Approximately 20 miles east of Phoenix, in Arizona's Maricopa County, Mesa is a suburb that ranks as the thirty-eighth largest city in the United States. Although Mesa is the third largest city in the entire state, ranking behind only Phoenix and Tucson, it is still considered to be a commuter town due to the amount of residents who commute to other cities for work. Mesa is located in the East Valley part of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. Its current estimated population is about four hundred and sixty thousand residents, placing it above cities like Miami and Saint Louis in population numbers. Its land mass amounts to over 133 square miles, or about 324kilometers. Mesa's time zone is Mountain Standard Time, and, like the rest of Arizona, does not observe daylight saving time. Mesa is associated with five sister cities from all over the world. These sister cities are assigned by Sister Cities International. The cities are Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Caraz, Peru, Guaymas, Mexico, Kaiping, China, Upper Hutt, New Zealand, and Manaus, Brazil. Having sister cities is common all over the world. This system is designed to further the promotion of cooperation in both culture and commercial-related terms and agreements.
Mesa's earliest history can be traced back about two thousand years ago, to the native Hohokam people. The meaning behind their name, Hohokam, can mean the Departed Ones. It can also mean All Used Up. These people built Mesa's original system of canals. These canals were the biggest and most sophisticated in the then-prehistoric country. By the year 1100, over one hundred and 10,000 acres of land could be supplied with water. By 1450, the Hohokam people had built hundreds of miles' worth of canals. Some of them are still being used in the present day.
What happened between the disappearance of the Hohokam people and the arrival of early settlers is unclear. Few explorers made it into that land. It was not until later in the nineteenth century that the Apache people in the area were subdued by United States soldiers, allowing for more settlers to come into the area. North of what is now known as Mesa, a Mormon settlement was formed with the help of Daniel Webster Jones. This was in the spring of 1877, and at the same time, another group, called the First Mesa Company, was coming into the area. They worked on the canals and the land, and on July 17, 1878, Mesa City was registered. It was a town site of one square mile. In 1879, the first schoolhouse was constructed, and by 1883, Mesa City grew to have a population of three hundred residents. By the time of the Great Depression, Mesa had paved roads, a hospital, and many more important things to help it become the great city it is today.
Mesa is a relatively young city, having been established less than 150 years ago. The original residents of the city were white settlers, which is shown today in the city's demographics. An overwhelming 85% of the Mesa population is Caucasian. However, probably due in part to Mexican immigration, this number is followed by just over 26% Hispanic residents. Other races, such as African, Native American, Asian and others make up extremely low percentages of the Mesa residents. According to a census taken in 2001, there are about 443,000 persons, 147,000 households, and 99,900 families living in Mesa. The population density is estimated to be about 3,200 people per square mile.
Mesa has very wide east to west boundaries, compared to most major cities. About 18 miles long, most Mesa residents differentiate between areas by referring to them as West Mesa and East Mesa. The city uses a grid system to number its streets. There are many different attractions and amenities available in the city of Mesa for its residents and visitors. From cultural entertainment and exploration of the land to modern tourist activity, Mesa holds something of interest for anyone. Both residents and visitors of the city can find enjoyment in uncovering the secrets of the city.
Even though Mesa is one of the largest cities in the United States, it is still classified as a bedroom community. A bedroom community, or commuter town as it is commonly called, is identified as an area that is mostly residential. In the commuter town, most of the workers commute to earn their living. Often, these commuter towns are suburbs of nearby metropolises.
There are several companies in and around Mesa that are consistently popular for employees. These include Bank of America, Intel, American Express, Staples, and Charles Schwab. Some of the city's more common careers are in managing, professional, and sales and office-type jobs. An estimated 78% of Mesa's workers are employed by corporations. Eleven percent of workers are in government while just 5% are classified as self-employed. Mesa has an unemployment rate of just less than 6%, while the national unemployment average is just less than 7%. Since January 2009, the number of jobs in this Arizona city has declined by 18%. According to government information, Mesa's average job salary is $36,552 per annum. Some of the most common occupations in Mesa are in physical therapy, clerking and accounting. The city's leading industries are in education, health, retail and management. Many job hunters are finding employment in areas related to computer manufacture and maintenance, as well as food service.
