La Mesa Things to Do Tips by Yaqui

Heartland Youth for Decency Memorial Park

Located right next to the American Legion 282 (J.A Park Memorial building 1947) is a park dedicated to all Veterans who have served and who have sacrificed their lives.

Top Plaque (facing the parking lot):
We of Heartland Youth Of Decency
Dedicated This Monument To The Young Men
From Our Own Generation Have Given
Their Lives That We Might Be Free

Middle Plaque
Flay Day
June 14 1970

Top Plaque (Facing Building:)
No Greater Love for Man....
Three plaques with the names of those who have fallen.

Top Plaque (Facing Track)

O Lord Lest I Go My Complacent Way
Help Me To Remember That Somewhere Out There
A Man Died For Me Today
So Lone As There Be War, I Must Ask
And Answer, Am I Worth Dying For?

Address: 8118 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91942 & Spring St

Directions: This is at the corner of University Blvd and Spring Street, alongside the San Diego Trolley tracks.

Phone: (619) 469-6064

Website: http://www.lamesapost282.org/

Rev. Henry A. McKinney House 1899

Home to the La Mesa Historical Society since 1977, the McKinney House serves as a good example of semi-rural, middle-class life in La Mesa at the turn of the twentieth century. The McKinney family moved to this area, then known as Allison Springs, in 1899. Reverend McKinney served as one of the first ministers of the La Mesa Methodist Episcopal Church and was an early businessman, lemon rancher, town librarian and school trustee. His wife Florence McKinney was noted for her work in the church.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 8369 University Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942

Old Post Office 1939

The Old Post Office Building at the southwest corner of La Mesa Boulevard and 4th Street was constructed in 1939. It was designed by noted local architect Frank L. Hope, Sr. in the Art Moderne style and is the first commercial building to achieve local landmark status in La Mesa. The contractor, Weston Hicks, and property owner, George Sheldon, were early civic leaders. The windows and corner entry are the most notable features; glass blocks surround the front door and the metal-framed windows are tall and narrow.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 8393-95 La Mesa Boulevard,La Mesa, CA 91942

James C.and Ellen Robertson House 1920

The same family who owned the adjacent landmark property at 4572 Palm Avenue built this modest bungalow in 1909. Brothers Harry and John Robertson were in the construction business and built many of the homes in the area, including this one for their father, who ran the local shoe repair shop. In the 1920s, the house was home to Algot Swanson, owner of the Hardy Meat Market. Mr. Swanson served on the City’s Board of Trustees for two years and was an advocate for local park, sewer and water services.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 4580 Palm Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942

Robertson House 1910

The two-story Robertson House was built in 1910 and remains largely unchanged from its original appearance. A number of craftsman-style features are evident, including a front porch, shed dormer and exposed rafter tails. Notable owners include Sarah Pinkston, who survived a devastating Civil War raid in Kansas, served as a delegate to the National Convention of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, and wrote articles for county and state papers in Kansas.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 4572 Palm Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942

Harry & Vada Robertson House 1909

The residence at 4582 Palm Avenue appears in a 1909 birds-eye view of La Mesa and on a postcard dated July 19, 1910. It was originally a small, square building with a hipped roof and a small gable dormer over the front door. A front porch was added in 1911. Harry and Vada Robertson built the house and were the first occupants. Harry Robertson’s parents, James C. and Ellen Robertson, lived next door at 4580 Palm Avenue. Brothers Harry and John Robertson were in the construction business and built a number of homes in the area. Ezekiel and Olette Hanson were the second owners of the residence (1917-1934). Between 1935 and 1936, the house was occupied with borders. Subsequent owners include long-time occupants Benjamin and Mattie Bulen (1941-1955) and Francis and Cassie Hinton (1958-1980).

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 4582 Palm Avenue La Mesa, CA 91942

Helen & Bill Givens Memorial

Located at the Southeast corner of Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard in the La Mesa Village, this memorial was dedicated in 2004 to Helen & Bill Givens in honor of their numerous contributions to the City.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

La Mesa Walkway of the Stars

The “Walkway of the Stars” is a pedestrian walkway that has been transformed into an urban park in downtown La Mesa. The vision for a place to recognize La Mesa's extraordinary volunteers was provided by Councilmember Ruth Sterling. The park’s theme honors the City’s outstanding volunteers who have provided 10,000 or more hours of service to the City of La Mesa. “Walkway of the Stars” is located between the Allison Avenue municipal parking lot and La Mesa Boulevard. The walkway was renamed “Walkway of the Stars” in 2003 and features decorative stone stars with the names of volunteers who have achieved this high standard:

The first honoree was volunteer extraordinaire - Alice Larson. Alice’s bronze star graces the entrance to the walkway. When her star was dedicated on a June 2003 morning, Alice had contributed over 13,000 hours of volunteer service to the City. Her spirit of “giving back” to her community signifies what this walkway is about. In fact, Alice is still giving to the City by working at City Council meetings.

