Past Tense

Past Tense

Past Tense

75 years ago – 1948 At long last, a suitable place was found for a mountain branch of the county library — a small building on the Fern Valley Lodge property. Volunteer librarians were being sought. 70 years ago – 1953 Sierra Club members of the rock-climbing division again tackled Tahquitz Rock. Several new routes…

Past Tense
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Past Tense

75 years ago – 1948 A Christmas fire at the dump caught many firemen in their Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes. Swede Pitt tramped among the the burning debris in a starched white shirt and his best pants rolled to the knees. 70 years ago – 1953 Hope Bell, librarian, reported that circulation in the local library doubled…

Past Tense: December 29, 2022
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Past Tense: December 29, 2022

75 years ago – 1947A snowfall of 12 to 24 inches was believed attributable to dry ice dropped from a plane sent by Hemet Valley Flying Service and Cal Tech observers. 70 years ago – 1952C. Selden Belden, pioneer resident and furniture maker, died in Hemet. 65 years ago – 1957Fern Valley Mutual Water District…

Past Tense: November 24, 2022
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Past Tense: November 24, 2022

75 years ago – 1947Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Carmen reminisced about the good old days in Idyllwild. They remembered Fern Valley as a fern-filled meadow without many trees, with cattle grazing in Round and Tahquitz valleys. 70 years ago – 1952During a major snowstorm, Ada Morlan, Chamber secretary, left an evening committee meeting. Finding no…

Past Tense: October 13, 2022
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Past Tense: October 13, 2022

70 years ago – 1952Volunteers were busy finishing the interior of the Catholic Church in knotty pine. 65 years ago – 1957Celebrating Fire Protection Week, Chief Bill Price rolled trucks into the school yard to demonstrate equipment. The show ended when assisting room mothers handed out ice cream cones to all. 60 years ago –…

Past Tense: October 6, 2022
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Past Tense: October 6, 2022

75 years ago – 1947Postmaster Harry Wendelken lamented, “There’s Idyllwilds all over the country, and all the mail for the other Idyllwilds comes to this station.” 70 years ago – 1952Wilma Chapman was conscientious about the change to standard time. She set her clock resolutely and hopped into bed. In the darkness of dawn, she…