Heritage Colorado

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...

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...

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...

Abstract LeBaron describes her childhood home on Eighth Street ? one room with a dirt basement ? and talks about getting water from a well, and keeping a garden and chickens. She talks about her father's work as a farmer and rancher and tells about moving around to live on the various farms he worked. LeBaron discusses her experience teaching in Mesa and her own schooling when she was young. She talks about what the kids did for amusement, what medicine was like as a child, and mentions several...

Abstract Leavitt gives a little family history and mentions that her grandfather, a farmer, was the first person in Mesa to dig a well. She mentions several downtown businesses including the post office, Clyde's furniture store, Dennett's drugstore, LeSueur's grocery store, and The Toggery. She also recalls the Mezona dance hall and the Opera House theater. Leavitt talks about the flu epidemic when her entire family was ill and her uncle died leaving behind a wife and ten children. She recalls when...

Abstract Born in Mesa in 1903, Rogers tells of how his family was sent by Brigham Young to colonize Arizona. His father, Isaac Higby Rogers, worked as a blacksmith and invented a new device to shoe mules. He recalls details of farming with no machinery and home life with no electricity or running water. They used wet burlap to keep milk, eggs and butter cool. Rogers' grandfather was president of the Indian mission of the Mormon church, and Rogers gives a lot of detail about the daily life of Native...

Abstract Hanson begins by telling the story of her parents' move to Mesa at the request of Brigham Young; they were asked to help ?colonize? the area. Her father, Hyrum Smith Peterson, served as the Town Marshall of Mesa, but was killed while serving in office. She talks about becoming a teacher and marrying Thomas Franklin Riggs, a blacksmith. Hanson discusses plays, parks, dances, and other things residents of Mesa had for entertainment. She describes dealing with the hot weather, medicine, and...

Abstract Palmer begins by telling that she was born in Mesa, Arizona, and has lived there all her life. She describes her schooling and names many of her teachers. She recounts that although her family was poor, she never felt poor. She gives some family history and tells of her grandparents, the Hills and the Stapleys, settling in Mesa. She talks about everyday life including doing laundry, preserving food, and sleeping outside in summer. Palmer tells about dating and marrying her husband, Lehi...

Abstract Miller tells of her family's move, when she was 14 years old, to the Gilbert area to farm. She describes her schooling, some of the area's fairs and parades, going to the movies, and other things they did for entertainment. She talks about medicine, home remedies, and how her entire family was ill during the flu epidemic of 1918. She recalls that Mesa's streets began to be paved around 1918 and that her father's first car was a ?Grant.? Miller talks about her daily home life and then...