Costa Mesa Historical
Throwback Thursday: Markers and memories of 
Newport Boulevard
Published: Oct. 22, 2014 Updated: Nov. 12, 2014
Walking down Newport Boulevard today doesn’t exactly evoke memories of a bygone era of Costa Mesa history, particularly as you pass strip malls, restaurants and bars. But within one block in what is known as Costa Mesa’s Old Town, there are 21 historical markers pointing out the former locations of prominent buildings and businesses.
Before Costa Mesa was officially named, three small communities dotted the landscape for decades. These days, Fairview, Paularino and Harper are only street names to many, but they also were the city’s building blocks. Harper was the commercial center of the area, much of which was centered around Newport Boulevard.
Newport Boulevard, 1920s.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The city wouldn’t be given the Spanish name Costa Mesa – which means coastal tableland – until 1920, when a former schoolteacher from New Hampshire named Alice Plumer won a nationwide naming contest. Residents, as it turned out, didn’t want to stick with Harper. And with a nearby town called Harperville, potential freight mix-ups also may have played a role. Entries for the contest came in from as far away as Florida, but Plumer had picked a winner and netted herself a $25 prize. A city street also was named for her.
Many of the buildings for which markers have been placed were in operation during the 1920s and 1930s, and include the full gamut of commerce: shoe shops, taverns, hardware stores and grocers.
1800 Newport Blvd. - Ozment General Store and Post Office, - 1908-1917
The Ozment General Store and Post Office was open until 1917 when the building was destroyed by fire.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Opened in 1908 by Walter Ozment, a transplant from Greensboro, N.C., the Ozment General Store and Post Office was the first commercial building in town, which was then called Harper. Ozment paid $50 for the 1-acre lot, and the two-story board-and-batten building also had living quarters upstairs. Patrons to the store could buy groceries, feed, yardage and kerosene.
In 1909, Ozment became Harper’s first postmaster, with his wife, Velma, as his assistant. The store burned in 1917, but was rebuilt the same year. Charles TeWinkle bought the store in 1920 and sold it to W.D. Barnard. Barnard’s Pioneer Grocery and Meat Market opened on the site in 1922.
1802 Newport Blvd.- F.M. Blum Shoe Repairs, - 1923
If you were in need of footwear in Costa Mesa in 1923, a trip to F.M. Blum Shoe Repairs was a necessity; at that time, it was the only shoe store in town. In addition to selling men’s, women’s and children’s shoes, it also did repairs. In 1925, the store and its machinery were bought by J. Middaugh. He changed the name to the Costa Mesa Shoe Store and moved to 1840 Newport Blvd. in 1929.
1804 Newport Blvd. - Davis Barbershop and Soda Fountain, - 1921
The first barbershop in town was opened in 1921 by Grant Davis. Davis’ wife ran the soda fountain and did all the cooking. The business was sold to Jack Wright in 1923, who renamed it the Costa Mesa Confectionary and Lunch, where lunch sold for 50 cents.
Artist Frank H. Chapman bought the store in 1929, and his paintings – which were also for sale – adorned the walls of what was then called the Mesa Cafe. It was sold again in 1933 to Joe Sweeney, who owned a chain of coffeehouses and hotels.
1806 Newport Blvd. - Newport-Meyers Department Store, - 1924-1927
In 1924, proprietors Fred and Mary Meyers opened this store, which sold clothes and dry goods, with a clever marketing gimmick: A contest was held for customers to guess the couple’s combined weight and carried a prize of $10. During the Christmas season, the store carried a full line of toys and marketed itself as “THE toyland of the Harbor District.”
The Meyers moved to a larger location in 1927 and again in 1934, to 1816 Newport Blvd., where they remained in business until 1940.
1808 Newport Blvd. - Model Drug Store, - 1928-1937
Before O.P. Fawcett and J. Kearns opened this drug store in 1928, it served as the retail sales room and cider mill for the Costa Mesa Apple Grower’s Association. The store, which filled prescriptions and sold homemade candies, was sold to Samuel Crawford in 1937, who renamed it Crawford’s Drug.
1810 Newport Blvd. - The Costa Mesa Herald, - 1925-1936
As the first local newspaper, a two-year subscription to the Herald in 1929 cost $3. In 1933, the newspaper traded a year’s subscription for any marketable product to make certain customers would still receive it.
