February 18, 2018, 1-4 p.m. Join the Costa Mesa Historical Society February 18th for its second annual Bring a Friend event. This free event is being held at the Costa Mesa Historical building at 1870 Anaheim Avenue, Costa Mesa in Lions Park near the Donald Dungan Library. Last year’s offering was well-received and considered a great success. On sale will be rare local history books and other printed materials, framed historical pictures, vintage clothing, and dozens of…
The Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) recently commended the historical society for 50+ years of preserving and promoting local history. At their December 12, 2017 board meeting, the CMSD Directors presented a proclamation to historical society representatives Art and Mary Ellen Goddard. In part, the proclamation noted the society’s years of voluntary community service, our museums and research capabilities, and our partnership with the Sanitary District for wrapping the District’s utility boxes with historical images. Thank you,…
The Mesa Verde Library was designed by architects Schwager, Desatoff & Henderson, the firm responsible for the Costa Mesa Civic Center, the former Edwards Theater on Adams, and Fire Station #4 on Placentia. “Modern” was the most common way to describe the branch on opening day. Commentators praised the “lofted solar reading room,” the four patios, the dumb waiter, and, surprisingly, the fact it was carpeted. While some things have changed — the full-moon circulation desk has…
1950s. After a series of annexations and subdivisions, the north side of Costa Mesa grows rapidly. 1960. The city purchases a 1.35-acre lot on the corner of Mesa Verde Dr. and Baker from developer Walter Gayner for the express purpose of building a library. The location is chosen for its proximity to schools and 10,000 homes. The Friends of the Costa Mesa Libraries forms. Volunteer groups like the Friends and Mesa Verde Home Owners are vocal advocates…
As the bottom of our newsletter states: Promoting and preserving Costa Mesa history is our mission The whole purpose of preserving any history is to inform and educate future generations on things as they were at that point in time. This is accomplished through such things as photos, stories, records and materials. We welcome any one of those items to add to our collection to preserve. However, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand…
Please join us January 26 at 6 p.m. at our new location, Newport Rib Company for the society’s annual installation dinner. This year’s speaker is David Whiting, an award-winning Metro columnist from the OC Register. In his talk, ”Faith and Hope: Our American Land,” “we will travel across this great country and visit the towns where volunteering still matters. We will meet people who make a difference and we will do it on motorcycles with thousands of…
Brad Long passed away from complications of a blood disorder on Nov 26, 2017. It’s hard to imagine a more widely-known, outgoing city staff member than Brad Long. As the city’s senior videographer, you could find Brad at almost any city or community event, not only filming the event, but also, with his warmth and smile, serving as a City Hall ambassador. Brad always said his favorite project was Echoes From the Fields, a one-hour video (available on YouTube) chronicling…
As the bottom of our newsletter states: "Promoting and preserving Costa Mesa history is our mission" The whole purpose of preserving any history is to inform and educate future generations on things as they were at that point in time. This is accomplished through such things as photos, stories, records and materials. We welcome any one of those items to add to our collection to preserve. However, it is said that a picture is worth a thousand…
During a heatwave on August 5, 1917, two cousins, Robert Gisler’s daughter Elizabeth, 11, and Sam Gisler’s daughter Mabel, 10, went to the Santa Ana River with Elizabeth’s sister Lucile, 6, to play in the water. The two older girls were wading in the shallows of the channel, laughing and playing, when they suddenly lost their footing and stepped into a large hole. They struggled to find a foothold in the deep drop-off, while their cries for…
Gisler Avenue in the north side of Costa Mesa sees more traffic, perhaps, than any other street of its size in the city. The 1.7 mile road is lined with subdivisions, schools, a city park, and hugely popular restaurant chains like In N’ Out, Raising Cane’s, Denny’s, and Chik-Fil-A.