Visit
Mesa, Arizona
by R. Steven Thomas Yacono
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 aztreking@hotmail.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R._Steven_Thomas_Yacono
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