The wreck of the Catholic church in February 1944. archive photo

60 years ago – 1957

Police called off the search for Stephen D. Gallagher, who was reported missing while hiking in Tahquitz Canyon. All that was found of him were his clothes and shoes, which he removed before his disappearance.

55 years ago – 1962

Three women joined the Pine Cove fire department’s rescue squad — the first ever. They worked driving the rescue vehicle, caring for the injured and running the communication lines.

50 years ago – 1967

Dr. Spark Schnitzer gave an illustrated lecture about his expedition to Africa in search of documents relating to the 19th century explorer Dr. Emin Pasha, governor of Equatoria during the Mahdi revolt.

45 years ago – 1972

A Hawthorne man triggered an avalanche near San Jacinto Peak, and was carried down the mountain 5,000 feet before landing at the base of Snow Creek Canyon above Palm Springs.

40 years ago – 1977

A 36-year-old transient was arrested in Pine Cove on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and burglary.

35 years ago – 1982

George Kretsinger was honored at a surprise dinner party. He was recognized for outstanding service to the Idyllwild Water District by district officials. He served 10 years on the board and resigned for personal and business reasons.

25 years ago – 1992

Two Idyllwild Elementary School students were injured in a five-car collision on the way back from a school field trip. Luckily, they were OK after the weekend.

20 years ago – 1997

Raymond Lopez, the owner of the Idyll-Awhile Arcade, passed away at age 46.

15 years ago – 2002

“Labor of Love” fed more than 200 locals.

10 years ago – 2007

A couple from Parker, Arizona, were fortunate enough in receiving only minor injuries after their truck overturned and descended 50 feet off of Highway 74 west of Carrizo Road in Pinyon.

5 years ago – 2012

County Service Area 38 Advisory Committee members learned that the county didn’t appear to know the CSA’s boundaries. The county map omits about 40 properties in the Foster Lake area from the CSA, as voted for in 1965.

1 year ago – 2016

President Barack Obama designated three new national monuments in Southern California deserts. The new monuments are Mojave Trails National Monument, Castle Mountains National Monument and the Sand to Snow National Monument, which is in Riverside County.

Similar Posts

  • Past Tense: June 13, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 Pala Indians had predicted 11 days of rain in May, but none fell. 60 years ago – 1953 Volunteers were asked to report to the Town Hall campfire area to build a platform and seats for the community campfire programs. 55 years ago – 1958 It was estimated that 25,000…

  • |

    Past Tense: July 16, 2020

    70 years ago – 1950 Realtors were advertising cabins with fireplaces for $3,750 and acre-sized lots for $1,250. 65 years ago – 1955 C.L. Emerson died in Hemet at the age of 82. He had been associated with the early development of Idyllwild and purchased the Idyllwild Inn in 1917. 60 years ago – 1960…

  • Past Tense: July 11, 2013

    65 years ago – 1948 A surprised carpenter, visiting from Pomona, won a new Ford in the Gold Strike celebration. His winning ticket was pulled from the 4,750 sold. 60 years ago – 1953 A three-man survey crew headed into the hot wilderness to determine the number of bighorn sheep in game refuge 4-D. 55…

  • |

    Past Tense: August 13, 2020

    70 years ago – 1950 Trail improvements, the stringing of a phone line from Tahquitz Peak to Round Valley, campsite maintenance and the building of a well were just some of the projects underway at the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. 65 years ago – 1955 High up on the wooded slopes of Strawberry Valley,…

  • |

    Past Tense: February 28, 2019

    70 years ago – 1949 There were heated arguments at the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce meeting regarding whether the Chamber acted properly in endorsing plans for a cocktail bar at the Idyllwild Inn. 65 years ago – 1954 During the opening weekend of Idyllwild Market, owner Joe Darnell rigged up an alarm set to go…