Mesa Historical Society
Organization
Found in 54 Collections and/or Records:
Oral history interview with Martha Louise Libhart, 1981 April 10, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM02-55
Abstract
Libhart begins by telling the story of her surname. Her grandfather, a recent immigrant, was lost in New York City; when he was found on Libhart Street, that was the name given to him. Libhart moved to Mesa after her parents died and became a music teacher at the Franklin School. She gives a general history of life in Mesa and recalls many parades, going to the movies, and the value of a dollar. She and her husband owned a deli on the corner of Robson and University which they later sold to...
Dates:
1981 April 10; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Mary Strauch, 1985, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM02-62
Abstract
Strauch begins by telling of her father's journey to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she grew up. She talks about her brother, who was a successful anthropologist. Strauch tells the story of her husband, Don, traveling through the West to find a place to live with good weather. She tells of following him to Mesa, Arizona, where he started a very successful printing and stationery business. Strauch talks about the family business, which later included a gift shop, and how she balanced work and...
Dates:
1985; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Mason W. Davis, 1980 October 6, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM02-26
Abstract
Davis describes his childhood in Mesa, Arizona, where his family settled in the late 1800s. He discusses his schooling and recalls several businesses in downtown Mesa.
Dates:
1980 October 6; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Maynard Henry Sargent, 1981 May 6, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-182-1
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...
Dates:
1981 May 6; 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 Ms. Veora Johnson, 2001 April 19, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSAoh-j638a-V01
Abstract
Johnson details her education in Texas and tells of her move to Mesa, Arizona, to teach public school. She discusses the history of the Mesa school system during segregation and after. She describes when the schools were integrated and what it was like being the first African American teacher at the Irving School. Johnson also gives some history of the Washington area and talks about race relations in Mesa.
Dates:
2001 April 19; 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
Oral history interview with Pete Guerrero, 1979 April 20, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM97-154
Abstract
Mr. Guerrero came to Mesa in 1914 at the age of 18, and has lived at 37 N. Mesa Drive for 65 years. He describes the area surrounding his home, the streets, and the evolution of transportation in Mesa. He recalls the Stanley Steamer automobile owned by Mr. Spillsbury, the co-owner of LeSueur-Spillsbury Department Store, where Mr. Guerrero worked at one time. Because Mr. Guerrero could speak English, Spanish and the Indian dialect, he was hired to help Mr. Fred Bracket in the A&B Grocery...
Dates:
1979 April 20; Digitization: 2006 March
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Interviews 53
- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century 51
- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History -- 20th century 49
- Mormons -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 20
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Mesa (Ariz.) 11
- Central business districts -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 10
- Agriculture -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 8
- Schools -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 6
- Civic leaders -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 5
- History 5
- Recreation -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 5
- African Americans -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 4
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Arizona 3
- Medical care -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 3
- Mexican Americans -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 3
- Race relations -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 3
- Transportation -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 3
- Amusements -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 2
- Citrus -- Mesa (Ariz.) 2
- Dairy farming -- Mesa (Ariz.) 2
- Farmers -- Mesa (Ariz.) 2
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Gilbert (Ariz.) 2
- Indigenous peoples of North America -- Social life and customs 2
- Indigenous peoples of North America -- Sonoran Desert 2
- Neighborhood -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 2
- Nurses -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 2
- Physicians -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 2
- Teachers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 2
- African American women school principals -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- African American women teachers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Art collections 1
- Athletes -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Attendance officers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Automobiles -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Business enterprises -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Businessmen -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Businessmen -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Businesswomen -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Catholics -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Dairy farmers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Biography 1
- Employees -- Interviews 1
- Farmers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Florists -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Frontier and pioneer life -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Newspapers -- History 1
- Gilbert (Ariz.) -- History -- 20th century 1
- Gilbert (Ariz.) -- Social life and customs -- 20th century 1
- Indian pottery -- Collectors and collecting 1
- Indian textile fabrics -- Collectors and collecting 1
- Indigenous peoples of North America -- Colorado Plateau 1
- Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919 -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Japanese Americans -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Kachinas -- Collectors and collecting 1
- Legislators -- United States -- Interviews 1
- Mayors -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Biography 1
- Mayors -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Medicine -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Merchants -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Race relations 1
- Missionaries -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Mormon Church -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Mormons -- Mesa (Ariz.) 1
- Mormons -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Biography 1
- Music teachers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Park facilities -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Development 1
- Pharmacists -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Phoenix (Submarine) -- History 1
- Postmasters -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Public schools -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Railroads -- Maricopa (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Schools -- Gilbert (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Sheep ranches -- Arizona -- History 1
- Shoemakers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Teachers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Biography 1
- Thatcher (Ariz.) -- History 1
- Theodore Roosevelt Dam (Ariz.) -- History 1
- United States -- Politics and government -- 1945-1989 1
- Veterans -- United States -- Interviews 1
- Volunteers -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1
- Water supply -- Arizona -- History 1
- Water-supply -- Arizona 1
- Women civic leaders -- Mesa (Ariz.) -- Interviews 1 + ∧ less
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