Past Tense: March 19, 2020
70 years ago – 1950
Former 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 Hoover’s wife who was known for her support of the Girl Scouts.
65 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.
60 years ago – 1960
Reforestation of South Ridge began with planting 5,000 Jeffrey and Coulter pines. The area had been logged several years previously.
55 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.
50 years ago – 1970
It was reported that membership in the Idyllwild Property Owners Association had surpassed 500 people. Annual dues were $4.
45 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.
40 years ago – 1980
It was reported that building activity on the Mountain was down 71% from the previous year, the largest decline recorded among Riverside County’s unincorporated areas.
35 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.
30 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.
25 years ago – 1995
After two years of rancorous debate over sex education, the Hemet Unified School District voted to eliminate its sex education curriculum.
20 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.”
15 years ago – 2005
Gregg Casselberry was the new assistant district ranger for the San Jacinto Ranger District.
10 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.
5 years ago – 2015
U.S. Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz, D-36, was on the Hill to discuss and advance his concerns about wildfires and his legislation (H.R. 1009) submitted the previous month.
1 year ago – 2019
Peter Davison, of Idyllwild, won another silver medal for New Age from the Global Music Awards for his CD “Blooming Memories of Springs.”
