La Mesa History Center

La Mesa History Center Welcome to the La Mesa History Center!

From its agricultural origins in the late 1800s, its community beginnings and short period as a silent-movie mecca in the early 1900s, to the rapid growth in the 1960s, La Mesa has a rich and colorful past.

It's that time of the year and school is back in session. This image has ties to our McKinney House Museum. Can you gue...
09/02/2026

It's that time of the year and school is back in session. This image has ties to our McKinney House Museum. Can you guess where and when this was taken? Extra credit if you can guess the tie to our museum.

In honor of National Dog Day we are mixing it up this week. What do you know about this charming La Mesa canine? 🕵🏻‍♀️...
08/26/2026

In honor of National Dog Day we are mixing it up this week. What do you know about this charming La Mesa canine? 🕵🏻‍♀️❓

Certainly some of you remember when this was being built. Where and when was this taken? Any memories you want to shar...
08/19/2026

Certainly some of you remember when this was being built. Where and when was this taken? Any memories you want to share?

See you tonight for our last free history talk of the summer. This one is on Historic Preservation. 7 pm at Bougie's Ch...
08/13/2026

See you tonight for our last free history talk of the summer. This one is on Historic Preservation. 7 pm at Bougie's Cheese Shop, 4679 Date Ave, La Mesa. Wine and cheese available for purchase.

Sometimes you have to share an archival image even when you don't know all the details. Where and when was this taken? ...
08/12/2026

Sometimes you have to share an archival image even when you don't know all the details. Where and when was this taken? Any guess what they are doing?

Don't Miss the Final La Mesa History Center Hot Summer History Night on Thursday August 13th at 7pm at Bougie's Cheese S...
08/07/2026

Don't Miss the Final La Mesa History Center Hot Summer History Night on Thursday August 13th at 7pm at Bougie's Cheese Shop 4679 Date Ave, La Mesa.
Historian/Historic Preservation professional Jim Newland will be presenting on "Historic Preservation in Greater La Mesa: Myths, Realities and Benefits."
Come learn about the origins of historic preservation here in La Mesa, how properties qualify and get listed as historical landmarks, and what are some of myths and realities of historic preservation.
And enjoy gourmet wine and cheese in a lovely garden setting.

As we gear up for our 20th Annual Home Tour to be held on November 7 we wanted to share this stately home scanned in fro...
08/05/2026

As we gear up for our 20th Annual Home Tour to be held on November 7 we wanted to share this stately home scanned in from a negative in our collection. Where is this and can you guess the year?

Summer is here and these folks were ready. Any guesses where and when this is?
07/29/2026

Summer is here and these folks were ready. Any guesses where and when this is?

Another gem from our collection. Where was this taken and can you guess the year?
07/23/2026

Another gem from our collection. Where was this taken and can you guess the year?

A few $25 tickets are left for silent movie night tonight at 6:30 pm. Lamesahistory.com
07/19/2026

A few $25 tickets are left for silent movie night tonight at 6:30 pm. Lamesahistory.com

Address

8369 University Avenue
La Mesa, CA
91942

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16194660197

Website

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