3-b_Exhibit 1 - Historic Preservation Guidelines DRAFT (red)

P R EPARE D BY
 T HE C IT Y O F ME SA 
HISTORIC PRESERVATION 
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Sirrine House • 160 N Center St.

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Mesa Historic 
Preservation Board
James Babos, Chair (2020 - Present)
Jocelyn Skogebo, Vice Chair (2021 - Present)
Bruce Nelson (2022 - Present)
Jason Ludwig (2025 - Present)
Jeff Welker (2026 - Present)
Sarah Prince (2026 - Present)
BJ Parsons (2022 - 2026)
Jessica Sarkissian (2023 - 2026)
Ty Utton (2023 - 2025)
Russ Haughey (2022 - 2023)
Brandon Benzing (2016 - 2023)
Barbara Bingham (2019 - 2023)
City Staff
Nana Appiah, Development Services Director
Matthew Kriegl, Historic Preservation Officer
Meg Eaton, City Archaeologist
Mary Kopaskie-Brown, Planning Director
Rachel Nettles, Assistant Planning Director
Kellie Rorex, Senior Planner
Noah Bulson, Planner I
Brett Hanlon, Principal Planner
Michelle Dahlke, Principal Planner 
Maura Jackson, Historic Preservation Planner 
Arianna Urban, Historic Preservation Planner
Melissa Canez, Admin Support Assistant I
ACKNOWLEDGMENT S
Mesa City Council
Mark Freeman, Mayor
Rich Adams (District 1)
Dorean Taylor (District 2)
Francisco Heredia (District 3)
Jenn Duff (District 4)
Alicia Goforth (District 5)
Scott Somers, Vice Mayor (District 6)
John Giles, Former Mayor
Photos
All images are courtesy of the Lakota 
Group and the City of Mesa unless 
otherwise noted.
Consultant
Funding
The creation of this document has been 
supported in part with funds from the 
National Park Service, U.S. Department of 
Interior, administered by the Arizona State 
Historic Preservation Office, a division of 
Arizona State Parks and Trails.

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TABLE OF CONTENT S
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................
CHAPTER 2: CERTIFICATES OF APPROPRIATENESS.........................................................
CHAPTER 3: GUIDELINES FOR PRESERVATION, RESTORATION & REHABILITATION....
CHAPTER 4: GUIDELINES FOR ADDITIONS........................................................................... 
CHAPTER 5: GUIDELINES FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION......................................................
CHAPTER 6: GUIDELINES FOR HISTORIC SIGNAGE..........................................................
CHAPTER 7: MESA'S HISTORIC & ARCHITECTURAL CONTEXT........................................
APPENDIX.................................................................................................................................
	
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Downtown Mesa Mural at 47 W Main St.

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Living Document
Preface
Like all cities, Mesa faces balancing growth, changing community values, and gaining new understandings of 
significance. Similarly, preservation practices, standards, and historic designations evolve as well. The format 
of these guidelines is designed to be open-ended, allowing new revisions and additions to be made as new 
architectural styles, construction and preservation methods, and neighborhood situations are encountered.
The Mesa Historic Preservation Design Guidelines are created to encourage the preservation and thoughtful 
stewardship of the City's historically significant resources while recognizing the need for their continued 
adaptation, maintenance, and improvement. By promoting appropriate historic property treatments, these 
guidelines help to preserve the historic integrity, community character, and unique sense of place that define 
Mesa's historic neighborhoods and historic places. They also support long-term investment in Mesa's historic 
resources by providing clear expectations and encouraging appropriate projects.
The Historic Preservation Design Guidelines provide a framework for preservation decisions for the Historic 
Preservation Office, the Historic Preservation Board, the Planning and Zoning Board, the Mesa City Council, 
and property owners. Historic Preservation Guidelines included in this document are the tools by which 
the Historic Preservation Office and the Historic Preservation Board evaluate proposed projects involving 
properties that are locally designated with a Historic Preservation (HP) overlay or Historic Signs listed on the 
Mesa Historic Sign Register. These guidelines are intended to ensure that projects are compatible with the 
historic character and integrity of historic resources and help provide a fair, predictable, and efficient design 
review process for all applicants.

