An early April 1975 snow called for a snow-carving contest at Idyllwild School. Winning the Most Humorous category was this mock casket created by Jamie Cockrell, Joyce Gallagher, Stacey Smith, Gretchen Olson, Ron Arnaiz, Jeff Friemoth and Dana Wilke. File Photo
An early April 1975 snow called for a snow-carving contest at Idyllwild School. Winning the Most Humorous category was this mock casket created by Jamie Cockrell, Joyce Gallagher, Stacey Smith, Gretchen Olson, Ron Arnaiz, Jeff Friemoth and Dana Wilke. File Photo

65 years ago – 1950

The U.S. Forest Service was finishing plans for the Lake Fulmor dedication ceremony.

60 years ago – 1955

First- and second-graders from Idyllwild School were taken by bus to Hemet for polio vaccine shots.

55 years ago – 1960

“Biggest thing since the Inn burned down!” commented Jim Johnson as a 40-foot tree was being transplanted from Pine Cove. Placed in the center of town, the new town Christmas tree, unfortunately, died two years later.

50 years ago – 1965

By a wide margin, voters approved the unification of the Idyllwild, Hemet and Anza area schools.

45 years ago – 1970

The possibility that Garner Valley would be added to the national forest was boosted by the introduction of bills in the House of Representatives authorizing the appropriation of funds for the purchase of the valley.

40 years ago – 1975

Funeral services were held in Los Angeles for film star and part-time Idyllwild resident Marjorie Main. A veteran of 80 movies, Main was best known for her role as the eccentric farm wife in the “Ma and Pa Kettle” movies.

35 years ago – 1980

Due to sudden Santa Ana winds, a U.S. Forest Service controlled burn escaped on the San Bernardino National Forest. The resulting Chimney Fire burned for two days.

30 years ago – 1985

Plans for a helipad at the new Idyllwild Fire Station were put on hold until an official from the state’s Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, reviewed and made recommendations on the proposed site.

25 years ago – 1990

The Idyllwild Water District board voted unanimously to amend a water conservation ordinance to prohibit new or additional water service connections during a severe water-shortage emergency.

20 years ago – 1995

Despite nearly a foot of snow falling on parts of the Hill Easter Sunday, Idyllwild’s Easter Egg Hunt went on as planned.

15 years ago – 2000

The state Department of Education honored Idyllwild School with recognition as a California Distinguished School.

10 years ago – 2005 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved individual assistance for the Idyllwild area for damage incurred during the February windstorms.

5 years ago – 2010

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Peter Carroll approved Valley Health System’s plan of adjustment — its map to emerge from bankruptcy.

1 year ago – 2014

Five earthquakes occurred on the Hill and in nearby areas in recent days.  All were less than 3.0-magnitude.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: November 13, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 A group of volunteer searchers plucked a lost deer hunter out of the rugged North Fork canyon just as he was about to spend his second night in freezing weather without food.   60 years ago – 1954 The Izaak Walton League honored its Woodsmans Breakfast crew for a year…

  • Past Tense: April 18, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 The Town Crier reported that Editor Ernie Maxwell’s cat had five new kittens. 60 years ago – 1953 Sunset magazine featured an article about Idyllwild. 55 years ago – 1958 Actor David Niven stopped at Doro’s Market and visited for a while. 50 years ago – 1963 Five Orange County…

  • |

    Past Tense: October 1, 2015

    65 years ago – 1950 Plans for state riding and hiking trails received a boost when portions of the local trail system were inspected and found to be favorable. 60 years ago – 1955 Desert Sun School over Saunders Meadow Way reopened with one of the largest enrollments in its history. 55 years ago –…

  • Past Tense: Sept. 29, 2011

    60 years ago – 1951 The Town Crier was making plans to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Ernie Maxwell, the paper’s founder, banged out the first issue of the paper on a manual typewriter on Nov. 1, 1946. 55 years ago – 1956 Local Forest Service firefighters had a harrowing close call as they fought a…