County Farm Bureau, before passing to an Orange County Fair Board in 1925, when it was relocated to Anaheim. After World War II, the state formed the current association and purchased land then occupied by the Santa Ana Army Air Base for use as the fairgrounds, which became part of the City of Costa Mesa at the latter's incorporation in 1953. On March 18, 2009, this venue was also the host of a town hall meeting held by President Barack Obama on his visit to Southern California. He used this opportunity to address the economic crisis and to take questions from the audience. References External links OC Market Place Event venues established in 1949 Fairgrounds in California Sports venues in Costa Mesa, California Tourist attractions in Orange County, California 1949 establishments in California