Mesa Historical Society
Organization
Found in 20 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Boyd Rogers, 1980 February, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-210
Abstract
Rogers tells of his family's move to Mesa in the late 1800s to settle. His grandfather, Chancy Foster Rogers, homesteaded 80 acres at the southwest corner of Alma School Road and University where Rogers was born in 1900. He tells several stories about the Rogers brothers and their homesteading days. Rogers talks about his school days including a time when he fell off the swings and broke both arms. He mentions home remedies and the value of a dollar in those days. He also describes his...
Dates:
1980 February; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Moody Crandall Gale, 1986 March 26, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-011-1
Abstract
Gale gives some of her family's history and tells how her father, Francis Winfred Moody, helped settle and design the town of Thatcher, Arizona. She talks about her early life in Thatcher taking care of her siblings and grandmother. After marrying Myron Hamilton Crandall, Gale moved to Gilbert in 1917 where they farmed for several years, raised a family of five boys, and were active in the Mormon Church. Gale describes life in Gilbert and Mesa including going to movies at the Nile Theatre...
Dates:
1986 March 26; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Faun Ellsworth Fuller, 1980, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-152
Abstract
Born in Mesa, Fuller recalls many details of everyday life: children's activities, schools, stores, and economics. She mentions several places people went for recreation including the swimming pool, the state fair, and the opera house. Her mother was a seamstress and her father owned a mercantile store that operated like a trading post for Indians. Fuller's father also served on the city council at one time. She remembers the first Catholic church, the first car of the Stapley family and...
Dates:
1980; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with John Lovell Hibbert, 1981, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-173
Abstract
Hibbert was born in Mesa at corner of Morris and Second Avenue and married Ruth Hansen in 1932 at the Arizona Temple. He describes what Mesa was like growing up with no running water, no electricity, and dusty streets. He talks about his siblings and his parents who were very active in the Mormon church. Hibbert discusses his education and mentions his graduation from Mesa High School in 1922. He names every person in his graduating class. He recalls going to Phoenix for a parade when...
Dates:
1981; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Lin Werner, 1977 May 18, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-217
Abstract
Werner, an important civic leader in Mesa, was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in 1901. He came to Mesa in 1925 when the J.C. Penney Company transferred him. Werner talks about his career with Penney's in Mesa and in Burbank, California. He discusses his civic activities in Mesa where he was elected mayor in 1936. He also served on the Chamber of Commerce Board and in Rotary Club. Werner gives detail about the development in Mesa including building parks and recreation venues, improving...
Dates:
1977 May 18; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Lorenzo Dow Rhoton, 1986 April 14, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-032-1
Abstract
Rhoton begins by describing his childhood in Shumway, Arizona, where his parents settled in 1888. He discusses his 51-year career as a teacher in Arizona, 24 of which were in Mesa. He talks about the schools in Mesa, the unification of several small school districts in the area, and names several teachers and principals. He mentions attending the dedication of the Mormon Temple in 1927. Rhoton talks about courting his wife and marrying her in Holbrook, Arizona, in 1917. He also describes the...
Dates:
1986 April 14; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Mrs. Frank Gibson, 1980 May 1, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-153
Abstract
Gibson recounts her childhood in Mesa where her family settled in the late 1800s. She was born and lived at 42 S. Center where the first Mormon Church is now. Mrs. Gibson had diphtheria as a child and the whole family was quarantined. Later her older sister died of typhoid and it was discovered that their well had been contaminated from their outhouse. Gibson talks about her father being very active in the Mormon church and in politics. She remembers that her family went to Phoenix on the...
Dates:
1980 May 1; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Orin Fuller, 1985 October 14, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-010-1
Abstract
Fuller gives a bit of family history and tells of his parents' homestead in Mesa where they settled and raised dairy cattle because of the good weather and affordable land. Fuller attended school in Mesa and Gilbert, graduated from Tempe Normal School, and went on a mission to Chicago for the Mormon Church. He recalls playing basketball and going to the Mezona every Saturday to dance. He also remembers seeing President Theodore Roosevelt when he was in the second grade. Fuller tells of...
Dates:
1985 October 14; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Owen Grant Macdonald, 1981 March 23, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-177
Abstract
Macdonald was born in Mesa in 1903. His grandfather was the first mayor of Mesa and also the first president of the Maricopa Stake of the LDS church. MacDonald Drive was named for him. Macdonald worked as the postmaster for 30 years and chief clerk for the City of Mesa for nine years. As a young man he delivered telegrams for Western Union. Macdonald gives great detail about stores and buildings in downtown Mesa including the Toggery, Stapley's, Vance's bakery, A&B grocery, Little...
Dates:
1981 March 23; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Owen Gray, 1986 June 3, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-013-1
Abstract
Gray tells the story of his family's move to Arizona in 1880 after being asked to help settle the area by the prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He jokes about having been related to most of Mesa's residents when he was young. Gray describes early Mesa with its wide, muddy streets, horses and wagons, and lots of people coming to shop on Saturdays and Sundays. He mentions many downtown businesses including McDowell's service station, the Rex Hotel, the F.P. Drew...
Dates:
1986 June 3; Digitization: 2006 March
Filtered By
- Subject: Mormons -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews X
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Mesa (Ariz.) 5
- Central business districts -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 4
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Arizona 3
- Amusements -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 2
- Civic leaders -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 2
- Teachers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 2
- Agriculture -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Athletes -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Businessmen -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Businessmen -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Dairy farming -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Farmers -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Gilbert (Ariz.) 1
- History 1
- Indigenous peoples of North America -- Social life and customs 1
- Indigenous peoples of North America -- Sonoran Desert 1
- Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919 -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Mayors -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Medical care -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Merchants -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Mormon Church -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Park facilities -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Development 1
- Postmasters -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Recreation -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Schools -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Thatcher (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Theodore Roosevelt Dam (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Volunteers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1 + ∧ less
∨ more