La Mesa, directly east of San Diego, was originally the part of the Mission San Diego de Alcala. In 1821, it was granted as a rancho to Santiago Arguello. Robert Allison bought 4,000 acres from Arguello in 1868. His ranch was known as Allison Springs. The area exploded in the 1880s when water and rail transportation became available. La Mesa is a major retail area serving East County. The city is currently undergoing a facelift to renovate old commercial areas and expand its business communities.