Last year, Preserve Orange County launched an interactive map featuring historic sites throughout the county. From their website: "What's on the map? The map includes all sites that are designated...
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Promoting and Preserving Costa Mesa History since 1966
Fish Fry Coloring Contest Winners
June 10, 2022
For the 75th Annual Fish Fry, the Costa Mesa Historical Society hosted a children's coloring contest to reach out and hopefully spark an interest in local history. We received over...
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Costa Mesa Small Business Appreciation Spotlight the Iconic ” El Matador ” – VIDEO
June 3, 2022
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...
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Peggy Gardner Display
May 27, 2022
We have a new display at the museum! Peggy Gardner was a long-time friend of the Historical Society and a wonderful artist. To highlight Peggy's talent and honor her...
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Echoes From the Fields
May 13, 2022
A one-hour video chronicling Costa Mesa's history from the time of the Native Americans to the emergence of South Coast Metro in the 1990s
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Fairview Register March/April 2022
May 13, 2022
Our March/April 2022 newsletter is now online! This edition includes a message from President Barbara Steck introducing our new Board of Directors. Also included, "Fairview Declines," a continuation of "A...
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April 29, 2022
As some of you may have already noticed, we're updating our online gift shop! There are still many more items to be uploaded, so be sure to keep checking back...
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Historic Eastside Costa Mesa Home Tour
February 25, 2022
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...
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New YouTube Series Highlights Costa Mesa History
February 18, 2022
The city of Costa Mesa's YouTube page has released a new web series "Costa Mesa Flashback" that highlights certain elements of our town's history. Published on Fridays in honor of...
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Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in WWII
February 11, 2022
From the OC Fair & Event Center: "On display Feb. 16 through Sept. 18, 2022 On Feb. 16, 2022, Heroes Hall Museum will open a new special exhibit called Fighting for...
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Learn about 5,000 years of history –from the first peoples to the City of the Arts – at our two museums in Costa Mesa.
Learn more about museumsExplore our vast collection of photographs, periodicals, maps, and more at the society’s museum and headquarters.
Explore historical resourcesDiscover the many ways you can do your part to preserve and promote Costa Mesa history.
Make your contributionLearn about a wide variety of historical topics at our free talks throughout the year.
Learn more about upcoming talksDid you know that nearly one-fifth of Costa Mesa’s land area was once an important training center for our nation’s effort during World War II?
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