Mesa, Arizona
Mesa is one of the United States' fastest-growing cities, and currently ranks as the 37th-largest. 2006 Census Bureau estimates put the city's population at 460,155.
The city has a larger population than better-known United States cities such as Cleveland, Miami, Minneapolis, Saint Louis, or Saint Paul.
Although it has a large population, Mesa is a "bedroom community." Neighborhoods across the city are diverse — some areas have experienced urban blight, while others contain elaborate custom homes.
Mesa was founded in January 1878 by Latter-day Saint (LDS or Mormon) 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).
Geography and Climate
Mesa's elevation is approximately 1,241 feet (378 m) and is located at 
33°24′54″N, 111°49′53″W (33.414889, -111.831496). The city spreads over a mesa or plateau that stands about one hundred feet higher than Phoenix. Thus, the name given to it by its Mormon settlers.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 125.2 square miles (324.2 km˛), of which, 125.0 square miles (323.7 km˛) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km˛) of it (0.16%) is water.
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
| Rec. high °F (°C) |
89 (31.6) |
95 (35) |
99 (37.2) |
106 (41.1) |
118 (47.8) |
116 (46.7) |
119 (48.3) |
115 (46.1) |
113 (45) |
107 (41.7) |
97 (36.1) |
86 (30) |
| Avg high °F (°C) |
67 (19.4) |
71 (21.7) |
77 (25) |
85 (29.4) |
94 (34.4) |
104 (40) |
106 (41.1) |
104 (40) |
99 (37.2) |
89 (31.6) |
75 (23.9) |
67 (19.4) |
| Avg low temperature °F (°C) |
41 (5) |
45 (7.2) |
49 (9.4) |
54 (12.2) |
61 (16.1) |
70 (21.1) |
77 (25) |
76 (24.4) |
70 (21.1) |
59 (15) |
47 (8.3) |
40 (4.4) |
| Rec. low °F (°C) |
15 (-9.4) |
19 (-7.2) |
24 (-4.4) |
30 (-1.1) |
37 (2.7) |
43 (6.1) |
54 (12.2) |
51 (10.5) |
40 (4.4) |
30 (-1.1) |
22 (-5.6) |
17 (-8.3) |
| Avg precipitation in. (mm) |
1.01 (25.7) |
0.99 (25.1) |
1.19 (30.2) |
0.33 (8.4) |
0.17 (4.3) |
0.06 (1.5) |
0.89 (22.6) |
1.14 (29) |
0.89 (22.6) |
0.81 (20.6) |
0.77 (19.6) |
0.98 (24.9) |
| Source: Weather.com | |
History
The first settlers in Mesa were probably the Hohokam, who made life on the arid landscape of the region possible by developing an extensive canal system. Their probable descendants, possibly including the Akimel O'odham, remained in the area. Much later, Spanish missionaries and soldiers traveled through the area. Then, several groups of Mormon, or Latter Day Saints, pioneers settled in the area. Over time, residents from other areas of the Valley of the Sun and further afield also moved into Mesa, increasing its population further.
Timeline
- Circa 1 AD. The Hohokam arrived in the area. They built an extensive canal system.
- 1358. A large flood occurred, perhaps damaging the canal system.
- 1865. At a ferry west of present-day Val Vista Road, an establishment called Maryville was created. The ferry was used by soldiers.
- 1877. After Maryville was abandoned, a group of LDS pioneers arrived in March 1877 and settled in an area called Lehi (in the northwest part of present-day Mesa). The pioneers were led by Daniel Webster Jones, who had been asked by LDS officials to direct a party of people in establishing a settlement in Arizona. This settlement was initially known as Jonesville and Fort Utah and did not receive the name of Lehi until 1883, when it was adopted on the suggestion of Brigham Young, Jr.
- 1878. An 85-member LDS pioneer contingent called "The First Mesa Company" arrived from Utah and Idaho. Their leaders were named Crismon, Pomeroy, Robson, and Sirrine. They decided not to stay with Daniel Webster Jones' group in Lehi and moved southward and began to clear out the Hohokam canals.
Cultural attractions
Public Libraries
- Main Library (MN)
- Dobson Ranch Branch (DR)
- Red Mountain Branch (RM)
Amenities
-
The Superstition Springs Center is a shopping mall in East Mesa owned by Westcor. It features an outdoor amphitheatre and fountain which convert to a stage. Anchor stores at the mall are Dillard's, JCPenney, Macy's, Mervyn's, and Sears.
-
An older mall, Fiesta Mall, is located in west Mesa, and also owned by Westcor. The mall's anchors are Dillard's, Macy's, and Sears. It is located near several shopping centers, Mesa's Bank of America, and other retail stores, banks, and restaurants. An expansion of Fiesta Mall has been planned.
Mesa Riverview is a new outdoor destination retail center in the northwestern corner of the city, near Loop 202 and Dobson Road. At build-out the center will include of 1,300,000 square feet (121,000 m˛) of retail space. The anchors include Bass Pro Shops, Cinemark Theatres, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot. Mesa Riverview also includes restaurants and specialty stores.
Transportation
Several area freeways serve the Mesa area, such as U.S. Route 60, locally known as the Superstition Freeway, which runs between Apache Junction and Phoenix. It is also served by SR 87 and bypass loops Loop 101, which skirts the western city limits as the Price Freeway, and Loop 202, which bypasses the city on the north and east. Public transportation is provided by Valley Metro with buses running Monday through Saturday only; Mesa is the largest U.S. city with no public transit service on Sundays. Mesa is scheduled to be connected to the METRO Light Rail in December 2008 at Main and Sycamore, on the end of line section 5.
Air service in the city is provided by two airports. Falcon Field, located in the northeastern part of the city, was established as a training field for British RAF pilots during World War II and was transferred to the city at the end of the war. Boeing builds the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter at a facility adjoining Falcon Field. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is located in the far southeastern area of the city, and provides alternate but limited air service to Sky Harbor International Airport. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway was formerly Williams Gateway Airport, and before that, Williams Air Force Base, which closed in 1993. Williams Gateway was announced as a new Focus City for Allegiant Air. Service started October 25, 2007.
Education
Almost all of the city of Mesa is served by public schools operated by Mesa Public Schools; however, a small southern portion is served by the Gilbert Public Schools, and a small western portion is served by the Tempe Elementary School District and the Tempe Union High School District.
Mesa is also home to Mesa Community College, the largest of the Maricopa Community Colleges, which enrolls over 22,000 full and part time students. In addition, the Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University lies in southeast Mesa. This satellite campus enrolls over 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students in scientific and engineering fields.
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