CHAPTER 1: 
INTRODUCTION
Strauch Fuller House • 148 North Macdonald

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This document provides guidance for planning, designing, 
and undertaking improvements to historic homes, 
buildings, sites, structures, and signs in Mesa. These 
guidelines accompany and supplement the historic 
preservation regulations found in the Mesa Zoning 
Ordinance and establish a basis for determining the 
appropriateness of construction projects proposed for 
locally designated historic resources.
This document will:
•	 Assist City staff and the Historic Preservation Board 
in decision-making.
•	 Support appropriate changes that are compatible 
with the distinctive character of historic resources.
•	 Help identify and resolve specific design concerns 
frequently raised in historic districts.
Purpose
•	 Assist the local building industry, including architects, 
contractors, and suppliers, as well as City officials 
such as building inspectors and utility providers, in 
understanding the nature of historic areas and how 
to reinforce their special character.
•	 Improve the design quality of future developments 
within historic districts and ensure growth remains 
consistent with the district's historic character.
•	 Protect current property values and public investment 
in historic districts and landmarks by discouraging 
poorly designed and inappropriate projects.
•	 Increase the overall public awareness of the unique 
character of Mesa’s historic resources.
•	 Provide background information on the architectural 
history of Mesa, including designated historic districts 
and landmarks. 
855 E 2nd St. • Fraser Fields Historic District

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59 E 1st St. • The Studios at Mesa City Center
Design Review Guidance
City staff and the Historic Preservation Board can use 
these guidelines when conducting historic reviews, 
when evaluating projects with the potential to be 
historically designated, and as a tool to communicate 
with applicants the treatment options that are 
compatible with their historic resource.
Preparing for Property Improvements
Property owners, designers, and contractors are 
encouraged to draw upon the principles set forth in 
these guidelines when planning improvements within 
historic neighborhoods or to a historic property.
Supporting Community Character
These guidelines help preserve the architectural 
character, historic integrity, and unique sense of place 
that make Mesa's historic neighborhoods distinctive. By 
encouraging compatible improvements and providing 
clear expectations, they support long-term investment 
in historic resources and protect property values.
When Should This Document Be Used?
Using the Guidelines
This document contains guidance on appropriate 
treatments for Mesa’s historic properties and direction 
for achieving historic standards. While it attempts 
to cover multiple scenarios, it is best to consult with 
the Mesa Historic Preservation Office and the current 
Building Code for information pertaining to specific 
properties prior to beginning a project. Guidance for 
signage is also detailed, including both historic signs 
and signs on historic buildings. 
The design guidelines are intended to help property 
owners, designers, and contractors evaluate what is, or 
is not, appropriate before bringing plans to the Historic 
Preservation Office or the Historic Preservation Board 
for review or approval. 
Chapters 1 through 7 include technical guidance for 
projects related to historic resources in Mesa, while the 
appendices that follow provide additional context for 
those who wish to learn more. Hyperlinks have been 
included throughout for easy navigation.

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CHAPTER 2: 
CERTIFICATES OF 
APPROPRIATENESS
Spangler-Wilbur House • 128 North Macdonald

