Certainly you can read the name on the building but let's get more specific. Where is/was it and what do you know about it? #whereisitwednesday #historyiscool

The Ladies of La Mesa - Christina McKeith MacQuarie (July 6, 1859 - April 17, 1941)
Christina McKeith was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and following her marriage in 1887 to Lachland MacQuarie the couple immigrated to America. In 1902, the MacQuarie family moved to the La Mesa region. The couple had three daughters, Annie, Nora, and Alma.

In January of 1916, the greater La Mesa region was experiencing historic flooding. The La Mesa dam, an earthen structure that was showing signs of wear, was at risk of breaching. Christina MacQuarie leapt into action, opening the flood gates at the dam's base. Her quick thinking prevented the dam from failing. The earthen dam was replaced the following year and is currently submerged under Lake Murray.

Christina MacQuarie passed area in La Mesa on April 17, 1941.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Don't Miss the La Mesa History Center booth at the Rolando Street Fair, Sunday April 12. This annual community celebration features food and craft booths and live music. On Rolando Boulevard south of El Cajon Blvd.
Come learn about the history of the homes, businesses, and builders of the College Area Neighborhoods and environs (part of the Greater La Mesa archival coverage area of the LMHC), and help us celebrate the community of Rolando's Centennial Year (est. 1926).

HISTORY OF ROLANDO PRESENTATION - APRIL 21ST
To Learn More about Rolando and its century-long history join historian Jim Newland at his Tuesday April 21st presentation on Creating Rolando: A History of its Origins and Development (1926-2026).
6:30pm at the UDW Hall, 4855 Seminole Drive, Rolando (just south of El Cajon Blvd.).

In honor of Women's History Month we share with you this postcard from our collection. Where and WHO is this? #WhereIsItWednesday #WomensHistoryMonth

The Ladies of La Mesa - Mary Durham Garfield (January 23, 1881 - February 27, 1966)
Mary Durham was born in Rock Island, Illinois on January 23, 1881. She graduated from the Chicago Art Institute and in 1905 she married attorney Wade Garfield. In 1907 the couple moved to San Diego along with their eldest daughter, Ada.

The family, now including six children, moved to La Mesa on November 11, 1918. The Garfield's added one more son following their move. Mary was a fixture in the community life of La Mesa. She belonged to a group of artists known as the California Plein Air school and was a student of San Diego artist, Charles Fries. In addition to being a gifted painter, she was a poet who is credited with coining the phrase "Jewel of the Hills" in her poem "Lines to La Mesa". The poem was printed on postcards that were sold by the La Mesa Woman's Club to help pay off their clubhouse mortgage.

Mary Durham passed away February 27, 1966 at the age of 85.

This image is from a postcard in our archives...where is this? #WhereIsItWednesday #lamesaca

Another great image from our archives! Where is it and can you guess the year? #WhereIsItWednesday #lamesahistory

The Ladies of La Mesa - Sarah "Nan" Van Rensselaer Couts (August 28, 1889 - September 9, 1985)
Nan Couts was one of the most extraordinary woman you could ever hope to learn about and a true force for good within La Mesa and the surrounding communities.

Born in Richmond, Yorkshire, England in 1889, the Van Rensselaer family moved to Southern California when Nan was only 1 year old. She married her husband, John "J." Forster Couts, Jr., in 1915 and the couple moved to La Mesa in 1927. The couple had three children - Susan, Nanette, and Richard. She lived in La Mesa for 38 years until she moved to El Cajon following her husband's death. She died in El Cajon on September 9, 1985.

The list of Nan's service is long and the following paragraph highlights just some of her activities and accomplishments. During WWI she was a volunteer with the American Red Cross and during WWII she served as Director of Home Service for the organization. During the Depression, she spearheaded welfare relief activities that led to the formation of the La Mesa Thrift Store. She served on numerous La Mesa Committees including the Police Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission. She was a founder of the Grossmont Hospital Auxiliary and served as the group's first president. Her work to provide a recreational home for the girls of La Mesa led to the building of Nan Couts Cottage in 1956 which is named in her honor and the City of La Mesa celebrated "Nan Couts Day" on October 5, 1969.

The La Mesa History Center is grateful to hold an oral history interview with Nan, as well as digitized copies of the La Mesa Community Welfare Association's early ledger books and a small collection related to the Nan Couts Cottage. Stop by Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm to learn more!

Where is this and what do you know about it? #WhereIsItWednesday #LaMesaCA