Costa Mesa

History Of Costa Mesa, California
The history and development of Costa Mesa mirrors that of the county.At first no more than a way station
built by Spanish missionaries for cattle herders, the city developed, as others did from the ashes of a failed
land-development boom in the 1880’s. Later it was to become an agricultural center, known for both apples
and lima beans that in turn gave way to residential and commercial development.Today, the city is a focal
point in the county, with the Orange County Performing Arts Center, South Coast Repertory Theater and
the South Coast Plaza regional shopping mall and numerous nearby office buildings.The land under what
is now Costa Mesa has been known by several names over the years.The first two, Fairvew and Paularino,
were communities that came and pretty much vanished before the turn of this century, according to “A Slice
of Orange,” by Ed Miller.Modern Costa Mesa really began to form during the years before and after World
War I, when the area was known as Harper, according to Miller.Harper, springing up around what are now
Newport and Harbor boulevards, developed a solid commercial and agricultural base that allowed it to
continue until 1920, when, through a contest among its residents, it was renamed Costa Mesa (Spanish for
coastal hill).Costa Mesa got a post-Depression shot in the arm with World War II and the establishment of
the Santa Ana Air Base, a training center for Air Force personnel bound for the war’s Pacific theater, Miller
wrote.The 1,283-acre base was located at the center of today’s Costa Mesa. That land later became part
of Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa High School, and the Orange County Fairgrounds.Information
Provided by Orangecounty.net) Click for link