https://www.costamesahistory.org/about/ The Costa Mesa Historical Society is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1966. The society is not a city department.
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It is, rather, a 100% volunteer organization staffed by private citizens dedicated to fulfilling the society’s mission: preserving and promoting the history of Costa Mesa. The society accomplishes its mission through regular public events, community collaborations, and its collection at two museums. The collection comprises over 70,000 items, including 1,500 books, 30,000 photos, and 100 GB of new
spapers, as well as countless personal archives, maps, oral histories, digital media, textiles, and more. The society shares its collection with a broad audience through permanent and temporary exhibits. Exhibits are meant to engage and excite the public about the historical society’s collection by highlighting representative or unique objects on a particular topic. Exhibits don’t have to be in a museum. Metro Car Wash, for instance, displays some fifty pictures from the society’s collection. The society’s books, newsletter, and website are other “venues” for the collection. If you care about local history and want to share your love with others, consider becoming a member or volunteering. We'd love to have you.
10/02/2023
This little lamb rocker was purchased from the Denwar craft studio sale many years ago, when the sale was still at the Denwar studio. Do any of you know the maker? It is for sale as a fundraiser for the Costa Mesa Historical Society for $40 or best offer. 949-631-5918
09/29/2023
See you tomorrow!!
09/28/2023
It’s that time again. Keep your sensitive pets crated with the music or tv on high volume. If you have PTSD family members you may want out of town plans for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, if not, enjoy the air show!
The Pacific Airshow returns to Huntington Beach Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1.
Beginning Monday, September 25th, you can expect to hear these team as they do flyovers.
Beginning Friday, September 29, the full air show will take place from 9 AM to 5 PM, each day. Residents can expect Loud jet noise. Please make sure to make accommodations for anyone who may be disturbed, such as children and pets. We ask that you do not call 911, unless you have a life threatening emergency.
We also want to remind everyone that drones are not permitted in the airshow area.
If you have a question or concern relating to the Pacific Airshow, please call (714) 536-5985.
09/26/2023
Looking forward to seeing you.
09/20/2023
Don’t forget our Saturday, Sept. 30 sale! Here is a small sampling of our items. Looking forward to seeing you!
09/14/2023
Congratulations to Chris Jepsen who, through years of research, uncovered the most amazing story.
A local historian has researched the dots he says connects a bid to buy the old ranch area with the Chicago bootlegger.
09/05/2023
Save the date!
09/02/2023
The Diego Sepulveda Adobe is open today from 12-4pm as well as the free train rides for the kids at Estancia Park. The West side is the place to be today!
31 Days of : One of the oldest standing buildings in Orange County, the Diego Sepulveda Adobe built around 1820, encompasses nearly 200 years of Costa Mesa history in Estancia Park, overlooking the Santa Ana River bed. More details at https://bit.ly/441YGRo
If you have trade items, give us a call. This new event will be lots of fun.
08/13/2023
Mark your calendars!
08/10/2023
Before we had Costa Mesa options for High School, many made the trek over to Newport Harbor. Perhaps you may be able to help NHHS with a history mystery regarding their school song written by Betty Dodge? Thank you for your help!
08/10/2023
We are proud of our adobe!
31 Days of : One of the oldest standing buildings in Orange County, the Diego Sepulveda Adobe built around 1820, encompasses nearly 200 years of Costa Mesa history in Estancia Park, overlooking the Santa Ana River bed. More details at https://bit.ly/441YGRo
08/05/2023
Hurry on over. We're here til 4.
08/04/2023
TGIF, it’s almost time for the Diego Sepulveda’s 200th year celebration!
Looking forward to this special event!
08/04/2023
Here is some vintage footage of Costa Mesa’s 10th anniversary celebration in 1963 and some OCC football. Costa Mesa is now on its 70th year. Enjoy!
08/03/2023
Tuesday the Historical Society opened up the adobe doors to 75 or so Camp Costa Mesa kids who hadn’t been in before. The kids were very nice and asked intelligent questions and all enjoyed popsicles afterward.
Flashback to Costa Mesa’s 10th anniversary in 1963. We are celebrating our 70th now!
06/24/2023
Learn how NOT be a victim with our next guest speaker, Jeanette Martinez, of the Costa Mesa Police Department. Crime is always changing and our protective measures have to change as well. Learn with us on Saturday, July 8th at 2pm.
At the Norma Hertzog community center.
06/20/2023
Our CMHS booth volunteers, Estelle and Marie. Don’t forget to stop by and say hello- the fish fry starts Friday!
06/07/2023
Visit Heroes Hall and reflect on D-Day
06/07/2023
The CMHS is happy to be a part of the 76th annual Fish Fry! Stop by our booth and say hello!
