65 years ago – 1948 Formal opening ceremonies were to be held to mark the completion of the Banning-Idyllwild Highway. 60 years ago – 1953 The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Geological Survey Division began a project to map inaccessible areas in the local mountains. 55 years ago – 1958 The Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce…
65 years ago – 1948 With a net profit of almost $4,000 from the Gold Strike, the Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce paid off a $1,500 note to the bank, borrowed to help build Town Hall. 60 years ago – 1953 Forty members of the Camp Pendleton Marine Band performed at the Community Campfire. 55 years…
65 years ago – 1948 Ernie Maxwell, in a demur, bathing suit of the 1890s complete with black stockings, limped into third place in the Businessman’s Committee’s bearded bathing beauty contest. 60 years ago – 1953 The first thundershower of the season left .35 inches of moisture and started four forest fires. 55 years ago…
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…
65 years ago – 1948 Five new street lights were installed in Pine Cove by the Improvement Club. 60 years ago – 1953 Paul and Alma Wood came to Idyllwild on their honeymoon and decided to stay. So they opened a self-service laundry. 55 years ago – 1958 Lots at Tahquitz Lake Estates were going…
65 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. 60 years ago – 1953 Four children — Earlene Dick, Jimmy Johnson, Gary Anderson and Arty Yates — comprised the graduating…
65 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. 60 years ago – 1953 A “beach” area was added to the Idyllwild Plunge…
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…
65 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. 50 years ago – 1963 A Lynwood glider pilot unexpectedly set his craft down on a green at…
65 years ago – 1948 Town Crier raised its annual subscription rate to $2.50. The paper was biweekly except during summer, when it was published every week. 60 years ago – 1953 A new business opening in Fern Valley Corners was Bill Francisco’s Professional Pharmacy. 55 years ago – 1958 A variety show at Town…
