60 years ago – 1952 Capt. Carmen Durrance, international president of NIP, was on the Hill. NIP stands for Not Important People. The organization was founded on April Fool’s Day. 55 years ago – 1957 Work started on Bluebird Hill Lodge, which was planned to be Idyllwild’s most elaborate motel. A children’s playground, a…
65 years ago – 1947 Town Crier visited the Kretsingers: “In the front room, a rehearsal of the Mounted Music Makers was in process. Jean was strumming his guitar, Evie was at the piano, and little George was singing at the top of his voice. Down at Kretsinger Corners, everyone gets a BANG out of…
65 years ago – 1947 A big celebration was planned to complete the community building, with Norma Sanborn in charge of the dance and entertainment. Residents were asked to bring their own chairs. Those wishing to donate chairs would get their names engraved on the back. 60 years ago – 1952 The pool at Hidden…
60 years ago – 1952 Evie Kretsinger passed on a comment on TV: “Before the dawn of civilization, primitive man ate raw meat in dark caves and gazed at the pictographs he had painted on the walls. As man became civilized, he dined by candlelight and food became a social ritual. Now, man is right…
65 years ago – 1947 It was announced that whoever was nearest the button would blow the fire siren daily at noon. No guarantee was made, however, that the timing would be accurate. 40 years ago – 1972 The Idyllwild Water board held a public meeting to answer questions about the water shortage. One…
65 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…
60 years ago – 1952 MGM was filming “Desperate Search” around Lake Hemet, starring Jane Greer, Howard Keel and Keenan Wynn. The company headquartered at the Idyllwild Inn. 55 years ago – 1957 A reading room was added to the Christian Science Church with Hazel Loy as librarian. 50 years ago – 1962 Idyllwild…
65 years ago – 1947 A 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. 60 years ago – 1952 The Froehlichs were readying their new Rustic Theatre for a mid-June opening. Promised features included “a sloping floor,…
65 years ago – 1947 It was school board election time, but none of the five people nominated was a registered voter. It was necessary to write in names of candidates. 60 years ago – 1952 A group of students of Christian Science, which had been meeting informally for four years, became officially the Christian…
60 years ago – 1952 A meeting was announced to consider school unification. Under the proposal, Idyllwild’s school would be combined with the Hemet-San Jacinto District. 50 years ago – 1962 Logging trucks started rolling in May Valley, where the Big Bear Timber Company began salvage operations on pines damaged by severe insect attack. About…
