Heavy cables would be handled by this machinery for the 80-passenger cars that travel from the desert to mountain stations during construction of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram in January, 1963. File photo

65 years ago – 1948
The two-man Forest Service staff, Ranger Don Bauer and Fire Control Assistant Bill Hersh, hiked six hours to Martinez Mountain to check a fire started when a P-80 military jet crashed and exploded.

60 years ago – 1953
The American Legion picked a site between Idyllwild and Mountain Center for a rifle range to be open to the public.

55 years ago – 1958
“Year ’Round Idyllwild Population Soars Over 1,000 Mark,” boasted a Town Crier headline.

45 years ago – 1968
Land on which to build a new fire station was deeded to Riverside County by the Pine Cove Water District.

40 years ago – 1973
Major William Sheffer surprised his family by arriving home unexpectedly from Vietnam. The family already was planning to move to Puerto Rico, the major’s next assignment.

35 years ago – 1978
In a collective bargaining agreement between the Hemet Unified School District and California School Employees Association, employees working in Idyllwild, as well as other mountain communities, were awarded a premium of up to $25 per month.

30 years ago – 1983
Hemet Hospice announced it was expanding its program to cover the Idyllwild area.

25 years ago – 1988
Two mountain lions, a male and a female, were killed in two separate incidents after State Department of Fish and Game officials determined they were a threat to public safety. Both had attacked family pets in residential areas.

20 years ago – 1993
Ken Dahleen, a Rotary Club member, drove relief supplies collected by the group to Tijuana. The recent storms had flooded the city, leaving the people in dire need.

15 years ago – 1998
Hill resident Andrea Wills was elected to attend the Riverside County Academic Decathlon representing Hemet High with 14 of her peers.

10 years ago – 2003
San Diego Chargers defensive end Marcellus Wiley visited the Hill. He sat in front of Jo’An’s Restaurant to meet fans, and also spent time with students from Morning Sky School and their mascot dog named “Charger.”

1 year ago – 2012
Nick Todd, Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce president since October 2010, submitted his resignation both as president and director to the board.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: July 14, 2011

    60 years ago – 1951 Residents reported ice one morning when the temperature dropped to the 30s. 55 years ago – 1956 About 300 people jammed Town Hall to vote on zoning for the Idyllwild area. After a stormy discussion, a zoning plan was adopted by a 5-to-1 majority. 50 years ago – 1961 Bids…

  • |

    Past Tense: July 28, 2016

    65 years ago – 1951 Hikers from the Pathfinder camp experienced a near-tragedy when lightning knocked them to the ground while descending San Jacinto Peak. 60 years ago – 1956 The Norman Roys of Garden Grove purchased 9 acres of the Pauley Ranch off Delano Road, and announced plans to build a “deluxe trailer park”…

  • |

    Past Tense: January 28, 2016

    65 years ago – 1951 The paper shortage created by the Korean War caused  the Town Crier to announce it was limiting the number of copies for newsstand sales. 60 years ago – 1956 At a hearing on state highways, John Gilman and Dick Elliott of the Chamber of Commerce Roads Committee presented a Chamber…

  • Past Tense: June 20, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Bill Butler’s masterpiece, a huge totem pole, was about to be installed in front of the Idyllwild Inn. The pole weighed more than 3 tons, and required 136 hours of carving and 36 hours of painting. 60 years ago – 1953 A “beach” area was added to the Idyllwild Plunge…

  • Past Tense: July 12, 2012

    65 years ago – 1947 A big celebration was planned to complete the community building, with Norma Sanborn in charge of the dance and entertainment. Residents were asked to bring their own chairs. Those wishing to donate chairs would get their names engraved on the back. 60 years ago – 1952 The pool at Hidden…

  • Past Tense

    75 years ago – 1948 “Don’t look for the Town Crier next week,” advised the editor. “We’re skipping every other week to do our winter chores.” 70 years ago – 1953 The Marais-Miranda folk opera “African Heartbeat” premiered at the Bowman, but the weather was so cold the audience huddled in blankets. 65 years ago…