Settlers arrived in the area in March 1877.  These early settlers found thousands of fertile acres awaiting them.  The land, however, would be useless unless they could find a way to bring water to tableland above the river. 

While exploring they discovered a sophisticated irrigation canal system throughout the Salt River Valley. 

The canals were built by an Indian tribe that we call the Hohokam - the departed ones.  They were the first people to settle Arizona.  No one knows where they came from or where they went.  Evidence of their civilization can be seen today at the Park of the Canals and Mesa Grande Ruins.

Impressed with the flat terrain, the early settlers called the area "Mesa" the Spanish word for tabletop.

Today, Mesa is a commercial, manufacturing, agricultural and tourist center, housing seven of the top 500 manufacturers listed in Fortune magazine.  Located just 12 miles east of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona.

Mesa is the home to the state's largest school district that is ranked in the top 100 nationally.  Mesa Community College, with an enrollment of over 200,000, is one of the largest in the United States. 

Area shopping is great and with two massive regional malls and several large shopping centers there is plenty to choose from.

The city of Mesa is home to two airports, Falcon Field and Williams Gateway airports. Falcon Field Airport in northeast Mesa is home to more than 850 aircraft and 80 businesses, including Boeing Helicopter Systems.  It is a general aviation airport and is a reliever to Phoenix Sky Harbor International.  The airport serves general aviation and corporate aircraft.

Falcon Field is also home to the Champlin Fighter Museum ... home of the world's largest private collection of flyable vintage fighter aircraft, featuring the history and memorabilia of the pilots who flew them and the Confederate Air Force Museum. 

Falcon Field is also the home of the Arizona wing of the Confederate Air Force, a worldwide, all volunteer non-profit organization and the home of  "Sentimental Journey", the most authentically restored WWII B-17 flying today.  Other authentic warplanes from WWII are also on display along with memorabilia of the war years.

Williams Gateway Airport rose from what was once Williams Airforce base in southeast Mesa.  The airport serves a variety of aircraft -- corporate, cargo, general aviation and military.  

Williams Gateway Airport is a reliever to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and is the site of the Arizona State University's east campus.

The new Mesa Arts Center is a 212,755-square-foot performing arts, visual arts, and arts education facility, the largest and most comprehensive arts center in the state of Arizona.  

Located in the heart of downtown at Center and Main Streets, Mesa Arts Center reflects the city’s rich tradition of family, community and pride.