Snow figures resembling a Mutt ’n’ Jeff mouse combination adorned the home of the Gary Johnsons in Pine Cove after a February 1976 snowfall. But, alas, even mice with cucumber eyes and carrot teeth bow to the sun.
File photo

60 years ago – 1957

U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton moved into the Dark Canyon-Pine Flats area to begin a series of winter maneuver operations in the snow.

55 years ago – 1962

Noble Allert, an Idyllwild, Hemet Unified School District trustee, accepted an appointment as the combined districts’ spokesman on the area school unification committee.

50 years ago – 1967

A Riverside amateur sports car driver, Dr. Chester J. Ward, was killed on Highway 74 while driving between Mountain Center and the Cranston Ranger Station.

45 years ago – 1972

More than $150,000 in paintings, statues and other valuable items were stolen from the Idyllwild home of Richard A. Carter.

35 years ago – 1982

The Riverside County Fire Station 23 (Pine Cove) Quick Attack truck slid over the side of Highway 243 in Pine Cove, rolling down the mountainside and becoming wedged between two trees. It took a tow truck and a fire truck with a winch to pull up the unit.

30 years ago – 1987

The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit rescued a stranded climber from Tahquitz Rock. Flown in by helicopter, the rescuers rappelled down the face of Tahquitz to bring the climber to safety.

25 years ago – 1992

A bus carrying a church group from Orange Country careened off the road a few miles west of Vista Point, sliding 30 to 50 feet down the mountain, and sending 29 people to four hospitals. All were released later that night.

20 years ago – 1997

Holly Leavitt (O’Farrell now) led the regulars to her Jazzercise class at the Town Hall in a recording of a promotional video for the Jazzercise company. Hundreds of girls auditioned for the 23 spots on the team.

15 years ago – 2002

The majority of the 35 Garner Valley residents at a U.S. Forest Service community workshop opposed continuing a lengthy governmental Forest Plan revision process, but the meetings and discussions looked to last for up to two more years.

10 years ago – 2007

Controversy over how the Idyllwild Environmental Conservancy should manage its relationship with the Idyllwild Water District led to the resignation of the second member, and president, in the previous 12 months.

1 year ago – 2016

Pete “Pedro” Anderson, a much-loved Idyllwild musician, storyteller and artist, died suddenly and unexpectedly from the rapid onset of massive pneumonia.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: July 7, 2011

    60 years ago – 1951 A county road crew installed sidewalks and curbs downtown. 55 years ago – 1956 Actress Marjorie Main, best known for her role as “Ma Kettle,” bought a lot on Dickenson Road. 50 years ago – 1961 A touch of the Old West livened the 4th of July weekend as ropers…

  • |

    Past Tense: June 9, 2016

    65 years ago – 1951 The first services were held in the new Idyllwild Community Presbyterian Church. 60 years ago – 1956 The Idyllwild County Water District took over the Idyllwild Water Company. Meanwhile, the election of the proposed Pine Cove County Water District was set by county supervisors.  50 years ago – 1966 A…

  • |

    Past Tense: July 2, 2020

    70 years ago – 1950 Cliff Campbell was running trail rides into the back country from his corrals at the Idyllwild Dairy.  65 years ago – 1955 Representatives of major conservation organizations met at Bowman Arts Center for the third-annual conservation conference.  60 years ago – 1960 General building contractor William J. Burke advertised a…

  • Past Tense: Feb. 21, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 For the PTA Founders’ Day tea, mothers were asked to bring pennies to match their age. They were permitted, however, to bring them wrapped and to deposit them when no one was looking. 60 years ago – 1953 Mike Michelson fell from an oak tree. An ominous hum from the…

  • Past Tense: Jan. 2, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 The Women’s Association of the Idyllwild Community Church was considering setting up a “bank” of food and clothing for needy families on the Hill. 60 years ago – 1954 Snow finally arrived — 9 to 11 inches of it. It was welcome, for Idyllwild had been through a very dry…