.

Similar Posts

  • 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: Aug. 2, 2012

    65 years ago – 1947 A new telephone service was inaugurated, offering six trunk lines to Hemet.   60 years ago – 1952 Paul and Mary Gormley were manning the lookout post at Ranger Peak. During the rest of the year, the Gormleys worked as cook and butler for a family in the San Francisco…

  • |

    Past Tense: November 24, 2022

    75 years ago – 1947Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Carmen reminisced about the good old days in Idyllwild. They remembered Fern Valley as a fern-filled meadow without many trees, with cattle grazing in Round and Tahquitz valleys. 70 years ago – 1952During a major snowstorm, Ada Morlan, Chamber secretary, left an evening committee meeting. Finding no…

  • |

    Past Tense: March 4, 2021

    70 years ago – 1951Snow plows were busy with a 2-foot snowfall. 65 years ago – 1956Chamber Membership Chair Glenn Froehlich reported that reaching the goal of 500 Chamber memberships was getting close with a current total of 394 members. 60 years ago – 1961Because of the continued absence of moisture, the Forest Service posted…