The Fort

 “The Fort.” was originally named  The Center of Idyllwild, as evidenced by the wood carving by Jonathan La Benne on the side facing the highway. Locals, however, quickly dubbed it “The Fort.” When it opened in 1992, the nickname was not meant as a compliment, but as a reflection of how imposing—and to some, monstrous—the building felt as it rose.

Along with the park in the center of town, this parcel of land has undergone more changes than nearly any other location in Idyllwild. When the Idyllwild Sanitarium was built in 1901 where the park is now, this property served as the adjacent commercial center. A small rock building housed a generator that operated from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., providing power to the sanitarium and later to the Idyllwild Inn, which stood where the park is now. The road in front of the Fort, Park Lane, was not originally a road at all, but the driveway to the Inn.

Around this time, a general store and post office were added, transforming the area into the hub of town life and marking the beginning of tourism in Idyllwild. People stopped to buy groceries, pick up their mail, and catch up on local news.

When Claudius Emmerson purchased the Idyllwild Inn in 1917, he began developing his holdings to attract summer visitors. He built “The Plunge,” a concrete swimming pool next to the general store. Emmerson went bankrupt in 1936, and in 1941 the store, post office, and power building burned down.

The pool survived, and a recreation center called Sportland (also known for a time as Idyll Hof) was eventually built beside it, featuring bowling lanes, a snack bar, and an amusement center. That building burned down after just one year but was rebuilt soon afterward. Nineteen years later, the sports facility—including the pool—was demolished and replaced by an upscale restaurant called the Carriage Inn. Ten years later, in 1976, the Carriage Inn was also torn down. The property then remained vacant for twelve years, until the building now known as “The Fort” was finally constructed and opened in 1992.

The Perfect Month

Did you know that this February is “The Perfect Month”? It starts on Sunday and ends on a Saturday leaving NO empty spaces. The last time this happened was in 2015, and it won’t happen again until 2037.

Saturday February 7th
Art Alliance Member Mingle
Harvey House
54420 South Circle
1 pm – 4 pm

Sundays
Farmer’s Market
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
9am – 2pm

Sunday February 8th
Live Pottery Demonstration
With Dr. T
Mountain Pottery
54240 Pine Crest Ave.
1:00 pm
FREE

Demo includes throwing, clay slab and sprig mold combined to create an amazing large wall planter.

Sunday February 8th
Super Bowl Party
LIVE on the Big Screen
Rustic Theatre
2:00 pm

Monday February 9th
Beat Night
Middle Ridge Winery
54301 North Circle
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Poetry

Tuesday February 10th
Monthly Quilt Club Meeting
Community Church
54400 North Circle
9:30 am
Everyone Welcome

Tuesday February 10th
Line Dancing
The Peak Restaurant (upstairs)
55251 South Circle
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
FREE

Wednesday February 11th
Sadie’s Clinic
ARF
26890 Hwy. 243
9 am – 3 pm
Call for appt. or walk-ins welcome.

The clinic focuses on vaccines and preventive care and saves your pets the uncomfortable ride down the mountain.

Wednesday, February 11th
Storytime “Valentine’s Day” 
Idyllwild Library
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Join us for a heart-felt adventure filled with sweet stories that celebrate the magic of friendship and love!

Wednesday February 11th
Men’s Book Club
“The Tiger” By John Valiant
Idyllwild Library
6:00 pm

Remembering Your Pet
ARF Wind Chime Garden
26890 Hwy. 243

Bring a wind chime to add to the memorial garden, or your pet’s collar. Feel free to sit and enjoy the garden anytime.

Earth Day
Free Trees for Kids
Register Now

Coming Soon
Thursday/Saturday/Sunday
February 12, 14,15
Live Theatre
“IDY LOVERS”

Body & Soul

Click Here for a list of Yoga, Pilates, Aerobics, Meditation & Hypnosis in Idyllwild.

Idyllwild Climbers Alliance

The Idyllwild Climbers Alliance is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization based in Idyllwild, whose mission is to serve as an advocacy and stewardship resource for climbing in  the San Jacinto Mountains (especially Tahquitz & Suicide Rocks). We welcome anyone who has an interest in climbing in these areas, and wishes to give back to these fantastic, historic places. Our new website (www.idyllwildclimbers.org) contains a wealth of good information about climbing in this area, including:

*Climbing area information
*History of climbing at Tahquitz & Suicide Rocks
*Conditions reports and upcoming events
*How to become involved as volunteer ‘Allies’ or donations
*Trip planning and resources

The ICA is the premier source for climbing information in the San Jacinto Mountains- more information at:www.idyllwildclimbers.org
info@idyllwildclimbers.org

Delivery in Idyllwild

Bear Necessities Delivered
Groceries/Restaurant Food/Mail/Pharmacy/Etc.
Call or Text: (951) 512-0800
Available 7 Days a Week
Everyday: 11 am – 8 pm
Deliver to Idyllwild, Pine Cove & Mountain Center.

The New Bathrooms are OPEN!
Next door to the Idyllwild Gardens Nursery – Across the street from the Rustic Theatre.
Open Daily 9am – 5pm

Thank you to Shane & Ashley Stewart for donating the land for these bathrooms and to Stephanie Yost with ICC for her persistence with the County of Riverside to FINALLY get us public bathrooms. Thank you to the County of Riverside and Supervisor Manuel Perez for making this happen. It’s been a LONG time coming! Bathrooms will be locked at night.

Hotel Information
Upcoming Weekends
www.IdyLodging.com

All events, venues & programs run by
Idyllwild Community Center

Idyllwild TOWN HALL
25925 Cedar St

Chair Exercise Class
FREE
Town Hall

Monday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 12:30pm
Friday 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Friday
Yoga for Seniors
Town Hall
10:45 am – 11:45 am

Fit after 50
Free Exercise Class
Town Hall
Tuesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Wednesday 10:00am – 11:00am
Thursday 10:00am – 11:00am

Mondays
Tai Chi Class
Free!
Town Hall
10:30 am – 11:30 am

Every Other Thursday
Starts Jan. 22
Town Hall
25925 Cedar Street
5:30 – 6:30

FEEDING AMERICA
First Tuesday of each month.

The Visitor Center is now open between the public bathrooms and Idyllwild Gardens on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am – 4 pm.

If you would like to volunteer to talk to visitors, help them find their way and point them in the direction of “A Good Time” please contact me at hello@GoodMorningIdyllwild.com.