Oral history interview with Lin Werner, 1977 May 18, 2006 March

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 streets, and promoting Mesa as a great place to live. Werner was also responsible for eliminating the city's property tax. Werner married Eliza Willis in 1926, and he talks about their family. He also recalls planting his citrus grove on Val Vista Drive.