Past Tense: November 11, 2021

70 years ago – 1951
Building started on the new Idyllwild Motel, a 10-unit structure on Pine Crest behind La Cantina.

65 years ago – 1956
An Arabian horse show climaxed Palm Springs’ Western Week. Mary Nelson of Idyllwild was chair of the show, with Claire Woodmouse assisting.

60 years ago – 1961
The Alandale Water Company filed articles of incorporation in Sacramento to supply water service of about 900 acres in the vicinity of Stone Creek.

55 years ago – 1966
After a 34-year search, Mrs. Elbert McKissack of Mountain Center located her mother in a Cleveland suburb. McKissack had been raised by foster parents.

50 years ago – 1971
Vandals broke into the Idyllwild Elementary School, stealing a broken pair of scissors and the secretary’s apple.

45 years ago – 1976
Legal questions on some wording in the draft REMAP were requiring county counsel’s opinion. The questionable paragraph attempted to protect unconforming areas under the new plan.

40 years ago – 1981
Phil Hodges, Gordon Lee and Bill Whitener were elected to the three positions on the Idyllwid Fire Protection District Board of Commissioners. Bruce Adams was re-elected to another term as a trustee on the Hemet Unified School District board.

35 years ago – 1986
A 3.1 earthquake centered 18 miles southwest of Palm Springs and a 3.2 earthquake centered 19 miles west of Palm Springs were both felt on the Hill the same day, Nov. 3.

30 years ago – 1991
More than 800 people joined in the carnival on Halloween night. Plans were to make it bigger for the next year.

25 years ago – 1996
Idyllwild residents voted down the controversial Measure Q, a parcel fee to support a recreation center on the Hill.

20 years ago – 2001
A 5.1 earthquake centered 10 miles southeast of Anza hit just before midnight Oct. 30.

15 years ago – 2006
Chamber of Commerce 1st Vice President Geoffrey Caine announced James Campbell as the new director of Town Hall Recreation. Campbell was unanimously chosen from a pool of applicants to replace Bob Lewis who had recently accepted a position with Riverside County.

10 years ago – 2011
Marge Muir, one of Idyllwild’s most iconic and esteemed residents, who had lived on the Hill for 53 years, and been involved as a volunteer in more boards and service organizations than most can remember, turned 80 years young on Sunday, Nov. 13.

5 years ago – 2016
American Legion Post 800 had raised $14,424 toward the $20,000 needed for a new roof.

1 year ago – 2020
The Town Crier contacted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department media information bureau after learning that another woman had gone missing.