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NATIONAL REGISTER OF 
HISTORIC PLACES AND THE 
MESA HISTORIC PROPERTY 
REGISTER
The National Register of Historic Places 
is the official list of the nation’s historic 
places worthy of preservation. Listing in 
the National Register of Historic Places is an 
honorary recognition and generally places 
no restrictions or obligations on private 
property owners. 
The Mesa Historic Property Register is 
a local program that designates historic 
resources within Mesa. Properties on the 
Mesa Historic Property Register require a 
Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) before 
beginning exterior work on their properties. 
For more information regarding National and 
Local designation, please see Appendix A.
Additions, new construction, rehabilitation work, and/
or proposed changes or alterations to these locally 
designated historic resources will require a COA; 
ordinary maintenance and repair, in-kind replacement, 
and interior work do not require a COA.
COA Review Process
A Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) is a review 
process used to ensure that proposed exterior changes 
to locally designated historic resources are consistent 
with Historic Preservation Design Guidelines. The 
process helps preserve the character-defining features 
and historic integrity of properties, signage, and/or 
districts while allowing for appropriate alterations, 
additions, repairs, and new construction.
Mesa Historic Property Register
The Mesa Historic Property Register is the official record 
of locally designated historic resources in the City 
of Mesa. Some properties may be listed in the Mesa 
Historic Property Register and the National Register of 
Historic Places, while others may only be listed in one 
register. Only those that are listed in the Mesa Historic 
Property Register have a Historic Preservation Overlay 
requiring a COA. Work involving not yet listed historic 
resources should conform with these guidelines, and 
property owners are encouraged to work with the 
Mesa Historic Preservation Office.
CONTRIBUTING AND 
NONCONTRIBUTING HISTORIC 
RESOURCES
Individual properties either contribute or 
do not contribute to a district’s historic 
and architectural significance. Generally, 
contributing resources are buildings, sites, 
and structures 50 years of age or older 
that maintain architectural integrity and 
character. Noncontributing resources are 
typically those that are less than 50 years 
old, or where historic integrity is significantly 
compromised. 
All projects within local historic districts 
are reviewed to ensure that the historic 
character of the district is maintained.
Historic Preservation Overlay
All historic resources with a Historic Preservation Overlay, 
including properties within locally designated historic 
districts and locally designated historic landmark sites, 
are subject to design review by the Mesa Historic 
Preservation Office. All properties within a Historic 
Preservation Overlay are listed on the Mesa Historic 
Property Register.
What is Subject to COA Review?
A COA is required for all exterior work that will result in 
material changes that may alter, diminish, eliminate, or 
affect the historic character of the following:
•	 Resources within a Historic Preservation Overlay
•	 Historically Designated Signs

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Relationship with City Code
To protect the irreplaceable architectural character 
of Mesa’s historic resources, the City Council adopted 
Historic Preservation Overlay and Historically 
Designated Sign procedures found in the Mesa Zoning 
Ordinance.
With the support of stakeholders, these historic 
preservation design guidelines were created to 
supplement the historic preservation procedures 
found in the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, Building Code, 
and other applicable regulations. In instances where 
there are inconsistencies between the City Code and 
these design guidelines, the standards of the Mesa City 
Code will apply.
West 2nd St. Historic District • 100 Block of North Macdonald
Historically Designated Signs
Historic signs may be eligible for inclusion on the Mesa 
Historic Sign Register as a Historically Designated Sign. 
This designation recognizes Mesa's historic character 
through the preservation of its distinct, colorful roadside 
historic signage. 
To be on the Mesa Historic Sign Register, a sign must 
be at least 50 years old and retain an appearance that 
has remained substantially the same as its historically 
significant period.
Upon designation, a Historically Designated Sign needs 
to be maintained, modified, or repaired consistent 
with the Historic Preservation Board’s findings and 
conditions of approval. Modifications to historic signs 
on the Mesa Historic Sign Register require a COA.

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COA Review Procedures
Once the City of Mesa receives a complete COA 
application, the Historic Preservation Office will 
have 10 working days to approve the application, 
request revisions, or deny the application with 
explanation (Fig 2.1). Applicants may appeal COA 
decisions to the Historic Preservation Board.
Examples of Alterations Subject to 
COA Review:
•	 Additions
•	 Awnings or canopies
•	 Carports and garages
•	 Decks
•	 Detached accessory buildings or 
structures
•	 Doors and door frames
•	 Driveways
•	 Exterior walls and fencing
•	 Fire escapes, exterior stairs and 
elevators, and ramps
•	 Parapet walls
•	 Pool and pool cages
•	 Exterior painting of historically 
unpainted surfaces
•	 Porch and balcony railing or 
decorative detailing
•	 Roofs and skylights
•	 Windows and window frames
•	 Siding
•	 Signs
For questions regarding historic preservation 
and COAs, please contact the Mesa Historic 
Preservation Office:
55 N Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201
historicpreservation@mesaaz.gov
480.644.4726
How to Apply for a COA
Prior to submitting a COA application, it is 
recommended that applicants meet with the 
Historic Preservation Office to discuss project 
details. The Historic Preservation Office can assist 
in identifying if your property is within a Historic 
Preservation Overlay or includes a Historically 
Designated Sign, provide guidance for projects to 
meet approval criteria, and support you through 
the COA application process.
Applications may require a project narrative, 
site plan, drawings, photographs, property owner 
authorization, and other information reasonably 
necessary to review the proposed work. COA 
applications can be completed online by 'Creating 
a Planning Application' here.
555 N Robson • Evergreen Historic District