Even though this Arizona city is mostly populated with Caucasian Americans, Mesa still has a wide variety of restaurants serving foods from all around the world. Mesa boats a great selection of authentic Mexican food. The city also has a healthy variety of American, Italian, Asian, French, and many other types of cuisine.
One dining establishment that no one should miss is the Landmark Restaurant. Located in a historical mesa structure from 1908, it has many unique and interesting features. Inside is an entire room devoted to its salads, including over 100 different ingredients. There is also a historical photo gallery for the perusal of the restaurant's diners. For an authentic taste of Mexico, all visitors and residents of Mesa should try Dos Lobos Catina. Serving a variety of real Mexican favorites, such as tacos, enchiladas and burritos as well as house specialities including their local Apple Chimi dessert, Scorpion on a Stick, and Acapulco Scallops, Dos Lobos Catina is open daily. Mitchell's Ripe Tomato Cafe is a perfect place to relax for a home-cooked breakfast. Boasting a three-level dining space with a view of Canyon Lake, Mitchell's Ripe Tomato Cafe offers indoor and outdoor seating. The cafe serves breakfast on weekends and lunch on weekdays.
There are many wonderful entertainment sites in Mesa. The Mesa Amphitheater, or “The Amp”, has been a hotspot in Mesa for entertainment since its construction in 1979. Many acts have lit up its stage since then, with great diversity of performance from artists such as Santana, Adam Sandler, Sheryl Crow, Avenged Sevenfold, Nickelback, and many more. This only shows how popular this amphitheater is. On top of this, The Amp is also reportedly capable of holding a maximum of 4,950 guests. Another source of entertainment well-known by the locals is HoHoKam Park, or Dwight W. Patterson Field.
HoHoKam Park features a baseball stadium which has been the spring training site for the Chicago Cubs since 1979. Constructed in 1997, the stadium is capable of holding 12,632 guests. HoHoKam's scoreboard is the biggest in the Cactus League at 12 by 16 feet. Mesa also boasts a visual arts facility, the Mesa Arts Center. The largest arts campus in Arizona, the Mesa Arts Center is over 210,000 square feet. It contains four different performing venues, including an intimate 99-seater and a 1,600-seat Ikeda Theater. The Mesa Arts Center also houses 5,500 square feet of art gallery space as well as classroom studios for the arts.
There are a few landmarks and attractions that no visitor or resident of this Arizona city should miss. These include museums, archaeological sites and a water park. Whether you are a tourist or a long-time resident of the city, Mesa has something for everyone. Museums are a great place to start for sightseeing in Mesa. The area boats a few different ones, including the Arizona Museum for Youth. This museum has fully interactive exhibits for all age groups, especially younger children. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is another must-see. Exhibiting displays related to the history of the Southwest, this 80,000 square foot museum has an impressive collection of 58,000 display items. Another important stop on the museum list is the Mesa Historical Museum.
This adult-oriented museum has been in operation since 1987 and displays a comprehensive history of the city, including a replica of its first, one room, adobe school house. It also features changing exhibit galleries and collections of historical agriculture-related equipment. Its largest displayed artifacts are actually the buildings themselves. The main section was constructed in 1913, and its auditorium was erected in 1930. The two buildings are included in the National Register of Historic Places. Thought to be dated from the 1300s, the Hohokam structures in the Mesa Grande Ruins are a big attraction for anyone who is interested in history and archaeology. It is the first of just two remaining Hohokam sites, and is presently undergoing archaeological study. Although the site itself is not open for public exploration, it can be viewed from a distance.
The nightlife in Mesa varies from sophisticated and intimate bistros to sultry bars to flashy dance clubs. There is sure to be something to suit any clubber's personality and taste. For anyone who wants to get a taste of local Mesa dance, try 12 West Main. This discreet dance hall features a variety of country dancing from swing and line dancing to the hottest contemporary country. 12 West Main is one of the city's most fun-filled halls for country dance and karaoke.
For a more sophisticated experience, visit the Revolver Lounge. The classy environment with beautiful wood floors is conducive to the clubber in search of some upscale fun. With fun dance music that everyone will recognize and attentive staff, the Revolver Lounge offers a great time to its customers. For a musical experience with local and touring bands, try the Martini Ranch. In a hip, small, and intimate setting, visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the performers as they enjoy the secure bar and great music. For a darker, more intimate bar and dance experience, visit the Dirty Pretty Rockbar. With a mix of popular music on the dance floor and inexpensive drinks, this bar and club is a favorite with the locals. Mesa truly features a wide variety of businesses for partygoers.
