History and Events Blog

Read more about the article Costa Mesa Fire Department’s 100 Year Birthday party was on fire!

Costa Mesa Fire Department’s 100 Year Birthday party was on fire!

The Costa Mesa Historical Society was proud to welcome Fred McDowell as our featured speaker on August 31, 2025. His engaging presentation highlighted the rich history of the Costa Mesa Fire Department and the people who built it into what it is today. “We were so fortunate to host Fred McDowell just weeks before his retirement from 30 years of service with the Costa Mesa Fire Department. His program brought our city’s fire history to life, and…

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Read more about the article Join Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!
Costa Mesa Bike Tour 2025 with Arlis Reynolds

Join Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!

Experience Costa Mesa’s stories on two wheels! The Costa Mesa Historical Society is excited to host the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Meet at the Costa Mesa Historical Museum at 1:30 p.m., ride begins at 2:00 p.m., and we’ll return to the museum by 4:00 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event that brings together community members of all ages to celebrate our city’s rich…

Continue ReadingJoin Us for the 3rd Annual Historical Costa Mesa Bike Tour with Council Member Arlis Reynolds!
Read more about the article We want to thank the following donors for their donations
Thank you for your donations to the Costa Mesa Historical Society

We want to thank the following donors for their donations

RANDOFF VIDAL ** ELIZABTH REFAKES ** ROBERT & MARI PALAZZOLA ** JOHN V. HUMPHREY* DAN & SHARON DEARING* BETSY J. CARLSON* CHERYL DONALSON * *under $100, **$100 or more, ***$500 or More, YOUR SUPPORT We do not receive funds from federal, state or local government, our only source of income is membership dues, gift shop sales and donations. We are always grateful for any donations. For monetary donations to Historical Society, please make out check or money…

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Read more about the article The Stories That Built Our City, Costa Mesa
Looking North on Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California

The Stories That Built Our City, Costa Mesa

By Rick Neisser Back in 1978, Costa Mesa was celebrating the 25th anniversary of its incorporation. To mark the occasion, the City Council compiled a list of 45 people who had helped build the city and asked Costa Mesa Historical Society archivist Mary Ellen Goddard to interview them. Some were born here when it was still called Harper. Others came during the Depression, the war years, or the postwar boom. A few ran businesses that became Costa…

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Read more about the article TEARING DOWN THE ORANGE CURTAIN: A musical, literary smashing good time!
"Tearing Down the Orange Curtain" - Orange County punk rock's worldwide influence

TEARING DOWN THE ORANGE CURTAIN: A musical, literary smashing good time!

Brought down the curtain July 20th at the Norma Hertzog Community Center Surprisingly, there were some empty seats for this performance. However, for those that were there, it was quite an enjoyable experience. Our Historical Society president, Mikelle Fish, made the following comment the next day : “What a great event yesterday! A special thank-you to Sean for coordinating with Nick, and to Estelle and Mary Ellen for their help with setup. Nate Jackson’s Tearing Down the…

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Read more about the article Come Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25
100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department - 8.31.25

Come Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25

Captain Fred McDowell of the Costa Mesa Fire Department celebrates their100 years “Birthday Party". This event is FREE. There will be light refreshments served. CMFD 100 Year Anniversary Party 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sun, Aug 31, 2025 Norma Hertzog Community Center CMHS 100 Year "Birthday Party" RSVP Link About our speaker, Costa Mesa Fire Captain Fred McDowell - Fred McDowell is originally from Santa Ana, CA. He began playing the trumpet at age seven and participated…

Continue ReadingCome Celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of the Costa Mesa Fire Department with Captain Fred McDowell – 8.31.25
Read more about the article Thank you ALL for making the Nate Jackson/Nick Adams performance such a Killer Event!

Thank you ALL for making the Nate Jackson/Nick Adams performance such a Killer Event!

What a great event on Sunday, July 20th, 2025! Nate Jackson’s Tearing Down the Orange Curtain was informative and revealing, and Nick Adams from MIA created a beautiful atmosphere with his acoustic set and photo presentation—what a talented artist. The event was well attended. Excitingly, we saw many new faces as well as our regulars. It was truly a wonderful afternoon and a great example of the kind of community engagement we are aiming to foster. Judging…

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Read more about the article The Use of Adobe Bricks in the Early Southwest
Picture showing the general process workers used to make the adobe bricks.

The Use of Adobe Bricks in the Early Southwest

Submitted by Mari Page Living in California most of us have seen structures of adobe built by the Spanish colonists and early settlers in some of our cities. Costa Mesa has one of these adobes, the Diego Sepulveda Adobe that is located in Estancia Park. Adobe did not originate with the Spanish settlers. It has long been used by man to build with. Archaeologist have found adobe mud blocks dating back to at least 8,000 BC in…

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Read more about the article Nate Jackson, co-author of “Tearing Down the Orange Curtain”, talks the worldwide influence of Orange County punk rock – 7.20.25

Nate Jackson, co-author of “Tearing Down the Orange Curtain”, talks the worldwide influence of Orange County punk rock – 7.20.25

Nate Jackson - co-author of "Tearing Down the Orange Curtain" Nate Jackson was born in Orange County and came up in the local punk scene, playing in bands and rumbling through the mosh pit in warehouses, DIY venues, and clubs across SoCal. He is currently the Deputy Editor of entertainment at the L.A. Times. He was previously the Music Editor for OC Weekly and also worked as a staff writer for the L.A. Times. His work has…

Continue ReadingNate Jackson, co-author of “Tearing Down the Orange Curtain”, talks the worldwide influence of Orange County punk rock – 7.20.25
Read more about the article Costa Mesa Historical Society & Museum’s Third Annual Spring Social Luncheon, Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Costa Mesa Historical Society & Museum’s Third Annual Spring Social Luncheon

Costa Mesa Historical Society & Museum’s Third Annual Spring Social Luncheon, Saturday, May 24th, 2025

Costa Mesa Historical Society & Museum’s Third Annual Spring Social Luncheon Saturday, May 24th, 2025 11:00 am – 1:00 pm Costa Mesa Women’s Club 610 W. 18th Street Costa Mesa Lunch Catered by My Greek Kitchen Salads: Greek, Super Chopped, Caesar Protein: Chicken Kabobs, Gyro Meat, Falafel, Keftedes (Meat balls), Spanakopita Pita bread, Tahini sauce, Hummus dip, Tzatziki dip TICKETS $25 EACH Click here to purchase tickets! OUR PROGRAM Celebrating Dates (not the kind that grows on…

Continue ReadingCosta Mesa Historical Society & Museum’s Third Annual Spring Social Luncheon, Saturday, May 24th, 2025