Past Tense: September 5, 2019
70 years ago – 1949
Forced to retire because of ill health, Postmaster Harry Wendelken announced that Rita Patton had been named acting postmaster for Idyllwild.
65 years ago – 1954
A dinner and campfire program was shaping up to celebrate the Burn the Mortgage party for Town Hall.
60 years ago – 1959
Delegates from the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce met with members of the Hemet Valley Chamber to push improvements for the Mountain Center/Hemet section of Highway 74.
55 years ago – 1964
Eleanor Park, in the center of Idyllwild’s business district, underwent beautification.
50 years ago – 1969
In the classifieds, a four-bedroom plus guest house for $18,750 and a two-bedroom cabin for $18,900 were lsited for sale.
45 years ago – 1974
It was estimated that the Soboba Fire had burned 17,683 acres. It cost $10 million to fight. It was also reported that many very old trees were lost.
40 years ago – 1979
Jana and Kent Steele were welcomed to Idyllwild. The Steeles moved from the city where Kent was associated with a Beverly Hills law firm. He opened a law office in Idyllwild.
35 years ago – 1984
A transfer station to replace the cut-and-fill dump was recommended by Riverside County Refuse Disposal officials.
30 years ago – 1989
The Lions Club’s deep-pit barbecue had the biggest turnout in the event’s history. More than 1,400 dinners were served.
25 years ago – 1994
More than 1,000 people attended the first, all-day jazz festival held at Idyllwild Arts.
15 years ago – 1999
Two fires on the hill — the Mixing Fire and the Pine Fire — both allegedly set by arsonists, were nearly contained. Jazz in the Pines went ahead as planned.
15 years ago – 2004
In a special election, Pine Cove voters approved a $50 parcel fee to pay for an ambulance service contract with Idyllwild Fire Protection District.
10 years ago – 2009
The Cottonwood Fire began about 5:15 p.m. on the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 27, and threatened to cancel Idyllwild’s biggest weekend, Jazz in the Pines.
5 years ago – 2014
The California Legislature passed a law that was expected to be signed by the governor. Thin, plastic carry-out bags appeared headed for oblivion.
1 year ago – 2018
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the theft of two heavy air-conditioning units from the roof of Village Market.