Mesa is home to plenty of businesses for the visitor or local resident to have a full shopping experience. In West Mesa, you will find the Fiesta Mall, which is anchored by such big name retailers as Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Dillard's, Macy's and Sears. There are also multiple other shopping centers nearby, as well as restaurants, boutiques and Mesa's only skyscraper, Bank of America.
One of the newer shopping centers that have opened in Mesa is located in the city's northwest corner. Mesa Riverview is an outdoor mall-type retail area encompassing one million, three hundred thousand square feet. It will be anchored by such stores as Bass Pro Shop, Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, and a cinema multiplex. It will also feature restaurants and some specialty shops. In East Mesa, there is another shopping mall called the Superstition Springs Center. It includes an amphitheater outdoors with a fountain as part of the stage. Some of the anchoring stores in the Superstition Springs Center include Dillard's, Macy's, JCPenney, and Sears. Anything can be found in Mesa's shopping centers, from electronics, pets and groceries to the latest fashions for men, women and children. With such a varied selection all over the city, locals and visitors can easily locate everything they could ever need in Mesa.
The city of Mesa, Arizona takes good care of its residents with its array of clinics, salons, and fitness centers to maintain health and image. Since jobs in therapy are some of the most common occupations in the city, it is no surprise that there are plenty of therapists around to ensure your best mental and physical health. Stress can be one of the most detrimental triggers to one's weight control, mental health, skin elasticity and general well being. There are plenty of spas and salons in Mesa to help achieve the healthiest body possible.
For services including hairstyles for men, women and children, aromatherapy, anti-aging treatments, and nail pampering, try local businesses such as the Bravo Salon, Elysian Salon and Rejuvenation Spa, and Joann's Beauty Image. Professional hair services in the area include Hair By Tito, Selah Salon, and Regis Salons. Massage can also be a very important part of therapy and a stress relieving routine. Try visiting MoonStone Wellness, Acacia Day Spa, Hand and Stone Massage Spa, and Inner Essence Massage. A visit to a spa can also be a very relaxing retreat from the stressful daily life, and establishments such as Gigli's Day Spa, Healing Arts Day Spa, and Total Bliss Salon & Day Spa can help. Diet, fitness and nutrition are also important parts of healthy living, and businesses to help residents with these aspects of life are easily located in Mesa. Establishments such as Well For Life, Kroll Fitness, and Infinite Healing Center are there to serve their customers in any way they can. Mesa is a well-rounded city for anyone to live in or visit.
Adventurous sightseeing, shopping, fantastic dining, and many more can be experienced in Mesa, Arizona. Vacationers and travelers can enjoy their stay in the many affordable Mesa hotels offering good quality services and splendid hotel accommodation experiences. The city's different hotels accommodate a variety of tourists from nearby cities and other places who come here for business conferences, leisure travel, vacation, and others. The Mesa hotels guarantee great accommodation with excellent facilities to cater the needs of the guests.
The Best Western Superstition Springs Inn is a convenient place for the visitors. Superstition Mountains, Mesa Williams Gateway Airport, and Superstition Springs Mall are just nearby. This Mesa hotel offers great value and excellent amenities. The Hyatt Place Phoenix Mesa is a new hotel that opened in April 2009. This hotel is near the well-known shopping, entertainment and dining areas in the city. Spacious guestrooms with 42-in high-definition televisions are available for the guests. The Comfort Inn & Suites Downtown is close to Mesa Arts Center and Mesa Mormon Temple. This Mesa hotel serves the guests with complimentary breakfast every morning. The hotel appreciates its multilingual staff, picnic area, and 48 guestrooms that are well-furnished to make the visitors comfortable. The Clarion Inn Mesa is located a few minutes from the Mesa Convention Center. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, and fitness center. The hotel's European Bistro Restaurant and Lounge serves tasty meals. The rooms are equipped with mini-refrigerators, flat-screen televisions, coffee makers, and microwaves. Interesting attractions like the Phoenix Zoo, Golfland SunSplash Water Park, and Fiesta Mall only take a short drive from this Mesa hotel. Hampton Inn Mesa boasts its 116 guestrooms, each equipped with video-game console and premium cable channel. The hotel features friendly staff and exceptional amenities to make the guests comfortable.
