New Section…

It was suggested by a reader that I start a new section where readers can write in with a question, and I can answer it, if I can locate the answer, or ask the readership if they know. I thought it would be fun since, originally, before I started Good Morning Idyllwild, I had an idea for having a little booth in town called “Ask Chris” kind of like the old “Ask Jeeves” precursor to Google. Anyway, I thought I would give it a go. To submit a question, just press “Reply” to this newsletter, or email me at hello@goodmorningidyllwild.com

Here are the first 2 questions that our reader asked.

  1. What is the orange fencing along a section of Hwy 243 down near Mountain Center and what is it for?

According to Caltrans, “The fence is protecting environmentally sensitive areas during the current project construction. It is the way to preserve the plants, wildlife, and cultural areas from construction. So, the field crews will not touch the areas with orange red fences.”

2. What is the ultimate goal of the ongoing roadwork on 243 and 74 and how long will it take?

Again, according to Caltrans, “The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) begins the work on a $16.9 M pavement rehabilitation and shoulder widening project on State Route 243. Constructions signs have been placed in the project zone, as well as clearing in shoulder areas and placement of high visibility fencing for environmentally protected areas. Work operations will occur near Idyllwild, Pine Cove, and Fern Valley from the State Route 74 Junction near Mountain Center to Interstate 10 Junction near Banning. Project work is expected to be complete by winter 2026. 

First Ask Chris was posted Dec. 11-17, 2025

We only had one question our first week…

  1. What is the history of the building that houses Strawberry Creek Medical Clinic?

Built in 1947, this building has been for many years, a professional building that has housed several medical clinics (as it does today) but also a travel agency at on point in time. The building itself has not changed much overtime.

When it was built, Fern Valley was developing as a secondary retail area of idyllwild.At the intersection of Pine Crest Ave. and North Circle, 3 different retail shops occupied this building at once: Fern Valley Cleaners – The Mountain Shop (Dresses, Sports Apparell & Gifts) and Gay & Marty’s Hillbilly Variety Store. 

Dec. 18-24, 2025

I was asked this week about a memorial in front of Idyllwild School to a man named Dr. Marion Null. Below his name, the inscription says “Like a tree rooted on earth and reaching to heaven, he saved and extended all of life.”

After doing some research, I found that the Garden Club of Idyllwild erected this monument in 1968 to Dr. Null, the year before he died at age 98. He moved here with his wife in 1941 after a career as a missionary doctor in Asia. His wife died in 1947 and Dr. Null together with Ernie Maxwell started a local chapter of the Izaac Walton League (named after a famous sportsman’s & conservationist). Dr. Null was obsessed with planting Sequoia Trees, even though they were not native to our mountain. He planted the two that still stand in IDY Park; he planted many in front of the school that did not survive, and he was instrumental in getting the forest service to plant Sequoia Trees in various places here in the San Jacintos. There is a big grove of them near Black Mountain still today. In total, he was responsible for planting 12,000 Sequoia Trees. He was also an avid volunteer in the community and taught first aid classes, and served as President of the Chamber of Commerce for many years. The Garden Club erected this monument before his death to commemorate his contribution to the community for 28 years. Below is a photo of the sequoias he planted in front of the Idyllwild School. They are no longer there.