70 years ago – 1948 Movie star Tim Holt was in town with a film company shooting a western picture in Garner Valley. He brought his favorite movie horse, Lightning, for the film shooting. 65 years ago – 1953 Four children — Earlene Dick, Jimmy Johnson, Gary Anderson and Arty Yates — formed the entire…
70 years ago – 1948 Bill Butler’s masterpiece, a huge totem pole, was about to be installed in front of the Idyllwild Inn. The pole weighed more than 3 tons, and required 136 hours of carving and 36 hours of painting. 65 years ago – 1953 A “beach” area was added to the Idyllwild Plunge…
70 years ago – 1948 Pala Indians had predicted 11 days of rain in May, but none fell. 65 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. 60 years ago – 1958 It was estimated that 25,000…
70 years ago – 1948 Due to error, Dick Elliott’s name was omitted from the ballot in the school district election. But the diligence of his supporters resulted in 160 write-in votes for Elliott, and he won. 65 years ago – 1953 Steven Simpson baked a magnificent cake for school play day. It was red,…
65 years ago – 1953 Woodland Park Manor held an open house inviting the community to inspect its completely furnished units. Accommodation rates were $10 to $15 per couple. 60 years ago – 1958 Ernie Maxwell’s mother, Maude Maxwell, was a guest in town. 55 years ago – 1963 For riding their motorcycles up Devil’s…
70 years ago – 1948 Plans were being made for The Wild Idle Days celebration to be held in July. 65 years ago – 1953 Dick and Virginia Homan took over operation of the Hillbilly Variety Store while owner Edith Oliver recuperated from surgery. 60 years ago – 1958 Idyllwild’s first massage parlor was opened….
70 years ago – 1948 Fern Valley Mutual Water Company installed a 420,000-gallon water tank on Strawberry Creek. 65 years ago – 1953 A record-breaking crowd of anglers hit the Hill for the opening of trout season. A crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 lined banks of Strawberry Creek shoulder-to-shoulder on opening day. 60 years ago…
70 years ago – 1948 A handful of energetic men, women and children scrambled up and down Strawberry Creek, building little dams. The purpose was to deepen the pools and provide quieter living conditions for fish. 65 years ago – 1953 The Chamber of Commerce published a 32-page pictorial magazine called “We Live in Idyllwild”…
70 years ago – 1948 All major streams in the mountains had been stocked for the May 1 trout opener. Among the volunteers were a couple of young boys, Jimmy Johnson and Don Brolin. 65 years ago – 1953 The Chamber of Commerce took action to see how the disturbance caused by bugles and loud…
70 years ago – 1948 The Town Crier reported that Editor Ernie Maxwell’s cat had five new kittens. 65 years ago – 1953 Sunset magazine featured an article about Idyllwild. 60 years ago – 1958 Actor David Niven stopped at Doro’s Market and visited for awhile. 55 years ago – 1963 Five Orange County residents…