Mesa, Arizona is the third largest city in Arizona. There are lots of choices for parents of Kindergarteners all the way up to High School Seniors in the way of schools. Mesa Public School system is made up of 9 districts. This includes 111 elementary schools, 58 middle schools, 83 high schools, and 129 preschools. These schools include 20 private schools.
There are different types of private schools in Mesa. Some of them are smaller with classrooms of only ten or less. These schools work on teaching each individual child. This helps parents who are willing to pay a little more to make sure their children are getting the best education. Of the private schools the majority of them rotate around spirituality. The Mesa Education Association works hard to make sure that public schools are the best they can be. They monitor schools and work on improvement for teacher's and student's working conditions and putting on workshops to expand each teacher's toolbox of education methods. Arizona pulls in lots of students across the nation and has a few different options to offer. There are 17 campuses to choose from in Mesa, Arizona. There are technical schools, beauty schools, community colleges and a University. Mesa has 4 Community Colleges, and two colleges that are strictly online. The University mentioned is Arizona State University East. Of the freshmen that come into Arizona State University, there are over 30% who are in the top 10% of their graduating high school class. This is an impressive amount for a school in the desert. With so many college choices there is a very eclectic group of graduates who spread all over the country. The students of Arizona State go on to do wonderful things with their education. The pull of the desert and exotic nature of Mesa is a good draw for students to get a well-rounded education, and a cultural experience.
Though it is actively involved in the transportation of Mesa, the Valley Metro is not actually in charge of running Mesa transportation. The biggest bus systems are run by the city of Phoenix and a Regional Public Transportation Authority. The Valley Metro has lots to offer in the way of transportation. It is the port for the Metro Light Rail, Rapid Bus Service, Dial-A-Ride, and Shuttle Services. The Metro Light Rail is perfect for commuters. The fares are low and there are stops every fifteen minutes. The Shuttle and Rapid bus services take you on a faster track to see the sights of the city. These are your tickets to downtown Phoenix. They have routes for the visitors who just want to sight see, and they have routes for visitors who want to shop. Dial-A-Ride is a service where you call if you need them and a bus or transport van will come and pick you up.
Mesa has a couple of sightseeing tours that can be booked for families or large groups. These tours will take you to see the Apache Trail and other attractions, and national monuments. The tours can be booked online or over the phone up to a year in advance. Having a convenient option to book ahead of time when you are making plans is extremely helpful. A choice for tourists who do not enjoy hailing one of the many cabs in the city is ABA Transportations' dial option. These vehicles are spread out all over the city, and are ready when you call. Like a cab they do charge based on the length of your trip. Unlike a cab you can call them to you specifically rather than having to fight with other people looking for a ride. With so many choices available in Mesa, Arizona folks love to travel there and know that they will be taken care of.
Have you ever wondered how the Mayor's office or City Hall is spending all your hard- earned dollars in and around Mesa? Well, there are many offices and departments that can help you find out. Did you know that the city has departments for animal adoption, information technology, Business Relocating and Sustainability; as well as the more recognizable fire, police and the court services? The local government officials are there for you, providing essential services and keeping the city clean and safe for you and your family. The Mesa City council can also help you make the best of living in a desert environment. They run workshops helping you design gardens for desert landscapes and can provide you with a copy of the latest energy codes to make sure Mesa energy efficient.
To find all of the information available regarding the local government offices, you should visit the official website at www.mesaaz.gov. The City uses all types of media to keep you informed, including its own public TV service, Mesa Channel 11. The Mesa council offices, including the Mayor's office, are located at City Hall, 20 East Main Street, Mesa, Arizona, 85201. For general questions, please contact the City via e-mail at citymgt.info@Mesaaz.gov. The phone number to call is (480) 644 2011 for general enquiries; or you are welcome to contact the Mayor, Council members and City Manager directly. Their phone numbers are on the website. Did you also know you can contact City Hall if you need information on tee times at the Dobson Ranch Golf Course or the Riverview Golf Course, the airport, transport routes, and even the status of public safety projects and local developments? If you are looking for something to do on the weekend, you can contact the Mesa City council and ask about events at the Arizona Museum of Natural History, Hohokam Stadium, and Mesa Amphitheatre. They can also let you know where there is late night shopping, dining or the hottest nightclubs!
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