The 2nd ceremony in July 2006 honored two volunteers who worked in the Police Department. One was Anthony D. Guggenheimer who volunteered over 10,000 hours in the RSVP program. The second star was for Timothy S. Tarbuk for over 12,500 hours in the Police Reserve Program.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

La Mesa Walk of Fame

If you happen to be strolling downtown make sure to look down at the sidewalk and you'll see some lovely plaques in honor of those who have contributed many hours of service to their community.

La Mesa Walk of Fame Recipients:

Elmer Drew moved to La Mesa with his family in 1912. He started working as a young man in an automobile repair shop. He later acquired that shop and continued to expand his experience and customer base. The Ford Motor Company subsequently approached Elmer in 1934 to open a dealership. The Drew Ford dealership has become one of La Mesa’s oldest and most successful businesses. Elmer Drew was admitted to the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame on April 28, 1998.

At the age of six months, Dr. Ellen Ochoa and her family moved to La Mesa. Dr. Ochoa is a graduate of Grossmont High School and San Diego State University, where she was her graduating class Valedictorian. She then went on to Stanford University where she earned her Master and Doctorate degrees. Selected by NASA in 1990, Dr. Ochoa became the world's first Hispanic female astronaut in 1991 as a member of the STS-56 Space Shuttle “Endeavor.” Dr. Ellen Ochoa was added to the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame on April 28, 1998.

Sarah A. Couts was one of the key historic figures in the San Diego region. She dedicated 40 years to the service of others during her longtime residency in La Mesa. She was a founding force behind the construction of Grossmont Hospital and the La Mesa Youth Center at MacArthur Park. Sarah A. Couts was added to the City of La Mesa’s Walk of Fame on April 28, 1998.

Bill Walton graduated from Helix High School and was a three-time recipient of the N.C.A.A. player of the year award. He earned two championship N.B.A. titles and was inducted into the basketball hall of fame. He is also the recipient of two Emmy awards for his efforts in broadcasting and filmmaking. Bill Walton was added to the City of La Mesa’s Walk of Fame on September 9, 2003.

Ed and Sandra Burr founded EDCO Disposal Corporation in 1954 in La Mesa. EDCO has grown into the largest family-owned and -operated waste collection and recycling firm in the United States. Mrs. Burr represents EDCO’s numerous charitable interests and continues to contribute to the vitality of the San Diego region. Sandra Burr was added to the City of La Mesa’s Walk of Fame on September 9, 2003.

J.O. Orsborn resided in La Mesa his entire life and was a well-known member of the community. At the age of 15, in 1941, he began his career as a volunteer fireman with the La Mesa Fire Department. He was appointed Fire Chief in 1981. Chief Orsborn retired in 1990 after 46 years of service. He served with the California Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Training Officer’s Division, and Pioneer Hook & Ladder Museum in San Diego. J.O. also was active with San Diego Boy Scouts, serving in various capacities and was awarded the Silver Beaver Medal for his long service. J. O. Orsborn was added to the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame on May 22, 2007.

James Culbert was known worldwide in sprint car racing circles as a builder, seller and driver of sprint and super-modified cars. In the late 1940s, he founded Culbert Automotive Engineering (CAE) that evolved into an auto racing superstore. James was also the record holder for speed in sprint and modified roadsters, and in 1957 he was the first driver to exceed 200 mph in a sprint car. Shortly before his death in 2004, Mr. Culbert was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa. James Culbert was added to the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame on June 12, 2007.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Website: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/

La Mesa Depot 1894

The original portion of the Depot was built in 1894, 18 years prior to the incorporation of the City. The Depot enjoys special significance not only for its age, but also for its direct connection with the early citrus and avocado industry that gave the town its start. Local farmers brought their produce to the station (and to nearby packing warehouses) for shipment. Shipping and passenger services had waned by 1930, and this structure was relocated to Lakeside, where it temporarily housed a chicken coop and a worm farm. Local railroad enthusiasts, along with the City, helped reinstate the Depot alongside its track in 1981 where today it serves as the La Mesa Depot Museum.

La Mesa City Hall
8130 Allison Avenue
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-463-6611

Address: 4695 Nebo Drive La Mesa, CA 91942

Website: http://www.cityoflamesa.com/