Recreation -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History

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...

Abstract Millett moved to Mesa from Los Angeles in 1916. She describes the trip that took her family seven days in a Model T. Ford. She describes the big changes from Los Angeles including having no refrigeration or electricity, and being completely dependent on mesquite wood. She also describes using wet burlap to keep things cool. Millet married Williams Howard Millett, a native of Mesa, and they had six children. Howard was in the first group that went to World War I from Arizona. The Milletts...

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Entz, born in Illinois, came to Mesa, Arizona, at the age of four to recover from pneumonia. She describes life in Mesa including the transition from horse and buggy to car. She recalls early downtown businesses and describes recreation including dances at the Mezona. She talks about her career as a teacher and the history of Mesa schools.

Abstract Sargent tells of his family's move to Mesa from Kansas via Los Angeles, California. He retired from a career at Salt River Project, but also worked as a farmer. Sargent gives great detail of farming operations, harvesting processes, and irrigation practices in the early and mid 20th century. He discusses various crops and products including dairy, almonds, citrus and grains. He also recalls the locations of many early farms and farmers such as the Longmores, Dobsons, and Stapleys. Sargent...

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Openshaw gives an account of life in Mesa, Arizona, where his family moved in 1902. Openshaw was one of the founders of the United Dairymen of Arizona, which helped establish the dairy industry in Arizona. He mentions some of the local businesses, and talks about recreation and the value of a dollar in earlier times. He also describes transportation and freight operations in Mesa in the early 20th century.