Drawn between the past and present, The Mesa stands as a landmark. It whispers tales of battles and transformations. Today, we explore The Mesa and its historical echoes.
The Battle of La Mesa marked the end of armed resistance in California. It occurred on January 9, 1847. This battle was a significant event during the Mexican-American War.
Before us lies the plain where American forces under Commodore Robert F. Stockton and General Stephen Watts Kearny met José María Flores’ militia. The Americans marched across the plain between the San Gabriel River and the Los Angeles River, known as La Mesa. About four miles south of Los Angeles near present-day Vernon, they encountered the 300-strong force of Californio militia.
The battle unfolded with the ineffective guns of the Californios. The American guns responded powerfully. Stockton’s artillery drove the Californian artillery from range after fifteen minutes. The battle concluded with the Americans advancing into Los Angeles.
The Battle of La Mesa was the last military encounter of the war on the California front. General José María Flores returned to Mexico. Three days later the last significant group of residents surrendered to U.S. forces.
The Treaty of Cahuenga settled the conquest and annexation of Alta California. U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel John C. Frémont and Mexican General Andrés Pico signed it on January 13, 1847.
The site of the battle is now registered as California Historical Landmark #167. The marker stands at 4490 Exchange Avenue at Downey Road in Vernon. It reads that La Mesa Battlefield served as a campsite for the California forces. General Castro’s troops occupied it in the summer of 1846. This occurred during the United States’ occupation of California in the Mexican War.
Let’s shift our focus to another facet of The Mesa. The Angeles Mesa Land Company played a role in the area’s development. It was incorporated in 1904 with a capital stock of $100,000. The investors included George S. Safford Sr. president, Robert Wankowski, E.G. Howard, Frank R. Rule, and Fred W. Forrester. E.A. Forrester & Sons acted as the agent for the land company.
The company subdivided the 400-acre Joughlin Tract on Slauson Avenue. This comprised 2,000 lots. It was said to be the largest single tract ever placed on the market in Los Angeles. The company forbade billboards, ensuring a focus on residences.
Fast forward to 1916, and the community boasted ten stores. It also featured an apartment hotel and a motion picture theater. A torchlight parade celebrated the installation of street lights set on marbleite pillars. Rubie Henrionnet reigned as queen of the carnival.
The Mesa’s story includes its journey to becoming part of Los Angeles. Angeles Mesa voters favored annexation in an election held on April 6, 1917. Later, the Business Men’s Committee of Angeles Mesa campaigned for a large annexation into Los Angeles.
Transportation shaped The Mesa too. The “Inglewood branch of L.A. & Redondo Electric Railway” served the first subdivision. In 1910, plans were announced for a public park on each side of the Inglewood-Redondo car line.
Consider Angeles Mesa Elementary School which completed construction in 1917. A reporter in 1978 described the school’s architecture as one of the prettier schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
The Mesa Theater opened in 1926. It closed in 1963 and was later razed after a fire. The Angeles Mesa branch library built in the late 1920s still stands as a Spanish Colonial Revival design.
From battlefields to land companies, The Mesa encapsulates layers of history. Its evolution reflects the dynamic spirit of Los Angeles. As we conclude our exploration, remember that The Mesa is more than just a viewpoint. It’s a testament to the past. It is a vibrant part of the present. It is a marker of time.