Homes&LandImprovement I DY L LW I L D
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Our town: A tradition of community involvement The building of Town Hall Residents have historically stepped up to join in the effort to improve our town. As the community plans for and works toward building a new community center and playground, we look back on the history of such projects in Idyllwild. Construction of the playground is slated to begin in June, when local builders and organizers will coordinate a workforce of residents who are asked to volunteer their time to build something lasting for the benefit of our town. In 1946, Idyllwild residents set the foundation for this level of community involvement when they gathered to build Town Hall. By Ernie Maxwell Published in the EMax Almanac, 1984
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lthough not entirely completed, the Idyllwild Community Building (now Town Hall) was officially dedicated July 10, 1947, with dancing
to the music of the Mounted Music Makers. Gene Kincaid, chamber president, was master of ceremonies. Harold Sanborn, chairman of the building committee, was given a present and a long list of contributors to the project was read. A community building was chosen as a project late in 1945 after a committee picked to develop an annual Tahquitz Pageant decided a meeting place, rehearsal facility and place for storing costumes came first. The Idyllwild Chamber of Commerce was
Above, Locals worked to finish up the forms for the Town Hall foundation in December, 1946. At left, mixing concrete for the Town Hall foundation (foreground, from left), Rollin Humber, Chuck Roberts, Vic Poates, Bill Hirsh and Jim Patton. All photos courtesy of Idyllwild Area Historical Society Museum
incorporated on February 6, 1946, when plans for the building were already underway. At first, it was thought another structure – now Silver See Town Hall, page 6
INSIDE: Interim Fire Chief Sherman on fire safety and abatement, pg. 4; Winter, where are you? Preparing for a drought, pg. 5; Ask an Expert, pg. 7; and a short history of the Mountains and the community we love, pg. 8