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Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona, after Phoenix and Tucson.
Mesa is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and currently ranks as the 38th-largest. When Mesa reaches build-out the city is expected to have a population of about 630,000.
Despite its large population, Mesa is decidedly a bedroom community. Neighborhoods consist of an array of diverse housing, including quite a few mobile home parks and Retirement Communities for Active Adults. As with many American cities, some areas are inflicted with urban blight. In contrast, expensive custom homes are found in parts of northeast Mesa.
Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Mormon (Latter-day Saint or LDS) pioneers and its population is still roughly one-tenth Mormon. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates one of its oldest temples in Mesa (the Mesa Arizona Temple), and the city is a hub for Latter-day Saints residing in the Phoenix Metro area.
HISTORY OF MESA ARIZONA
The history of Mesa dates back two thousand years to the Hohokam Indians. The Hohokam, whose name means the Departed Ones, built the original canal system that spread over 125 miles and is still used today.
Apache Indians, east of our area, drove the Spanish away in the 1700’s. U.S. Army troops fought the Apaches in the late 1800’s, opening the way for white settlement.
In 1877 Mormon Church officials asked Daniel Webster Jones to lead a group to settle in Arizona. Jones had already been on a mission to the Indians in the Valley; in 1875-76 he and others also had explored parts of Arizona and Mexico.
After shelters were built and crops prepared, the Mesa settlers built a school. Zulu Pomeroy taught the first classes there in 1879. Five years after the founding, in 1883, the 300 residents incorporated Mesa City and chose Alexander F. Macdonald as the first mayor. Early buildings included a pesthouse adobe structure to control smallpox, a city hall, and saloons. The Mesa Free Press newspaper began in 1892; it has run continuously since then under various names, currently The East Valley Tribune.
Falcon Field Airport and Williams Air Force Base were built in 1941 to provide training for World War II pilots. Air conditioning came into more common use and tourism also began as a major force in the late 1940’s. The decade of the 1950’s brought more commerce and industry to Mesa, including early aerospace companies. The 1960’s through 1990’s saw more high-technology companies, now over 100 firms. Health facilities grew especially during the 1980’s and 1990’s to service the larger population.
The mild winter climate, beautiful environment, and strong economic conditions attract more residents every year. From humble beginnings, Mesa has developed into the third largest city in Arizona and the 46th largest city in the United States. The Census Bureau now designates the Valley as the Phoenix-Mesa Metropolitan Statistical Area. Mesa’s pioneers might not recognize the present-day city, but surely would be proud of what they began.
SPORTS, ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
ARTS AND CULTURE- Mesa Southwest Museum, Arizona Museum for Youth, Mesa Arts Center (New $90 million facility), Mesa Amphitheatre, Mesa Symphony, Ballet Etudes, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Mesa Historical Museum, Xicanindio Artes, Sonoran Desert Chorale, Southwest Shakespeare Company, Mesa Youth Theatre, Mesa Contemporary Arts, and the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre.
SPORTS AND RECREATION- HoHoKam Stadium and Fitch Park (Chicago Cubs spring training facilities), Mesa Indoor Aquatic Center ($20 million facility), 13 public pools, two municipal golf courses, four recreation centers, Red Mountain Multigenerational Center, two tennis facilities and the recently completed Reed Park Skate Court. City of Mesa Parks and Recreation Division provides addition recreational activities.
The Phoenix-Mesa metropolitan area is one of only 11 cities in the nation to host teams in all four major professional sports – Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona Cardinals.
AREA SPORTS
• Phoenix Suns NBA Basketball
• Phoenix Firebirds Baseball
• LPGA Classic
• Chicago Cubs Spring Training
• Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball
• Auto Racing
• Cactus League Games
• Fiesta Bowl
• Horse/Dog Racing
• Phoenix Cardinals NFL Football
• Phoenix Open PGA Golf
• and Much More!
Contact us if you have any questions regarding the purchase of Mesa real estate or if you would like to schedule a convenient time to visit Mesa homes for sale.
Mesa Population: 460,155
Mesa to Phoenix: 19 miles
