In
1878, Mormon
farmers known
as the Mesa
Pioneers established
a townsite
on a flat-topped
bluff about
three miles
north of the
Salt River.
In 1881, the
U.S. post
office rejected
the town's
original name,
Mesaville,
since it was
claimed by
another town
in Pinal County.
So, the community
called itself
Hayden, and
later changed
it to Zenos.
When the Mesaville
post office
closed in
1888, the
farmers renamed
their town
again to Mesa,
the Spanish
word for "table."
As the town
grew, city
planners laid
out the community
with an eye
toward the
future. By
the time automobiles
arrived on
the scene,
Mesa was the
only town
to have streets
wide enough
for modern-day
traffic.
During
the Valley's
explosive
growth between
1983 and
1987, Mesa
established
itself as
one of the
fastest
growing
cities in
America
and expects
to have
a population
of 500,000
by century's
end. Agriculture
has been
replaced
by high-tech
industries.
Today, Mesa's
Spanish
colonnade
sidewalks
and palm
tree lined
streets
give it
a quaint,
relaxed
ambiance.
The Valley's
second-largest
city is
also host
to the Chicago
Cubs for
Spring Training
each year.
Arizona
Temple
and Visitor
Center.
Built
in 1927,
this striking
structure
remains
Mesa's
most noted
landmark.
(480)
964-7164.
Champlin
Fighter
Aircraft
Museum.
Fighter
aircraft
from World
Wars I
and II,
the Korean
War and
the Vietnam
War are
the subject
of displays
in this
popular
museum.
(480)
830-4540.
Mesa
Southwest
Museum.
A miniature
"Smithsonian"
museum
that effectively
captures
Mesa's
southwestern
folklore.
(480)
644-2230.
St. George Golf Guide: Contains essential info about the golf scene in St. George, including course and hotel info.
In
1878, Mormon
farmers known
as the Mesa
Pioneers established
a townsite
on a flat-topped
bluff about
three miles
north of the
Salt River.
In 1881, the
U.S. post
office rejected
the town's
original name,
Mesaville,
since it was
claimed by
another town
in Pinal County.
So, the community
called itself
Hayden, and
later changed
it to Zenos.
When the Mesaville
post office
closed in
1888, the
farmers renamed
their town
again to Mesa,
the Spanish
word for "table."
As the town
grew, city
planners laid
out the community
with an eye
toward the
future. By
the time automobiles
arrived on
the scene,
Mesa was the
only town
to have streets
wide enough
for modern-day
traffic.
