Idyllwild, California, is an extraordinary mountain village. On weekends and holidays, it hosts a flood of visitors. Many are drawn by its reputation as an arts community; more come simply to savor the serenity of the surrounding forested wilderness. Residents treasure Idyllwild's quiet isolation from the trappings of suburban life and its sense of familiarity and community, a throwback to small-town America early in the 20th century. Modern technologies keep Idyllwild in touch with society at large, but the village has avoided the industrialized recreation and tourism that has urbanized so many ski and lake resorts. Idyllwild's character stems historically from its striking recovery from the depths of the Great Depression and World War II.
Contemporary photographers John Drake and Rebecca Frazier lead a tour of the Idyllwild area's familiar places and events, while writer Robert B. Smith illuminates their significance with explanatory text and comparative historic images from the archive of the Idyllwild Area Historical Society, illustrating both continuity and change.