Idyllwild Area Historical Society

At an event held at the Idyllwild Library, four long time residents share their personal stories of what life was like in Idyllwild in the decades past...

Random Accession... The Idyllwild Stage picking up passengers at The Idyllwild Inn for the drive on the one-way dirt road into Hemet. The Inn used to sit where the current IdyPark is today. Tahquitz Rock is behind the Inn in this photo. Estimated before 1915.

The Village Lane Arcade 1954. It started as a dirt alley leading to an early residence at the back. During Idyllwild's post war boom, it was developed as a prime central village location for tourists. Photo: Ellis Greist (Pg. 24 "Idyllwild Through Time; Arcadia Press)

The housing boom in Idyllwild...

A Map of the Idyllwild Area as it was first conceived by Idyllwild inc. in 1928. Sharp eyes will note that some features have disappeared while others never were and, of course, some will always be.

The beautiful Ball Room at the original Idyllwild Inn. Hanging from the ceiling are sprigs of Cedar in preparation for The Dance Under the Cedars. Photo by Avery Field.

Pictured here is a horse train and buggy crossing Strawberry Creek on one of Idyllwild's original roads called Toll Gate. The creek is now covered by a bridge now familiar to most locals and marks the entrance to the Idyllwild Arts campus. The picture here is a frame clipping from the 1919 movie "Blind Husbands" by famed director Eric Von Stroheim which shot many of it's exteriors in Idyllwild. One can catch many familiar Idy views in the movie. You find the full movie on YouTube.

Idyllwild, About 1900.

The news today. 119 years ago. (Riverside Press and Horticulturist, Sept 20, 1901)

For 2020 we look at more than 10 years of the Idyllwild Home Tour. A collection of over 60 photos showing some of the most distinctive and unique homes on our mountain. We hope you like it and we'll see you again soon.

October 18th, 1918. Riverside Daily Press