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Figure 2.1 COA Review Process

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The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 
authorized the Secretary of the Interior (through 
the National Park Service) to establish standards for 
preserving historic properties. The current version, 
the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 
Treatment of Historic Properties, was adopted in 2017. 
These standards outline four treatments for historic 
properties: preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, 
and reconstruction. Rehabilitation is the most commonly 
used approach, allowing alterations to meet new uses 
while maintaining the building's historic character. 
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of 
Historic Properties 
REHABILITATION
Act or process of making possible a compatible 
use for a property through repair, alterations, and/
or additions while preserving those portions or 
features which convey its historical, cultural, or 
architectural values.
Local preservation guidelines often follow these 
standards, especially for rehabilitation projects. Property 
owners should consult with the Mesa Historic 
Preservation Office to determine the most appropriate 
treatment for their project.
Standards for Rehabilitation
1.	 A property will be used as it was historically or 
be given a new use that requires minimal change 
to its distinctive materials, features, spaces, and 
spatial relationships. 
2.	 The historic character of a property will 
be retained and preserved. The removal 
of distinctive materials or alteration of 
features, spaces, and spatial relationships that 
characterize a property will be avoided. 
3.	 Each property will be recognized as a physical 
record of its time, place, and use.  Changes that 
create a false sense of historic development, 
such as adding conjectural features or elements 
from other historic properties, will not be 
undertaken. 
4.	 Changes to a property that have acquired 
historic significance in their own right will be 
retained and preserved. 
5.	 Distinctive materials, features, finishes, and 
construction techniques or examples of 
craftsmanship that characterize a property will 
be preserved. 
6.	 Deteriorated historic features will be repaired 
rather than replaced. Where the severity 
of deterioration requires replacement of a 
distinctive feature, the new feature will match 
the old in design, color, texture, and, where 
possible, materials. Replacement of missing 
features will be substantiated by documentary 
and physical evidence. 
PRESERVATION
Ongoing maintenance and repair of historic 
materials and architectural features rather than 
extensive replacement and new construction.
RESTORATION
Reinstatement of a historic building’s original 
appearance and condition to a particular time 
period using documentary evidence, such as 
photographs and construction drawings.
RECONSTRUCTION
New construction that interprets a missing or lost 
historic resource based on documented evidence 
of what was there historically.
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the 
Treatment of Historic Properties — in particular, the 
Standards for Rehabilitation — serves as a base set of 
preservation standards for the City of Mesa’s Historic 
Preservation Design Guidelines.

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Mesa Woman's Club • 200 N Macdonald
7.	 Chemical or physical treatments, if appropriate, 
will be undertaken using the gentlest means 
possible. Treatments that cause damage to 
historic materials will not be used. 
8.	 Archaeological resources will be protected 
and preserved in place. If such resources must 
be disturbed, mitigation measures will be 
undertaken. 
9.	 New additions, exterior alterations, or related 
new construction will not destroy historic 
materials, features, and spatial relationships 
that characterize the property. The new work 
will be differentiated from the old and will be 
compatible with the historic materials, features, 
size, scale, and proportion, and massing to 
protect the integrity of the property and its 
environment. 
The City of Mesa has adopted the historic preservation 
guidelines and standards for properties in Historic 
Preservation Overlays (Chapters 3, 4, and 5) and for 
historic signs (Chapter 6), based on the Secretary of 
the Interior’s guidelines and National Park Service 
Preservation Brief No. 25.
The review standards for a Certificate of Appropriateness 
(COA), based on the Standards for the Treatment of 
Historic Properties, are in Appendix B, while additional 
educational resources can be found in Appendix A.
10.	New additions and adjacent or related new 
construction will be undertaken in such a 
manner that, if removed in the future, the 
essential form and integrity of the historic 
property and its environment would be 
unimpaired.

