La Mesa's First Mayor

Dr. Charles Samson, a medical doctor, thought he should serve his fellow townspeople. So, on Feb. 16, 1912, when La Mesa became a city, Samson accepted the office of chairman of the first city council. At that time, the city council was called the board of trustees, In 1912, there were 700 residents, there were only six city employees, and the city's budget was a whopping $2,360. Samson was mayor from 1912 until 1914.