MESA

city, Maricopa county, south-central Arizona, U.S. A southeastern suburb of Phoenix, its tableland site was settled in 1878 by Mormons who used ancient Hohokam Indian canals for irrigation. The community became the focus of an agricultural and fruit-growing region, developed from a Salt River reclamation project. It experienced rapid growth after World War II; and its basic farm economy diversified to include manufacturing, tourism, and retail trade. It is the site of a Mormon Temple (1927), Mesa Community College (1965), and the University of Arizona's Agricultural Experimental Station. Salt River Indian Reservation is across the river to the north. The Chicago Cubs have their spring training camp there. Inc. town, 1883; city, 1930. Pop. (1990) 288,091.