Historic homes featured in annual home tour

The Idyllwild Area Historical Society (IAHS) will hold its annual Idyllwild home tour, “A Timeline of Treasures,” from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16. Six homes will be on the tour, taking visitors from early 20th century cabins to mid-century moderns and beyond, and from careful preservation to imaginative remodeling. The tour is the group’s biggest fundraiser.

This year, IAHS President Charlotte Groty said advanced ticket sales have surpassed total sales from past years, so visitors should be prepared to park a little further than usual from the homes, and sometimes wait to enter.

“The popularity of this year’s tour has exceeded our expectations. You may experience longer waits and lines at some of the homes, however our all-volunteer team will do its best to advise waiting times and organize parking so that all can enjoy these treasures. The time inside each home may be a bit less than in past years, but we truly hope that all our guests will understand and enjoy our special homes.”

Those who decide to brave the crowds will be treated to an exceptional lineup that will satisfy lovers of history, architecture and real estate, and sate the natural curiosity of those who wonder how their neighbors live. Groty provided the Crier a synopsis of this year’s attractions:

“It’s rare to see the inside of an original 1910 Strawberry Valley cabin, especially one that was built by hand 113 years ago. This little gem was purchased by this family in the late ’20s and maintained carefully ever since. It features an original stone icehouse, a unique find in our village. This is your chance to dive back into the past and imagine what it was like to live on this mountain before running water, electrical power, telephones, and even automobiles.

“Your next stop will also bring you back in time to old Idyllwild but now it’s 1928. This cabin is 500 square feet of living history. It features very clever built-ins which were quite necessary as you will see as you walk through. It remains unchanged today with its original doors, windows, hardware, and a very special wood burning stove — which the family still uses to cook Thanksgiving dinner.

“For the next home, we move forward to the 1930s and find what started life as a quaint fishing cabin. Gradually over the years it was enlarged and in the 1950s the house was a lodge and still has the original sign out front. The original pocket kitchen which served the lodge guests is still intact. The current owners are artists and have lovingly renovated this home and added a wooden bridge through nearby trees leading to their breathtaking artist’s studio.

“Many homes are an evolution, with a modest start but visions of what might be possible. We now approach one that began life as a 1920s bungalow. The owner, in partnership with a very skilled local contractor possessing an artistic vision, has undertaken a complete and grand transformation inside and out. They literally ‘raised the roof’ and added new windows, a skylight, and a new loft. The stonework, by one of our local craftsmen, is stunning and the spaces feature unique local artwork.

“For those of us who crave Mid-century Modern, we present a later work by architect E. Stewart Williams. Mr. Williams was a highly respected architect throughout the Coachella Valley, with works that include the Palm Springs Art Museum, Frank Sinatra’s ‘Twin Palms’ residence and many others. This 1982 home features a towering 35-foot ceiling with a 30-foot glass wall that makes the forest outside seem like a part of the home.

“With five traditional homes there must be one more that is out of this world. Climb 39 rock steps back to the future with a 1960s vision-evoking Jetsons-like space travel. It is a registered California Historical Landmark. Built in a factory with structural reinforced fiberglass, it features just 520 square feet of living area. It’s now the owners’ historically restored private hideaway perched on rock high above the street. With that, access will be limited due to the rock steps to reach this futuristic gem.”

Tickets are $25. Online sales are closed, but some tickets may be available starting at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the tour, at the will-call pop-up in front of the Idyllwild Inn, 54300 Village Center Dr. Those who purchased tickets online will need to bring their receipt or a copy on their mobile device to will-call. They also will be required to fill out a waiver of liability. Wear comfortable walking shoes.