Pioneer Loop Eyes Division Plan

DESERT HOT SPRINGS – Plans to divide the more than 150-mile territory which the Pioneer Loop Assn, was formed to publicize into three divisions, each of which would hold its own monthly meetings, were discussed at a dinner meeting of the association held at Hayden’s Restaurant.

The tourism booster group has as its ultimate objective the modernizing and paving of a 25 mile stretch of mountain road from Baldwin Lake to Pioneertown.

Once this is accomplished tourists will be encouraged to drive the 150-mile scenic route from the San Bernardino Mountains through the high desert area, the San Gorgonio Pass, Redlands, Yucaipa into upper Coachella Valley.

Noting that no business could be transacted at the meeting since less than a quorum was present, Lila May Final, secretary of the association, said that a proposed plan for each of three divisions to hold its own monthly meetings might result in better attendance, promote membership in the association

in each locale and stimulate interest in local planning. Should the association adopt such a plan, she said arrangements would be made for the divisions to hold joint meetings periodically in order to coordinate their effort.

One difficulty recognized by the association, she said, was the distance involved in traveling to membership meetings which to date have been held from one end to the other of the 150-mile area.

In the absence of the association’s president, Howard Rees of Apple Valley, Don English, a member of the executive committee and vice president of the Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, presided.

Among the 17 persons attending were members of the association’s executive committee from Palm Wells, Banning, Pioneertown, Yucca Valley.

Local city officials at the meeting included Mayor Stone Wright Jr. and City Treasurer Alice Mako. The chamber of commerce was represented by its president, Ernie Blatz and its manager, Nick Nichols.