Val Samuelson and Alfred “Zoobie” Zarubica in the 1950s at the Fern Valley Market (now Creekstone Inn.) Photo courtesy Sue Zeigler
Val Samuelson and Alfred “Zoobie” Zarubica in the 1950s at the Fern Valley Market (now Creekstone Inn.) Photo courtesy Sue Zeigler

65 years ago – 1950
Ex-president Herbert Hoover was invited to attend the dedication of the Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Forest at Azalea Trails Girl Scout Camp on June 25. The forest was one of four memorials honoring the former president’s wife who was known for her support of the Girl Scouts.

60 years ago – 1955
Voters approved formation of a county water district to serve the Idyllwild area. Named as commissioners were Glenn Froehlich, Joe McGaugh, Clarence Bischof, Ralph Sturgess and Lou Brittain.

55 years ago – 1960
Reforestation of South Ridge began with planting 5,000 Jeffrey and Coulter pines. The area had been logged several years previously.

50 years ago – 1965
It was announced that Rita Patton would retire on April 30 after serving as postmaster for 26 years. When she started working at the Idyllwild Post Office in 1939, there were about 100 year-round residents and 112 postal boxes.

45 years ago – 1970
It was reported that membership in the Idyllwild Property Owners Association had surpassed 500 people. Dues were $4 annually.

40 years ago – 1975
The Village Market bowling team knocked Smith’s Diggers out of first place as the Pine Nuts’ bowling season neared its end.

35 years ago – 1980
It was reported that building activity on the Mountain was down 71 percent from the previous year, the largest decline recorded among Riverside County’s unincorporated areas.

30 years ago – 1985
Motorcyclists would be allowed to camp at Idyllwild and Hurkey Creek County campgrounds as a result of a new policy by the Riverside County Parks Department. They had previously been banned.

25 years ago – 1990
The Hill Municipal Advisory Council parking committee was planning to recommend that the Riverside County Board of Supervisors turn Park Lane into a parking lot.

20 years ago – 1995
After two years of rancorous debate over sex education, the Hemet Unified School District voted to eliminate its sex education curriculum.

15 years ago – 2000
The Chamber of Commerce presented Fritz Coleman, Channel 4 weatherman, with a plaque and honorary membership in recognition of his help in “putting Idyllwild on the map.”

10 years ago – 2005
Gregg Casselberry was the new assistant district ranger for the San Jacinto Ranger District.

5 years ago – 2010
The U.S. Forest Service concluded its 2009-2010 bald eagle count in the San Bernardino National Forest. The bird census takers confirmed the presence of two Lake Hemet eagles.

1 year ago – 2014
Pine Cove Water District directors unanimously approved the declaration of a water shortage emergency plan. General Manager Jerry Holldber proclaimed a Water Conservation Stage 1, which requires voluntary compliance, effective April 1.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Past Tense: January 21, 2016

    65 years ago – 1951 Twenty-four men, representing areas from Thomas Mountain to Pine Cove, were taking training as members of the Emergency Auxiliary of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office. 60 years ago – 1956 “The Cattle King,” starring George Montgomery and Marcia Hendrickson, was being filmed at the Garner Ranch. Part of the action…

  • |

    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,…

  • Past Tense: April 4, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Chess and bridge were favorite features of evenings at Idyllwild Inn. 60 years ago – 1953 Nearly 30 members had signed up for the newly organized Rifle and Pistol Club sponsored by the American Legion Post 800. 55 years ago – 1958 The Sikkings were about to open their new…

  • |

    Past Tense: September 24, 2015

    65 years ago – 1950 Upon completion of the architectural drawings for the workshops and studios of the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, construction began. 60 years ago – 1955 After four years of planning for zoning despite continuous opposition, the County Planning Commission adopted a master plan for the mountain area, which…

  • |

    Past Tense: November 12, 2020

    70 years ago – 1950U.S. Forest Service officials inspected the newly paved Banning-Idyllwild Highway before its acceptance into the national forest system. 65 years ago – 1955At a hearing before the County Board of Supervisors, a group of about 75 people demanded that the supervisors throw out all mountain zoning and place the resort area…