Visit McKinney House Museum and Archives

Stop by the McKinney House any Saturday between 1 pm - 4 pm to see the new military exhibit featuring pieces from La Mesa WWI and WWII veterans Donald McKinney, Lester Olmstead, William Beamish Jr., and Reuben Levy.

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Business and Commerce

Today's downtown Village is the historic core of long-standing businesses. Re-discover our commercial heritage.

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Civic
Celebrations

From parades to Easter Sunrise services, La Mesa has a great tradition of community-wide events and celebrations. Re-live the memories.

Historic Photos La Mesa

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People and Families

Artist poet Mary Garfield, with family c. 1925, penned city's motto "Jewel of the Hills. Learn more about noted La Mesa families and residents.

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Neighborhood Histories

La Mesa's neighborhoods and surrounding communities, from century-old tracts to Post-War suburbs, has a story to tell. Come learn about them.

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Pioneering Heritage

Ground-breaking Flying A motion picture company made La Mesa its home from August 1911 to June 1912. Find out about other "surprising" La Mesa stories.

Welcome to the La Mesa Historical Society!

Where the past meets the present

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

Working out of the Rev. Henry A. McKinney House Museum and Society Archives, a 1908-built historical landmark, the La Mesa Historical Society 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 or the Archives Saturdays from 1 pm - 4 pm (except holidays) and see what the Society is all about.

Donations & Memberships

Please visit the Memberships page to for details about LMHS memberships and included perks.

Additional donations are welcomed and very appreciated. Donations help fund our events and La Mesa history preservation efforts. Currently we are seeking a donation of $500 to allow the Society to have 1000 archival images scanned into our collection. Call us for more information or make a gift now. We thank you for your support!

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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