The Herald underwent several name changes: In 1936, it was renamed the Globe-Herald, and the office moved to 109 Broadway. The name again was changed in 1959 to the Pilot, and to the Orange Coast Daily Pilot in 1961.
1812 Newport Blvd. - Post Office, - 1925
W.W. Middleton was named the postmaster in 1925, and the post office was moved from the corner of the TeWinkle Hardware Store to its own building. The building, which was not locked, allowed customers to access their post office boxes any time, but the stamp window was open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About 104 boxes were added to the post office by 1929. In 1932, Middleton began offering a postal savings system to make up for the lack of banking facilities in town. If you were older than 10, you could deposit at least $1, and married women were allowed to deposit in their name. The accounts paid 2 percent annually.
1814 Newport Blvd. - Wayside Market, - 1920-1925
The Wayside Market opened in 1920 and was just the second store in Costa Mesa.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
When the Wayside Market opened in 1920, it was the second store in Costa Mesa. Owned by fruit and vegetable growers, the market sold produce, flowers and had tables inside where ice cream and soft drinks were served. Before a meat market opened inside in 1921, residents were forced to travel all the way to Santa Ana to buy meat. Electricity arrived in the area the same year, allowing the market to remain open at night. The market became part of the Alpha Beta chain in 1925 as a produce stand just inside the larger store. In 1927, two stores, Lewis Market and Flinn’s Variety, moved onto the location. Food Basket took over in 1935.
1816 Newport Blvd. - Bank of Balboa: Costa Mesa Branch, - 1923-1932
In 1923, the Costa Mesa branch of the Bank of Balboa opened at 1816 Newport Blvd. Its first day of business brought with it 300 depositors.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Originally opened in a temporary location in 1922, the bank moved in 1923, and on its first day of business had 300 depositors. The first received a gold pencil and the others were given silver.
The branch would close its doors in 1932 during the throes of the Great Depression.
“We had excessive withdrawals Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week,” bank President Dr. F.C. Ferry reported at the time. Costa Mesa did not have another bank until several years later.
The building also housed the city’s first library, on its second floor, which was open three days a week. Other businesses in the building would include dental offices, real estate and a law firm.
1818 Newport Blvd. - TeWinkle Hardware, - 1922-1945
Charles TeWinkle opened his hardware store in October 1922, which carried a full line of hardware and plumbing fixtures.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Anyone who knows Costa Mesa history knows who Charles TeWinkle was. But in addition to being the city’s first mayor at its incorporation in 1953, TeWinkle also was a successful businessman. He opened a store in 1922 that carried a full line of hardware and plumbing fixtures. TeWinkle served as postmaster, and the post office was housed inside the store from 1920 to 1925. The store was remodeled and enlarged in 1927, including the addition of a modern front, which featured a recessed entrance and display windows.
In 1932, TeWinkle made an arrangement with Southern Counties Gas Company, allowing its customers to pay their bills in his store.
1820 Newport Blvd. - Pink’s Drugs, - 1933-1979
Originally known as the Costa Mesa Pharmacy, Alvin Pinkley bought the store in 1933, and it was open until 1979.
FILE PHOTO
Originally known as Costa Mesa Pharmacy and owned by George Merrick, this business was bought by H.R. Fuller in 1930 and became known as Fuller Pharmacy. It was bought by Alvin Pinkley in 1933, who changed the name to Pink’s.
Pink’s marble-topped soda fountain is what it became famous for, but it was damaged in the 1933 earthquake. The popular store, candy counter, fountain and pharmacy was open for 46 years.
1822 Newport Blvd. - Alpha Beta store, -1924
The 13th store in the Alpha Beta grocery chain opened at 1822 Newport Blvd. on March 13, 1924.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
This store opened in 1924 and was the 13th in the Alpha Beta grocery chain. A meat market was added in 1925 and a bakery a year later. A four-year anniversary for the store was held in 1928 at the same time as manager Fred Siefert’s March 13 birthday. To celebrate, the store offered specials for 13 cents, a 13-for-a dozen promotion and a 13-layer cake.
