From left, Cambodian Princess Monique and Prince Norodon Sihanouk with Robert Balzer, owner of the Tirol Restaurant in Pine Cove, in October 1961 when the royals paid a visit to Idyllwild.Photo by Ernie Maxwell
From left, Cambodian Princess Monique and Prince Norodon Sihanouk with Robert Balzer, owner of the Tirol Restaurant in Pine Cove, in October 1961 when the royals paid a visit to Idyllwild. Photo by Ernie Maxwell

65 years ago - 1949

There were heated arguments at the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding whether the Chamber acted properly in endorsing plans for a cocktail bar at the Idyllwild Inn.

 

60 years ago - 1954

During the opening weekend of Idyllwild Market, owner Joe Darnell rigged up an alarm set to go off at intervals. Whoever was at the check stand when it went off got their groceries free.

 

55 years ago - 1959

Admiral John R. McKinney, Ret., presented a flag from the U.S.S. Constitution to the local American Legion Post 800.

 

50 years ago - 1964

The Lou Adams Sports and Western Wear shop was advertising men’s blue work jeans for $1.99 a pair.

 

45 years ago - 1969

Pine Cove dedicated  its recently completed fire house.

 

40 years ago - 1974

It was reported that due to the gasoline crisis, motorcycles were becoming more evident on the streets of Idyllwild.

 

35 years ago - 1979

Six businessmen from Japan spent a day in Idyllwild as part of a Rotary International group study exchange program.

 

30 years ago - 1984

A seven-member panel discussed “What Can We as Citizens Do?” about preventing nuclear war during a public forum sponsored by Concerned Citizens of Idyllwild.

 

25 years ago - 1989

Plans were submitted to Riverside County by developers Maureen Jones and Dick Krupp for construction of a building that would become known as The Fort.

 

20 years ago - 1994

Camp Emerson, the oldest Boy Scout camp west of the Mississippi River, made plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary with activities and fund-raisers throughout the year.

 

15 years ago - 1999

Nearly 40 people from various organizations throughout the Hill area met to discuss ways for the community to prepare for possible Y2K glitches.

 

10 years ago - 2004

The Forest Service was seeking volunteers to help plant 21,000 bare-root pine seedlings to replace trees lost to fire or insects.

 

5 years ago - 2009

Raymond Lee Oyler, 38, of Beaumont, was on trial for charges of starting 23 fires, including the 2006 Esperanza Fire, which killed five U.S. Forest Service firefighters.

 

1 year ago - 2013

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, the day the jury trial was to have commenced, Ron Kimmerle, 49, and Taylor Dravenstatt, 20, both of Idyllwild, entered guilty pleas to single counts of felony burglary, were convicted and were formally sentenced to four years in state prison.