La Mesa, California

La Mesa, founded in 1869 and incorporated in 1912, is a city in East County - San Diego located about nine miles east of Downtown San Diego. The city of San Diego is to the west and north, Spring Valley and Lemon Grove are to the south, and EI Cajon is to the east. The neighborhood of Grossmont is within La Mesa. La Mesa was once a part of a larger tract, Mission San Diego de Alcala. It was also included in the Mexican Land grant made in 1845 known as Rancho EI Cajon. La Mesa is well known in San Diego County for sponsoring Oktoberfest every October which is attended by more than 200,000 people over the three night event. La Mesa is a member of the San Diego Association of Governments.

 

La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of its member businesses in La Mesa, EI Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley and East County - San Diego, offering many networking and advertising opportunities, business discounts and referrals, educational programs and numerous community events that provide many benefits for local businesses. The La Mesa Chamber directory and East County are invaluable resources for both business and community members. The Chamber has an excellent website which you are encouraged to visits. San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce. For over 100 years, the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce has been the respected voice of and advocate for improving business opportunities, public policy, and business relationships throughout San Diego County. Membership benefits include opportunities for networking, inclusion in the chamber directory, valuable workshops, inexpensive advertising opportunities, and more. Members are from San Diego, EI Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Spring Valley, Poway, Lemon Grove, Chula Vista, and the surrounding areas.

 

La Mesa History Center

The La Mesa History Center, incorporated in 1975, is a non-profit membership organization supported by donations, fund-raising events and membership dues. Its mission includes collecting, promoting, and educating on and about the history of La Mesa and the surrounding areas. The History Center provides an excellent website which includes information about the McKinney House Museum and Palermo Building Research Reading Room.

San Diego Association of Governments

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), established in 1980, is an association of local San Diego County governments that serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the county. Its board consists of one board member from each of the eighteen cities in San Diego County. SANDAG, along with the Southern California Association of Governments, are the only metropolitan planning agencies in Southern California. There are eighteen federally mandated Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) in California.

 

Short Historical Timeline of La Mesa

 

1900

• The population of La Mesa reaches 150, San Diego reaches 17,700, and the county reaches 35,578.
• The subdivision, Grossmont Colony is established.
• Residential development is commenced in La Mesa on a large scale.

 

1907

• La Mesa Lumber Company is established.
• The Bank of La Mesa is incorporated.
• The local Chamber of Commerce is formed.
• La Mesa is incorporated.
• The population of La Mesa reaches 700.

 

1920s

• The city population reaches 1,528, San Diego reaches 74,361, and the county population reaches 112,248.
• La Mesa Country Club, a 9-hole, golf course opens. It is later expanded to 18-holes in 1928. Today, it is a residential community. The name has been retained.
• The La Mesa Theater opens in 1923.

 

1930s

• The city population reaches 2,513, San Diego reaches 147,995, and the county population reaches 209,659.
• WPA projects include a post office in 1940 and a Senior Clubhouse in 1937.
• La Mesa celebrates 25 years.

 

1940s

• The city population reaches 3,925, San Diego reaches 203,341,and-the county population reaches 289,348.

 

1950s

• The population of La Mesa reaches 10,946, San Diego reaches 334,865, and the county reaches a population of 556,808.
• The Grossmont Hospital District, later changed to the Grossmont Healthcare District is established.

 

1960s

• The city population reaches 29,892. San Diego reaches 573, 224, and the county reaches a population of 1,033,011.
• The Grossmont Shopping center opens. It is the third regional mall in the United States.
• The San Diego Chargers, a professional American Football League team, begins training at La Mesa's Sunset Park.

 

1970s

• The population of La Mesa reaches 39,178, San Diego reaches 696,769, and the county reaches 1,357,854.
• The La Mesa Historical Society is formed.

 

1980s

• The city population reaches 50,388, San Diego reaches 875,538, and the county population reaches 1,861,846.
• Trolley service begins.

 

1990s
• The population of La Mesa reaches 52,931, San Diego reaches 1,110,549, and the county population reaches 2,498,016.

 

2000s
• The city population reaches 54,749, San Diego reaches 1,223,400, and the county population reaches 2,813,833.
• A new county library and post office are opened.
• A new police station opens.

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