Saturday morning before any music started at the 2008 Jazz in the Pines festival, Alex Vagas (second from left) led his stage crew in a brief prayer. When they finished, the chaos of moving acts on and off the stage became nearly non-stop until Sunday evening. FILe photo
Saturday morning before any music started at the 2008 Jazz in the Pines festival, Alex Vagas (second from left) led his stage crew in a brief prayer. When they finished, the chaos of moving acts on and off the stage became nearly non-stop until Sunday evening. FILe photo

65 years ago – 1950

Les Selander was directing a Western film in Idyllwild with “so many cowhands in jingling spurs clomping through the village.”

60 years ago – 1955

At Dutton’s Corner Store in Fern Valley, 3 pounds of tomatoes were being sold for 19 cents.

55 years ago – 1960

Despite a move by the County Associated Chambers of Commerce urging closure of Thomas Mountain to public use, the U.S. Forest Service remained steadfast in permitting use of the area.

50 years ago – 1965

A year’s subscription to the Town Crier cost just $5.

45 years ago – 1970

A request by the Idyllwild Property Owners Association for a time-limited parking zone in the village was turned down by the County Advisory Traffic Committee because of the unavailability of an enforcement agency.

40 years ago – 1975

On a surveillance mission in the mountains, two members of the Vice and Narcotics Division of the Anaheim Police Department crashed their helicopter on Tahquitz Peak, killing one and injuring the other.

35 years ago – 1980

In an effort to upgrade efficiency of its wastewater disposal system, the Idyllwild Water District was building two new percolation ponds to add to the existing five ponds.

30 years ago – 1985

Members of the Lewitzky Dance Company, renowned artist Harry Sternberg and choral music conductor Thomas Somerville were among the faculty members teaching workshops at ISOMATA.

25 years ago – 1990

At a Give-life Think Tank at the Living Free Animal Sanctuary in Mountain Center, representatives from national animal rights organizations discussed ending the euthanization of unwanted animals by starting low-cost spay and neuter programs and by educating the public.

20 years ago – 1995

Five airlifts for medical emergencies occurred in Pine Cove, which had some residents concerned because of the costliness, as many people did not have insurance.

15 years ago – 2000

At the top of Delano Road, the Center for Prayer Mobilization owned by the Rev. Bruce Morlan moved into the premises formerly owned by the Idyllwild Institute-Fiesta, a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps for high school girls.

10 years ago – 2005

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors was moving to separate the County Fire Department from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, preparing a cost analysis of an independent County Fire Department and classifying the position of county fire chief.

5 years ago – 2010

The inconvenience but inevitability of the Pine Cove Post Office closure was the subject of a special meeting of the Pine Cove Property Owners Association.

1 year ago – 2014

After only about a month, the number of confirmed oaks infested with goldspotted oak borers surged 20 percent, to 48 from the 40 identified at July’s Mountain Area Safety Taskforce, according to Division Chief Gregg Bratcher, Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department forester.

Similar Posts

  • Past tense: June 12, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 The newly formed lake on the Banning-Idyllwild Highway was officially named Lake Fulmor in honor of A.C. Fulmor, county planning commissioner and surveyor whose mission and ingenuity played a prominent part in the realization of the highway.   60 years ago – 1954 Desert Sun School held commencement exercises for…

  • Past Tense: Jan. 16, 2014

    65 years ago – 1949 The Chamber discussed a plan to identify the Hill community with the back country, approving the theme, “Gateway to the Mt. San Jacinto State Park Wilderness.” 60 years ago – 1954 When Norma DeMent opened the Idyllwild Department Store Thursday morning, billows of gaseous smoke poured forth so Norma ran…

  • |

    Past Tense: September 16, 2016

    65 years ago – 1956As summer was drawing to a close, many Idyllwild businesses went on a winter schedule, including the Town Crier, which published every two weeks in the winter. 60 years ago – 1961Drought conditions, which led to an infestation of destructive insects, were causing trees to die at an alarming rate in…

  • Past Tense: Oct. 17, 2013

    The Restaurant Gastrognome became the latest pleasure dome to open in Idyllwild in June of 1973. Located near town center, the gourmet restaurant, reminiscent of the high-ceilinged South Pacific Inn, did sell-out business on its opening weekend. File Photo 65 years ago – 1948 Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce directors voted to “reforest” the San Jacinto…

  • |

    Past Tense: June 16, 2022

    70 years ago – 1952MGM was filming “Desperate Search” around Lake Hemet, starring Jane Greer, Howard Keel and Keenan Wynn. The company headquartered at the Idyllwild Inn. 65 years ago – 1957Camping limits were put on state and county campgrounds in Idyllwild due to the increasing number of visitors. 60 years ago – 1962Idyllwild voted…