El Matador restaurant opened its door 56 years ago. The building was constructed in 1923, and is one of the most historic commercial storefronts in the city. Our friend Renee Pina takes us on a tour of this iconic restaurant.
Last month, with the help of Renee Pina, we premiered our calendar highlighting historic homes in Eastside Costa Mesa. Costa Mesa Television had the opportunity to tour ones of these beautiful houses. Join them as they walk through 280 Magnolia, November's featured home, and learn about the unique history of this interesting property!
A new volunteer at the Costa Mesa Historical Society, Renee Pina, has spearheaded a new, full-color calendar of 12 vintage Eastside Costa Mesa homes. All homes featured were built, or believed to have been built, between 1900 and 1930, and have been loved and cared for by their present owners. The Society hopes to learn more of the history of each of these homes. 12 local businesses have helped to sponsor the pages in the calendar. They…
We look at the lost legacy of Mayor Willard T. Jordan's favorite architectural designs.
Costa Mesa’s first cocktail bar opened at 1824 Newport in August 1944. The bar, first called the Shamrock and later the Helm, survived nearly seven decades before closing in August 2011.
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…