Past Tense: September 4, 2014
File photo
65 years ago – 1949
Forced to retire because of ill health, Postmaster Harry Wendelken announced that Rita Patton had been named acting postmaster for Idyllwild.
60 years ago – 1954
A dinner and campfire program was shaping up to celebrate the Burn the Mortgage party for Town Hall.
55 years ago – 1959
Delegates from the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce met with members of the Hemet Valley Chamber to push improvements for Highway 74 from Mountain Center to Hemet.
50 years ago – 1964
Eleanor Park, in the center of Idyllwild’s business district, underwent beautification.
45 years ago – 1969
In the classifieds: a four-bedroom-plus guest house for $18,750 and a two-bedroom cabin for $18,900.
40 years ago – 1974
It was estimated that the Soboba Fire had burned 17,683 acres, and cost $10 million to fight. It was also reported that many very old trees were lost.
35 years ago – 1979
Jana and Kent Steele were welcomed to Idyllwild. The Steeles moved from the city where Kent was associated with a Beverly Hills law firm. He opened a law office in Idyllwild.
30 years ago – 1984
A transfer station to replace the cut-and-fill dump was recommended by Riverside County Refuse Disposal officials.
25 years ago – 1989
The Lions Club’s deep-pit barbecue had the biggest turnout in the event’s history. More than 1,400 dinners were served.
20 years ago – 1994
More than 1,000 people attended the first, all-day jazz festival held at Idyllwild Arts.
15 years ago – 1999
Two fires on the Hill — the Mixing Fire and the Pine Fire — both apparently set by arsonists, were nearly contained. Jazz in the Pines went ahead as planned.
10 years ago – 2004
In a special election, Pine Cove voters approved a $50 parcel fee to pay for an ambulance service contract with Idyllwild Fire Protection District.
5 years ago – 2009
The Cottonwood Fire began about 5:15 on the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 27, and threatened to cancel Idyllwild’s biggest weekend, Jazz in the Pines.
1 year ago – 2013
A summer storm pummeled Idyllwild with pea-sized hail causing flash flood warnings throughout central Riverside County.
