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City of Mesa

Mesa Arizona Location

Mesa is located in the eastern most area of metropolitan Phoenix. A full 12 miles east of the center of Phoenix Mesa is directly west of Tempe is to its west.

Both Chandler and the town of Gilbert are to the south of Mesa and the mighty Salt River Indian Community is to the north, and the city of Apache Junction is to the northeast.

When you’re out this far from downtown freeway access is very important. And this was not lost on the city planners, who know the importance of tapping into multiple markets. So this city has numerous highway connections available everywhere to get everybody out there shopping.

The Superstition Freeway (or Interstate 60) runs the entire length of Mesa’s southern rim and The Red Mountain Freeway (or Loop 202) follows the northern most boundary of Mesa. Loop 101, Price Freeway, freeway is continuing to grow and expand southward through the Valley.

The Loop 101 separates of Mesa from Tempe. All of these freeways give residents several convenient ways to travel to other parts of the Valley of the Sun.

Mesa History

“Great People, Quality Service” is how Mesa wants people to think about it. And think about it they do! This simply stated Wal-Mart/Target-like motto honestly reflects the city’s character.

The area was popular with Native American and Mexican dwellers long before the arrival of the white man. That changed in 1878 when a group of white settlers from Utah called the Mesa Pioneers arrived in the area.

A city was hastily set up by stern Mormon settlers who decided to stake their paramount claim more than 120 years ago.

Like most things in Arizona, the authentic heritage is Mexican. The Mexican-American War of acquisition changed a lot of that- but the names of the places, and the look in that faces of the people, show the undeniable truth of the authentic past, present, and the future of this entire area.

The name Mesa means “tabletop” in Spanish. Mesa is located along the Salt River. People are still drawn to this area today. The city of Mesa is continuing to grow and develop as this area has become a fan favorite for unassuming whites and savvy Mexican settlers as well…

The Mormon community designed streets wide enough to allow for commercial drivers today. What foresight. Hallelujah! Their vision also included homes with gardens and orchards with only four homes to a block.

Falcon Field Airport and Williams Air Force Base were built for training during 1941 for World War II. Today Falcon Field and Williams Gateway Airport (formerly Williams Air Force Base) offer complete aviation facilities to industrial to commercial development.

First manufacturing, then tourism became the favored ways to exploit Mesa’s virginal beauty.

For years, Mesa has recognized the value of tourism and has worked on its hospitality, which makes visitors from the east flood here in wave after wave.

The wide range of attractions and outdoor activities make it a popular vacation spot.

Mesa boasts a strong economy with top manufacturers and diverse businesses from the service industry to medical. Mesa continues to grow from an agricultural community to a high-tech town.

Mesa Entertainment

Mesa is known for being a “hot spot”. People from all over the world come to this city to take part in its fantastic live life. The hometown feel that people come to the area for can also be seen in the city’s festivals.

The Mesa Pow-Wow is a big-time tribute to fortunate Native American performers who are allowed to share their invaluable contribution the local culture through dance and arts and crafts at those too-few select times. Festivals and celebration reveal give a brief glimpse of Mesa’s authentic roots and their importance to the community.

The eternally-blessed and supremely sacred Mormon Church built the Arizona Temple Visitor’s Center in 1928 still stands erect as a sign and a guide for all souls who visit the area. The temple gives free tours everyday and during the Christmas season stunning visual displays and remarkable musical performances are generously shared with the public.

Advanced degree education is also found in the city of Mesa. Arizona State University and Mesa Community College is the largest school within the Maricopa County College District.

The city of Mesa provides its residents with many higher educational opportunities. A respected and solid school system is an important part of Mesa. So if you want to get a good start and be real smart then you must take part in Mesa.

Retail shopping is spread throughout the city. Superstition Springs Center, Fiesta Mall, and the Factory Stores of America make it easy for residents to shop. Restaurants ranging from rustic western grills to gourmet dining are also found in the community. This makes deciding which restaurant to try first is more difficult than locating one.

Cultural events and museums are located in Mesa. Residents and visitors have a host of choices.

Arizona’s largest collection of dinosaurs can be found at the Mesa Southwest Museum. This premier museum is known as “Arizona’s Natural History Museum” with the largest dinosaur exhibit west of the Mississippi River. (Samuel Clemens will concur!)

Many also like to visit the Champlin Aircraft Fighter Museum. The world’s biggest collection of flyable, vintage fighter aircraft are on display.

The Park of the Canals gives visitors a chance to see ancient Hohokam Indian canal systems that date back to 700 B.C.

The Museum of Youth offers hands on exhibits and was voted one of the best museums for children. Families know that Mesa has many opportunities for growth culturally and educationally. Four theaters make up the Theater Complex with a continuous lobby, concessions, and dressing rooms.

Reaching out to others through art and enhancing the quality of life in Mesa is the facility’s goal.

Mesa Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreational fun is great for any age. Numerous golf courses dot the city. These courses give residents and visitors many opportunities to get out and play a round.

Within Mesa’s 122 square mile city limits, there are countless city parks. Local Mesa parks offer picnicking areas, playgrounds, grass fields, and courts. Getting outside and playing a game is more to do fun at a Mesa park than at anyplace else in the world that you can imagine.

The Chicago Cubs make Mesa their home every spring. HoHoKam Park is the second largest stadium in the Cactus League. The 25,000 square foot facility offers four practice fields, one practice infield, batting cages, and much more.

R. Steven Thomas Yacono is a legal scholar, educator and writer who has traveled extensively over the course past decade. From Beijing to Barstow and Xiamen to Sedona, his journeys have provided a wealth of experiences about fascinating people and places to share with interested readers. You can find out more about Arizona at http://www.arizonan.com; and to plan your next trip visit [http://www.on-holiday.com]

Your comments are welcomed. Please direct correspondence to R. Steven Thomas Yacono at [email protected]