Mesa (Ariz.) -- History -- 20th century
Subject
Subject Source: Local sources
Found in 49 Collections and/or Records:
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 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
Oral history interview with Ray Killian, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-020-1
Abstract
Killian recounts his childhood in Concho, Arizona, where his parents owned Concho Mercantile Company. He describes his schooling in Thatcher, Arizona, his successful studies, and the opportunity he was given to train in the banking industry. He talks about his activities in the Mormon Church, including a mission to Hawaii, his experiences as a banker during the Great Depression, and his early married life with his wife, Jesse Ellsworth. Killian tells about moving to Mesa in 1935; he...
Dates:
2006 March
Oral history interview with Wanda LeBaron, 1985 June 18, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSM02-48
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...
Dates:
1985 June 18; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history interview with Wayne and Zoe Phelps, 1988 January 8, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-030-1
Abstract
Wayne Phelps begins by giving his family's history and telling how his grandparents moved to Arizona at the request of Brigham Young. He recalls several early Mesa families and the houses they built. He reminisces about selling newspapers as a young boy, and about a trip he took to the Grand Canyon. He also recalls several local business including the Rex Hotel, Gus Wendel's jewelry store, F.P. Drew Lumber Company, and a few blacksmithing shops. Mr. Phelps talks about his schooling, mentions...
Dates:
1988 January 8; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history of Angy Booker, 2002 June 15, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MSAoh-j638a-V02
Abstract
Booker, born in Naco, Arizona, talks about her family's history and her experiences as an African American woman in early Mesa. Her great-grand parents were slaves, and her grandfather and father were Buffalo Soldiers in the army. Her mother did laundry for a living, including for the O.S. Stapley family. She describes early downtown Mesa and mentions some businesses such as Everybody's Drugstore, the post office, J.C. Penney's, the hospital, and some churches. Booker discusses race...
Dates:
2002 June 15; Digitization: 2006 March
Oral history of Blanche Allen Leavitt, 1985 June 11, 2006 March
Item
Identifier: MHM2005-027-021-1
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...
Dates:
1985 June 11; Digitization: 2006 March