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

 Giving Tuesday 2025
Posted: November 26, 2025

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

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View our 50th Anniversary Online Exhibit
Posted: November 23, 2025

Visit La Mesa History Center's Omeka site to view our online collections and exhibits.

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Annual Holiday Party - December 14
Posted: November 23, 2025

Join us at the McKinney House for our annual Holiday Party.

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The McKinney House and Research Archives will be closed to the public today, Saturday, November 29th. We look forward to seeing you next Saturday during our normal open hours of 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Thank you.

The McKinney House and Research Archives will be closed to the public today, Saturday, November 29th. We look forward to seeing you next Saturday during our normal open hours of 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Thank you.

La Mesa Thanksgiving A Century Ago Among local headlines of the new Congregational Church building, Country Club golf tournaments, the new Rotary Club's founding, and Mt Nebo water pipes of one hundred years ago is La Mesa Scout editor C.S. Smith's simple, but still poignant Thanksgiving thoughts as we continue on our own personal and collective community odysseys: "Thoughts for Thanksgiving" "Your bounty is beyond my speaking. But if my mouth seem dumb my heart shall thank you. In the list of things to be thankful for let Goodwill and Friendship come first and foremost." Here's our heartfelt thanks to all those who provide their goodwill and friendship to the La Mesa History Center and Greater La Mesa community. Have a Great Thanksgiving holiday!

La Mesa Thanksgiving A Century Ago
Among local headlines of the new Congregational Church building, Country Club golf tournaments, the new Rotary Club's founding, and Mt Nebo water pipes of one hundred years ago is La Mesa Scout editor C.S. Smith's simple, but still poignant Thanksgiving thoughts as we continue on our own personal and collective community odysseys:
"Thoughts for Thanksgiving"
"Your bounty is beyond my speaking. But if my mouth seem dumb my heart shall thank you. In the list of things to be thankful for let Goodwill and Friendship come first and foremost."

Here's our heartfelt thanks to all those who provide their goodwill and friendship to the La Mesa History Center and Greater La Mesa community.

Have a Great Thanksgiving holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. This is a 1955 shot of the Festival De Las Flores parade on the south side La Mesa Blvd. #lamesa #historyisfun #HappyThanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. This is a 1955 shot of the Festival De Las Flores parade on the south side La Mesa Blvd. #lamesa #historyisfun #HappyThanksgiving

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La Mesa History Center

There are many ways to explore and engage with La Mesa's history and the History Center.
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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.

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

Andrea Flint-Gogek, Realtor
La Mesa Lumber
Tracey Stotz Broker
La Mesa Village Association
Urbana Preservation Planning
Pete

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
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