Costa Mesa Historical Society

Perhaps no one could have foreseen the amazing transformation of Costa Mesa from a sleepy rancho to today's bustling "City of the Arts." Along with other Orange County cities, Costa Mesa experienced explosive growth, redevelopment, county bankruptcy, traffic, and environmental issues. While navigating these events, Costa Mesa emerged with its own brand of Southern California cityhood. World War II brought the Santa Ana Army Air Base (SAAAB) to town, along with 125,000 cadets. Postwar SAAAB conversion established the Orange County Fairgrounds, colleges, and housing. After incorporation in 1953, the race was on to achieve critical mass while surrounded by older, established cities. The Segerstrom family led the way to world-class facilities, such as South Coast Plaza and the Orange County Performing Arts Center. These venues shifted the city center from the traditional downtown to north Costa Mesa. Located at the confluence of three freeways and adjacent to John Wayne-Orange County Airport, Costa Mesa faces the future as the center of the South Coast Metro complex.

Three emerging communities from the partitioned Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana formed the improbable start for a city that would eventually proclaim itself the "City of the Arts." These farming communities--Fairview, Paularino, and Harper--attracted families and businesspeople. Community leaders then took pragmatic steps to meet local needs such as schools, churches, and a water supply. Harper's first land developer appealed to folks of modest means by advertising, "You! Five Acres." By 1920, Harper needed a broader identity and a local businessman proposed a naming contest, offering a $25 prize. "Costa Mesa," recognizing the area's heritage and geography, reaped the reward. Eight years later, voters handily defeated the City of Santa Ana's annexation attempt by a margin of five to one. The Great Depression, the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, and the 1938 Santa Ana River flood then besieged the fledgling community. Undaunted, Costa Mesa continued to grow. By 1939, the stage had been set for the postwar miracle that would become the modern city of Costa Mesa.