75 years ago – 1947 Fred Patton revealed he was smuggled into this area. “Back in 1895,” he recalled, “a man stole me from my folks up in Sonoma County. He was interested in gold mining over by Kenworthy and he hijacked me along to help him.” The mining experience didn’t amount to much, but…
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…
75 years ago – 1947A wave of ladybugs buzzed through the village, coming out of hibernation. Somebody proposed an annual village lottery on the date the yearly flight would take place. 70 years ago – 1952The Froehlichs were readying their new Rustic Theatre for a mid-June opening. Promised features included “a sloping floor, loge seats…
75 years ago – 1947Idyllwild’s first switch-board was installed at the home of Jess Brown. When prodded for comment, Jess said, “Just don’t have anybody phone anybody before 9:30 Sunday morning.” 65 years ago – 1957May was headed for the wettest on record, with 4.54 inches of rain and snow recorded for the month. Season’s…
70 years ago – 1952Work began on a new bridge across Strawberry Creek at Fern Valley Corners, replacing a 25-year-old wooden structure. 65 years ago – 1957It was the wettest May anyone could remember. The season’s total rain and snowfall was 5 inches below normal, but late rains and snows were extremely beneficial as summer…
75 years ago – 1947The U.S. Forest Service reported the insect situation had become critical in the Idyllwild area. Warm weather added another hatch of bugs and 750 trees were infected. 70 years ago – 1952The season’s rainfall totaled 43 inches.• • •Town Crier saluted Denis Evarts Bowman as one of Idyllwild’s most distinguished citizens….
65 years ago – 1957Bee Krone composed the song “Let’s Keep America Beautiful,” and Philippe Buhler composed music for a string quartet that was given a first performance at the University of Redlands. 60 years ago – 1962The county Board of Supervisors launched a campaign to have the Banning-Idyllwild Highway taken into a state highway…
70 years ago – 1952The Kretsingers wrote from Nebraska, very homesick for Idyllwild.• • •The congregation of the Community Church accepted Rev. Donald D. Warner’s resignation. 65 years ago – 1957A well-organized search party covered a great deal of rough country between the Stone Creek and Pine Cove areas. They found a lost boy, Timothy…
70 years ago – 1952The Chamber of Commerce boasted 66 business members and 223 nonbusiness members. 65 years ago – 1957The U.S, Forest Service reported the poorest snow pack since the annual surveys began. Average depth on the course was 3.15 inches, with several of the measuring points bare. 60 years ago – 1962Rain, snow,…
70 years ago – 1952Dr. M.M. Null announced that he had hundreds of small sequoias to be given to residents and property owners free of charge. The little redwoods were grown for planting in the community. 65 years ago – 1957Clarence Bischof purchased the San Jacinto Lumber Yard. 60 years ago – 1962Paramount Picture’s “Breakfast…
