The Fairview Register
The Fairview Register is the monthly publication of the Costa Mesa Historical Society. Each newsletter contains news about the society, information about upcoming events, and articles about Costa Mesa history. It’s one of the best ways to stay up-to-date on Costa Mesa history.
Below you’ll find archives of the newsletter since 2012. If you’d like to receive a newsletter in your mailbox each month, consider joining the society.
Thank you for your donations to the Costa Mesa Historical Society
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…
Looking North on Newport Boulevard, Costa Mesa, California
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…
"Tearing Down the Orange Curtain" - Orange County punk rock's worldwide influence
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…
Picture showing the general process workers used to make the adobe bricks.
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…
Our January/February 2023 newsletter is now online! This edition includes "Orange Coast College's 75th Anniversary: Review of Academic Programs", "Newport Pop Festival" by Mari Page, and "Kona Lanes Memories" by Estelle Hughes. Fairview Register January/February 2023
Our November/December 2022 newsletter is now online! This edition includes "Movie Memories From the Past" by Mari Page, an excerpt from the January 1983 Costa Mesa Historical Society Quarterly, as well as information about our upcoming January event. Fairview Register November/December 2022
Our September/October 2022 newsletter is now online! This edition includes "Unsung Veterans" by Mari Page, "Changing times – City Directories and Telephone Books" by museum director Mary Ellen Goddard, and information about our upcoming November program. Fairview Register September/October 2022
Our July/August 2022 newsletter is now online! This edition includes "Painted Treasures" by Mari Page, the history of the Costa Mesa Bird and Game Farm, and a message from our president about her history in Costa Mesa. Fairview Register July/August 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 Town Called Fairview" from our last newsletter, and remembering Dave Gardner, Gladys Refakes, and Ursula Hartunian. Fairview Register March/April 2022
Our November/December 2021 newsletter is now online! Topics include "Mr. Siegel Remembers", "Memoirs of a War Bride", "Christmas Cards of Yesteryear," and more. Fairview Register November/December 2021