Past Tense

75 years ago – 1949

The U.S. Forest Service reported that 90 inches of snow had fallen in Idyllwild since Oct. 1.

70 years ago – 1954

Local children, in the spirit of making this “America’s Cleanest Forest,” launched a cleanup campaign.

65 years ago – 1959

ISOMATA appointed a committee to develop plans for a 10th-anniversary celebration in the summer.

60 years ago – 1964

William Dickinson, pioneer Idyllwild developer who was president of the Idyllwild Mountain Park Company, passed away at his Fern Valley home.

55 years ago – 1969

Emsy Dunn, former Idyllwild School principal, was chosen to receive a Freedoms Foundation award.

50 years ago – 1974

In the midst of a severe gasoline shortage throughout the southland, Hill gas stations were able to provide gas to visitors until Monday of the three-day Washington’s Birthday holiday.

45 years ago – 1979

Opposing groups argued their viewpoints on the proposed Baldy Mountain recreational vehicle park at a public meeting at Town Hall.

40 years ago – 1984

Lake Hemet Municipal Water District officials announced plans to develop the southern shore of Lake Hemet into a 500- to 600-campsite individual ownership campground.

35 years ago – 1989

The project application and plot plans were submitted to the county for the Skyline Retreat Project. The controversial project proposed a complex on Strawberry Creek containing a conference center, a 120-room hotel, a 168-seat restaurant, a health center, a spa and about 10 retail shops.

30 years ago – 1994

Idyllwild Water District officials were considering increasing rates to remedy a budget shortfall that had existed for more than a decade. Sewer fund revenues were not covering the expenses of operating the sewer, creating a $36,000 annual shortfall.

25 years ago – 1999

Local teenagers put on a “For Teens by Teens Valentine’s Dance” at Town Hall. Mountain Community Patrol provided security for the event.

20 years ago – 2004

The newly paved Contreras Road leading to the Hamilton Museum in Anza was opened to traffic thanks to $130,000 in funds from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors.

15 years ago – 2009

Already a winter for the records, with the fourth-highest snowfall totals for February, Idyllwild received more rain and snow over Valentine’s Day weekend, with snowfall totals for Feb. 9 to 15 of 18.7 inches. The 16th brought another 1.75 inches. Higher elevations received more snow accumulation.

10 years ago – 2014

A Banning man was arraigned on 13 felony counts connected to nine arson fires in Riverside and San Bernardino counties between 2011 and 2013, the Riverside County District Attorney’s office announced. Six of the fires were in the San Jacinto Mountains.

5 years ago – 2019

Due to torrential rains, Highway 243 was completed severed (both lanes gone) in two places north of Lake Fulmor. Highway 74 west to Hemet was no longer passable.

1 year ago – 2023

In early February, Idyllwild Library Manager Shannon Ng was balancing her two positions, but Feb. 10, Riverside County Pubblic Library System told her to step into her new responsibilities full-time. She was deputy for the western portion of the county. This includes 11 local libraries, but unfortunately, not Idyllwild.