Mesa

by The Linguist

 

Mesa, Arizona – History and Attractions in One of the Largest Cities in Arizona

With a population of over 500,000 as of 2020, Mesa is the 3rd largest city in Arizona after Phoenix and Tucson. Mesa is located in Maricopa County and encompasses over 130 square miles of land. The city has a long history dating back to its founding in 1878 and has grown rapidly in recent decades into a major suburb of Phoenix.

History of Mesa

Mesa was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1878, with most of the early settlers being farmers. The city was incorporated in 1883 and originally named Richland but later changed to Mesa due to the many mesas or flat-topped hills in the area. Agriculture remained an important part of Mesa’s economy into the 1900s along with citrus groves, cotton farming, and cattle ranching.

After World War II, Mesa began to grow rapidly as people moved to the area for the warm climate and new employment opportunities. With the rise of the tech industry in Phoenix and affordable suburban housing, Mesa’s population boomed from just over 16,000 in 1940 to over 90,000 by 1970. Today it continues to be a popular suburb for Phoenix commuters.

Attractions and Landmarks in Mesa

Despite being a large suburban city, Mesa has numerous attractions and landmarks that make it an interesting place to visit and live. Here are some of the most popular things to see and do in Mesa:

Mesa Arts Center

The Mesa Arts Center is a large performing arts, visual arts, and arts education complex located at 1 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85201, phone (480) 644-6500. The unique architecture and sculptures make it an eye-catching landmark. The complex contains four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios.

Arizona Museum of Natural History

To learn about the natural history of Arizona and the Southwest, visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History at 53 N. MacDonald St, Mesa, AZ 85201, phone (480) 644-2230. This museum houses massive dinosaur fossils and has exhibits on ancient Native American cultures, geology, and the prehistoric animals that once inhabited Arizona.

Hohokam Stadium

Baseball fans will want to catch a game at Hohokam Stadium, located at 1235 North Center Street, Mesa, AZ 85201. This stadium is home to the Chicago Cubs during spring training and the Mesa Solar Sox minor league baseball team. Games are played here from February through June each year.

Mesa Grande Ruins

For a glimpse into ancient history, visit the Mesa Grande Cultural Park & Ruins at 1000 N Date St, Mesa, AZ 85201, phone (480) 644-3075. These preserved ruins contain artifacts left by the ancient Hohokam people between 1100-1450 AD.

Mesa Arizona Temple

A striking architectural site is the Mesa Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 525 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85203. Free public tours are offered outside of Sundays and Mondays.

GPS Coordinates for Mesa Landmarks:

  • Mesa Arts Center: 33.4151° N, 111.831° W
  • Arizona Museum of Natural History: 33.4226° N, 111.831° W
  • Hohokam Stadium: 33.4185° N, 111.906° W

Mesa’s Economy and Major Employers

Mesa has a diverse economy with industries such as aerospace, healthcare, tourism, education, and technology represented. Many major employers are located in or near Mesa, providing jobs for local residents:

  • Boeing – drone and aircraft manufacturing facility, 1220 S. Dobson Rd, Mesa, AZ 85202, phone (480) 891-5500
  • Banner Health – healthcare network with facilities in Mesa, phone (602) 747-3000
  • City of Mesa – public sector employer, 20 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201, phone (480) 644-2099
  • Salt River Project (SRP) – electric utility, 1500 N Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281, phone (602) 236-8888
  • Mesa Community College – higher education, 1833 W Southern Ave, Mesa, AZ 85202, phone (480) 461-7000
  • ATSOL – aerospace company, 2355 W University Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281, phone (480) 894-7000

Mesa Transportation and Public Transit

As a sprawling city, getting around Mesa requires an automobile in most cases. However, the city does have a public bus system called Valley Metro that offers an affordable option to commuters. The Mesa local bus routes connect to the Phoenix metro light rail system for access to Downtown Phoenix. The closest airport is Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport located in east Mesa near Gilbert.

Mesa Local Resources

For learning more about events, news, and services in Mesa, check out these local resources:

Mesa Demographic and Location Details

Here are some key facts about Mesa’s location and demographics:

  • County: Maricopa County, located in central Arizona.
  • Population: Over 500,000 as of 2020 census.
  • Area: 133.1 square miles.
  • Elevation: 1,200 to 2,000 feet above sea level.
  • Climate: Hot desert climate with sunny weather year-round. Summers average over 100°F while winters are mild with highs in the 60s to 70s°F typically.
  • Maricopa County website: Maricopa County
  • Maricopa County address: 301 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003

With its long history and growth into one of the largest cities in Arizona, Mesa has developed its own unique identity and mix of attractions beyond just being a Phoenix suburb. Everything from museums and ancient ruins to spring training baseball and aerospace manufacturing help make Mesa a diverse and appealing place to live, work, and visit in the Southwest.