06/04/2023
Check out this video on YouTube. Our May event was quite a success.
05/25/2023
Coming up this weekend - free concert by Pacific Symphony. May 27 at 1pm. Bring chair and blanket
05/23/2023
Our updated logo.
05/08/2023
Thank you to all who helped decorate the tables, serve food, provide historical material and especially thank you to those who attended our first ever Spring Luncheon. It was a great turn out and it was wonderful to be in the company of people who appreciate our efforts to preserve Costa Mesa's rich history.
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Videos
here's part of what you missed if you didn't come to our march 15 program about Dennis Holland, his son and grandson riding off the Holland's 1909 Buick!
Costa Mesa has a diverse history. It is the site of one of the most important native villages south of Ventura, the home to second oldest building in Orange County, and the site of a huge army training center in World War II. It was even an important part of the SoCal punk scene.
The Costa Mesa Historical Society is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 1966. The society is not a city department. It is, rather, a 100% volunteer organization staffed by private citizens dedicated to fulfilling the society’s mission: preserving and promoting the history of Costa Mesa.
The society accomplishes its mission through regular public events, community collaborations, and its collection at two museums. The collection comprises over 70,000 items, including 1,500 books, 30,000 photos, and 100 GB of newspapers, as well as countless personal archives, maps, oral histories, digital media, textiles, and more.
The society shares its collection with a broad audience through permanent and temporary exhibits. Exhibits are meant to engage and excite the public about the historical society’s collection by highlighting representative or unique objects on a particular topic. Exhibits don’t have to be in a museum. Metro Car Wash, for instance, displays some fifty pictures from the society’s collection. The society’s books, newsletter, and website are other “venues” for the collection.
If you care about local history and want to share your love with others, consider volunteering or becoming a member today. We'd love to have you.
Don't forget to write this on your calendar and show up on Saturday, October 1st, 2022 at the beautiful Estancia Park. Consider packing a picnic and enjoying the afternoon as well as touring the Diego Sepulveda Adobe.
Considering that Costa Mesa had many board shapers in town and a booming fiberglass industry, some of you may have been part of the "Wedge" culture. Here is a chance to see a movie, slide show, enjoy dinner and meet some talented people involved in the making of the movie. The event takes place at the Balboa Pavilion on Thursday, September 29th at 6pm. and benefits our neighboring historical society in Newport Beach. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-culture-of-newport-beachs-wedge-tickets-415071819987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Just one of the many “Tupperware” boats built in Costa Mesa, CA. The fiberglass Islander 21 circa 1965 at only $3,000. Wayfarer was originally located at 1682 Placentia, CM.
If you were unable to attend the show today or would like to see more of them, the newly renovated OCC planetarium will be open Saturdays beginning Sept. 3. We thank all of you who attended today’s show in support of the Costa Mesa Historical Society. Check out the OCC website for additional shows and events.
Do you remember either of these two Northern CM farmhouses? Post content and photos by John Hurd.
The top photo is John Shiffer's farm house that was located between Baker Street and Paularino Avenue. (Before Bear Street went through to Baker Street)Torn down in the early 1970s to make way for the 73 Freeway. I heard many stories told about kids that played on his property and got shot at with rock salt. Directly in front of his property was an amazing pepper tree that we used to climb. It had little wooden steps nailed in to make the climb easier.
The other Shiffer property was owned by Jacob "Jake" Shiffer. This was the farm house located just north of Bear Street Elementary. I can still remember Mr. Shiffer tilling the farm in the late 1960s. We lived on Platte Drive at the time so I was always peeking over my fence to see all the changes over the years.
The third photo is of the Monroe farm that was located on Baker Street. Christy Monroe attended Bear Street School in the late 1960s. Thanks to Thomas Dietrich for the back story on the Monroe farm. We lost that structure in the early 1970s too. I used just love the wind mill and the wooden water tower. Reminded me of the show Petticoat Junction.
Our local Costa Mesa business spotlight for the month of June is El Matador.
Enjoy this YouTube video about the history of this iconic Mexican restaurant that has been located on Newport Blvd. for many years. Did you ever wonder what was in that building before El Matador?
The CMHS will have a booth at the Fish Fry! Come by and say hello. June 3-5. The location has changed back to its original location. Details at www.CostaMesaLionsClub.com
1963 Lions Club Fish Fry parade. Costa Mesa Women's Club entry won first prize in its category. Two of the people pictured here are Goldie TeWinkle and Laura Hruza. The Women's Club and the Lions Club are still working together to this very day on this community event. Save the Dates June 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The Fish Fry & Carnival is coming back to Lions Park!! Bands, Booths, Games, Rides, Beer Garden, Drawings, and of course Fish Dinners!! Photo and words from Gretchen Fry.
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