Past Tense: January 5, 2017
By
65 years ago – 1951 Dutton’s Corner Store, owned by Leigh and Maggie Dutton, opened its doors at Fern Valley Corners on the site of the former Fern Valley Market. 60 years ago – 1956 At a ceremony held at the little Native American cemetery at Cahuilla, a marker on the grave of Juan Diego…
70 years ago – 1949 More tracks of the mountain lion previously sighted around Ernie Maxwell’s cabin were spotted. The visitor seemed to be more curious than hungry. 65 years ago – 1954 Oscar Lawler, prominent Los Angeles attorney, donated his 80-acre estate in the Dark Canyon area to the county. The donation was made…
65 years ago – 1949 The Glenn Froehlichs announced that the Rustic Theatre would open starting May 1. 60 years ago – 1954 New benches for Town Hall’s campfire area were under construction. Almost $2,000 was available for the project. 55 years ago – 1959 The Izaak Walton League was planning a major…
65 years ago – 1948 A surprised carpenter, visiting from Pomona, won a new Ford in the Gold Strike celebration. His winning ticket was pulled from the 4,750 sold. 60 years ago – 1953 A three-man survey crew headed into the hot wilderness to determine the number of bighorn sheep in game refuge 4-D. 55…
65 years ago – 1950 A new layout for the Idyllwild brochure was planned at a meeting of the Chamber’s Businessmen’s Committee. 60 years ago – 1955 State Park Ranger Frank Davies reported he would have a six-man crew working on the backcountry trails during summer. Extensive repairs were planned for the trails that were…
70 years ago – 1947 Fred Patton revealed he was smuggled into this area. “Back in 1895,” he recalled, “a man stole me from my folks up in Sonoma County. He was interested in gold mining over by Kenworthy and he hijacked me along to help him.” The mining experience didn’t amount to much, but…
