Keeping up with history

Virginia E. Lopez

For those with a question about where Costa Mesa has been, and maybe

even where it’s going, one place has the answer: the Costa Mesa

Historical Society.

Formed in 1966 to support the Diego Sepulveda Adobe historical

landmark, the historical society began a lifelong commitment to

“promote and preserve” the history of Costa Mesa.

The adobe, also referred to as the Estancia, was officially

dedicated on Aug. 28, 1966, largely due to the dedication of the core

group who promoted this undertaking with local service groups and

interested community members.

Having received its charter just one month before the dedication,

the society began giving tours soon after the dedication and its own

history began to unfold.

Using the Estancia as the jumping off point for their group, the

historical society began harboring other activities as well. Members

pulled together historical photos, many of which are the only

evidence of the early history of Costa Mesa. To help increase

interest in local history they brought in speakers to pass on the

past to future generations.

Soon society members found that preserving history meant the need

for storage space beyond the use of private homes and garages.

In 1981, an answer came from the city of Costa Mesa. The city

agreed to lease a 4,000-square-foot building to the society, but

before they could move in, they had to move out, literally. In order

to obtain the building the society had to move it from its original

site on Adams Avenue to its planned home in the historic downtown

area located at the corner of Anaheim and Plumer streets.

With a place to call home, the historical society continued to

preserve local history and assist residents with their search of

history as well.

“People want to know the history of their houses,” said Archivist

Mary Ellen Goddard, and society members help them to find the

answers.

The society participates in annual events like the Fish Fry and

the Orange County Fair. Members publish a local quarterly to keep

residents informed of their history and sponsored three books written

by Edrick Miller that cover various aspects of area history.

As it heads into their 38th year, the society continues to provide

tours of the adobe.

It also long has been committed to the future of the community,

having establishing, in 1969, an annual scholarship fund awarded to

an Orange Coast College history student.

One area of recent focus are the people who were and are a part of

Costa Mesa.

“One of the kinds of things we’re trying to find [is the]

historical diversity [of Costa Mesa], including Hispanic, Japanese

and other ethnic groups,” Goddard said.

“We want to represent all of Costa Mesa history,” she said.

The Costa Mesa Historical Society Library and Museum is open from

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

* LOOKING BACK runs Sundays. Do you know of a person, place or

event that deserves a historical Look Back? Let us know. Contact us

by fax at (949) 646-4170; e-mail at [email protected]; or mail

her at c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.