Mesa in Maricopa County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Mesa Pioneer Monument

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

1. Mesa Pioneer Monument Marker

Inscription.
This monument is dedicated to the founding men, women and children of Mesa whose efforts, with others of all races, religions and cultures, changed a harsh desert land into this vibrant city of today.

When the first settlers came in 1877-78, they found the remains of an irrigation system built over a thousand years earlier by the Hohokam - "those who are gone." With gratitude for the work of these early people and after eight months of wearisome toil, the new settlers restored one of the ancient canals and water once again flowed to the desert from which this community was destined to grow.

We of Mesa are proud of the heritage these honest, hard-working pioneers have left us. May their spirit and determination continue to enrich our lives through this memorial.

Erected 1988.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 33° 24.92′ N, 111° 49.174′ W. Marker is in Mesa, Arizona, in Maricopa County. It is on East Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Monument is located at the southern entrance to Pioneer Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 526 East Main Street, Mesa AZ 85204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker and monument is in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert,

in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area,

and in the Tohono O’odham Nation.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arizona's Honeymoon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); Mesa (within shouting distance of this marker); Sirrine House (approx.

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¾ mile away); The Alhambra Hotel (approx. 0.8 miles away); Zenos Co-Op (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mesa Woman's Club House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Pomeroy Building (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wayne C. Pomeroy (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mesa.

Also see . . . Hohokum Canals in Mesa, Arizona. Unfortunately, not much is left in the way of remnants of Hohokam people. However, there are some rather striking remains such as the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument near Casa Grande and the Pueblo Grande Museum in Phoenix, both of which have Hohokam buildings and relics. In Mesa, there is "Park of the Canals" which boasts large hand-dug canals that were originally made by the Hohokam, and latter deepened by the Mormon settlers.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to view remnants of a canal that is now preserved in the Park of Canals in Mesa. (Submitted on February 15, 2010.)

Mesa Pioneer Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

2. Mesa Pioneer Monument

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 13, 2010

3. Mesa Pioneer Monument