La Mesa History Center

La Mesa History Center

Our mission is to promote, collect and educate on and about the history of Greater La Mesa area for the benefit of the community through the McKinney House Museum, Historical Archives and public programs.
Historical Archives

Latest News

Start The New Year With Walk To Top Of Mt. Helix!

"Go ahead and indulge all you want in the next two months, but then step out in healthy fashion Saturday, Jan 3, 2026! Join your friends and neighbors,10 am, at […]

Read More
Thanks for a wonderful Holiday Party!

This event dates back to the earliest days of the organization and is a great opportunity for the membership to gather, share stories, fill up on tasty treats and build community. Thanks to everyone who attended!

Read More
Giving Tuesday 2025

Help us finish our landscape renovation by donating to match the generous $7,500 gift from the Ripples 4 Ever Fund.

Read More
View More News

Instagram

Where, when, and what are these highly skilled ladies properly armed and waiting for?
In keeping with our citrus ranch history, we have lemons to share. Swing by the house museum and pick one up.
Grossmont Center and its history have certainly been in the news recently! Did you know that LMHC’s historian, Jim Newland, gave a talk for this institution’s 60th anniversary back in 2021? The recording of this event is available on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63nhIixY-1A.

Additionally, the LMHC is fortunate to hold a collection of publicity scrapbooks and photographs from the original owners. There are 8 scrapbooks and they cover pre-opening in 1961 to 1978. There are 1,000s of photographs in the collection as well. As a small, volunteer-only organization, it is taking time for us to fully process this collection, but work is underway to stabilize the photographs and make them more discoverable. Included in this post are some sample pages from the scrapbooks, including a map of the original layout and some photographs of the Macy’s sign being added to the building in June, 1996. 

The LMHC Research Room and the McKinney House Museum is open Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm.
More Social Media

Where the past meets the present

From its agricultural origins in the late 1800s, its community beginnings, and its short period as a silent-movie mecca in the early 1900s, La Mesa has a rich and colorful past. The La Mesa History Center is dedicated to preserving the community's heritage for future generations.

Rev. Henry A. McKinney House Museum and Society Archives

The La Mesa History Center is reaching out to the community through a number of avenues ranging from educational, historical roundtables and walking tours to hosting and participating in special events including our Annual Home Tour. Come investigate La Mesa’s history with us - we look forward to seeing you soon. Stop by the McKinney House a 1908-built historical landmark on Saturdays from 1 pm - 4 pm (except holidays) and see what LMHC is all about.

Come Learn With Us

From its 19th century origins of cattle and sheep grazing to its period as a silent-movie mecca in 1911-12, La Mesa has a rich and colorful past. Find out more about the history of your community, neighborhood or house at one of our quarterly History Roundtable presentations or at the Research Archives.

Subscribe to our mailing list

By signing up for the newsletter you will stay informed on upcoming events and important information about La Mesa History Center.
Newsletter Info

 

 
 
 

Showcase

The La Mesa History Center is dedicated to preserving the community's heritage for future generations.
Flag Day
LMHC Fall 2022 Newsletter Cover

2025 Home Tour Sponsors

More Popular Views

Lost History - Helix Theater 1954

Rediscover lost, but not forgotten, places and stories from La Mesa’s past such as this warmly remembered movie-theater–opened in 1948 near the corner of La Mesa Blvd and University Avenue.

Murray Manor Kindergartners 1954

From one-room Allison School (opened in 1895) to Grossmont (1920) and Helix (1951) High Schools, churches and other government agencies and civic organizations, La Mesa boasts a proud tradition. Re-live these shared institutions.

Bank of Southern California Building 1927

La Mesa’s architectural heritage features both commercial and residential structures such as this distinctive building located at Palm and La Mesa Blvd. Research historical buildings and houses at our archives
calendar-full linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram