Past Tense: Sept. 6, 2012
55 years ago – 1957
Pine Dell Estates was a new development in town, just below the village on National Forest Highway [aka Highway 243].
50 years ago – 1962
It had been 75 days since the last measurable moisture. High temperature for the week was a sizzling 96 degrees.
• • •
With the new Sabin oral polio vaccine available, the County Medical Association was planning a massive immunization program called “Sabin on Sundays.”
45 years ago – 1967
ISOMATA [Idyllwild Arts Academy] was the beneficiary of $80,000 in donations during the year, Dr. Max Krone reported.
40 years ago – 1972
The Vista Fire was controlled after 3,440 acres of brush and timber had been blackened. It was the worst fire in this area since 1943.
30 years ago – 1982
Capparelli Realty won the men’s softball championship for the season.
25 years ago – 1987
Local firefighting officials reported that the siege of lightning-sparked wildfires throughout California had taken its toll on the Idyllwild firefighting force. The first 10 days of September also saw a total of 18 lightning-caused fires in the area.
15 years ago – 1997
A fierce storm hit Idyllwild with lightning, thunder and sheets of rain. An estimated 500 residents were out of electrical power anywhere from 30 minutes to six hours. No major weather-related injuries were reported. Idyllwild received a total of .43 inches of rain.
5 years ago – 2007
In the wake of the reactions to their resignations, Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce President Bill Triplett and 2nd Vice President Lou Bacher changed their minds and rescinded their resignations.
1 year ago – 2011
The Twin Fire near Twin Pines Road was contained within hours and only burned five acres. Combating the fire resulted in the closure of Highway 243 for several hours.