The store added a refrigerated fruit and vegetable department in 1929. A coupon book system also was implemented the same year that would help customers between paydays. Customers also were given 15 to 30 days for payment of their accounts.
1824 Newport Blvd. - Costa Mesa Garage, - 1922-1937
The garage was the first of its kind in Costa Mesa. Owned by Fred Rehme, the garage sold Red Crown gasoline and featured a full-service repair shop. Lloyd and E.L. Hicks bought the business in 1926. It changed hands again in 1930 when Charles L. Perry bought it and changed the name to C.L. Perry’s Sales and Service Garage.
1826 Newport Blvd. - Mesa Tavern, - 1928
A diner owned by Jerry Teaney first opened at this location in 1928 and was successful. Its open rafters and brick fireplace were designed to look like a French tavern and it served lunch for 50 cents.
George J. Anderson and his wife took over in 1930, advertising chili and tamales as house specialties.
1828 Newport Blvd. - Braddy’s Barber Shoppe, - 1921
Braddy's Barber Shoppe operated at 1828 Newport Blvd. until 1932, when it moved.
COURTESY OF THE COSTA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
This barber shop, originally owned by Lloyd Braddy, was open until 8 p.m. and promised a modern and “most becoming” cut with a clean towel for every customer. The three-chair shop offered 75-cent haircuts, shaves and manicures. Children’s haircuts were 35 cents. Braddy slashed his prices during the Depression, charging 40 cents for adults and 25 cents for children. By 1933, all haircuts were 25 cents.
The shop, which was one of Costa Mesa’s longest-running businesses, moved to 1842 Newport Blvd. in 1932 and to 1871 Harbor Blvd. in 1950. Ed Swaim bought the shop after Braddy’s death.
1830 Newport Blvd. - Chapman Billiard Parlor, - 1928
The billiard parlor was first owned by Charles Watson, but was sold to James Tallman in 1928 and again to Frank Chapman in 1930. Chapman allowed women to play billiards in the parlor, a progressive move at the time. The lobby was furnished with easy chairs, library tables and magazines, giving people something to do while waiting for a table.
After the 1933 earthquake, the Santa Ana Register reported the following damage: “The entire front of the billiard parlor crashed to the ground.”
1836 Newport Blvd. - Pennant Bakery, - 1925
N.P. Peterson, who also owned a bakery in Newport Beach, opened this business, and it became known for its “Pennant Bread” and danish pastries. During Thanksgiving, Pennant offered up his large ovens to residents to roast turkeys. Mrs. William Rochester operated a confectionery inside the store, selling ice cream and candies.
1838 Newport Blvd. - Mesa Cleaners, - 1926
Operated by F.P. Miller, the business cleaned men’s suits and ladies’ clothes for 60 cents and also repaired clothing. When Jimmie and Bill Williams bought the business in 1930 and renamed it the Costa Mesa Cleaners, they added tailoring to services. Men’s suits sold for $37.95 and as an opening special, the first 50 customers could buy one suit and get the second free.
1840 Newport Blvd. - Middaugh Shoes, 1929
Owner J. Middaugh moved his shoe store to this location in 1929 and changed the name to Middaugh Shoes from the Costa Mesa Shoe Store. All types of shoes were sold in the store, and because his repairs were done so well, the store often was called the “shoe hospital.”
1848 Newport Blvd. - Safeway store, - 1929
When the store opened, it promised customers they would be pleased with fresh products and low prices. Bread sold for 5 cents per loaf and coffee for 49 cents per 1-pound can. Nearly all fruits and vegetables were locally grown.
The 1933 earthquake brought with it improvements to the store, including folding doors, which made it an open front market, and a larger vegetable stand. In 1934, it became the Pay n’ Takit store.
1848 Newport Blvd. - Broadway, 1928
Broadway originally was named Harper Street, but the name Broadway came about after residents submitted a petition to the county supervisors in 1928. The 50-foot-wide street was paved in concrete the same year and went from Newport Boulevard to Tustin Avenue.
Contact the writer: cearley@ocregister.com Twitter: @earleyOC From Orange County Register
Also check out this Costa Mesa Timeline at the Costa Mesa Historical Society. Please keep them in mind if you have some older photos you can donate or share copies of with them.