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CHAPTER 3: 
GUIDELINES FOR 
PRESERVATION, 
RESTORATION & 
REHABILITATION
730 S Edgewater Dr. • Golden Hills

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This chapter outlines general principles and best
practices to assist property owners, architects, 
landscape architects, and contractors as they plan for 
preservation, restoration or rehabilitation projects. 
These principles and guidelines are meant to help 
avoid rehabilitation pitfalls, prioritize essential tasks, 
support Certificate of Appropriateness approvals, and 
achieve desired design results. It is recommended that 
property owners also consult with the Mesa Historic 
Preservation Office to best assess which of these 
treatment options are best suited for their project. 
In addition to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards 
for the Treatment of Historic Properties, preservation, 
restoration, and rehabilitation projects should follow 
the principles outlined below.
Principles for Preservation, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Principle #1: Conduct routine inspections 
and maintenance to ensure long-term 
preservation of buildings and building 
materials.
Property owners should conduct yearly inspections of 
their buildings to determine and prioritize maintenance 
projects, especially projects related to roofs, gutter 
systems, and foundations where water infiltration can 
damage building materials, walls, and other features. 
Proper maintenance and cleaning using the gentlest 
means possible can avoid more costly repairs over 
the long term. Ensure no maintenance project harms, 
damages, or alters historic building materials. 
Principle #2: Preserve original and historic 
materials over replacement.
Preserving original and historic building materials and 
architectural features serves to maintain a historic 
building’s authenticity and character. It also helps to 
reduce demolition and debris waste from entering the 
landfill. Replacement of materials and features should 
only occur upon significant evidence of deterioration 
that compromises structural integrity. Implement in-
kind material replacement first before considering 
appropriate substitutes compatible in size, form, 
profile, texture, and durability. 
Principle #3: Undertake project planning 
and seek professional consultation when 
necessary.
The maintenance and repair of historic building 
materials, such as brick and stucco, and important 
architectural features, including roofs, porches, 
and foundations, often requires the assistance of 
professional contractors and craftspeople. Building 
owners should not hesitate to employ architects and 
other design professionals in the proper planning for 
preservation and rehabilitation efforts. 
Principle #4: Respect changes over time. 
Some building materials and architectural elements 
may not be original to the building but have achieved 
their own significance and value over time. Respect, 
preserve, and rehabilitate those changes or alterations 
if they contribute to a building’s history, character and 
authenticity. 
Principle #5: Recognize all buildings are 
products of their own time. 
Each building is a record of its time, documenting 
the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped 
the development of communities, districts, and 
neighborhoods. Avoid any changes or alterations that 
create a sense of false history. 
144 N Wilbur • Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District 
Original materials and architectural features should be 
preserved to maintain a building's character.

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3.1 Character Defining Features
Character defining features help convey the historic 
and architectural significance of historic properties and 
should be preserved (Fig 3.1). 
3.1.1 - Maintain character defining features
•	Distinctive materials or character-defining 
features should not be removed. 
•	Changes to spaces and spatial relationships that 
characterize a property will be avoided.
•	Maintain character-defining landscaping, 
including but not limited to materials, location 
and size. If significant vegetation is removed, 
replacement may be required. 
•	Do not add features that were not part of the 
historic structure. 
3.1.2 - Repair, rather than replace character-
defining features
•	Where the severity of deterioration requires 
replacement of a distinctive feature, the new 
feature will match the old in design, color, and 
texture. 
•	Use the same material as the historic feature. 
An alternative material may be considered if it 
has a size, shape, texture and finish that conveys 
the visual appearance of the historic feature, or 
is located in a place that is hidden from view.
Figure 3.1 Examples of Character Defining Features
S H U T T E R S
C O V E R E D V E R A N D A S
A T T A C H E D G A R A G E S
P O R C H K N E E W A L L S
R O O F F O R M S
W I N D O W S
E X T E R I O R
M A T E R I A L S
C O L U M N S
D O O R S
Guidelines for Preservation, Restoration & Rehabilitation
Examples of character defining features:
454 E 1st Ave. • Temple Historic District 
The roof form, dormer vent, brick façade, bay window, and 
chimney are character defining features of this house.
855 E 2nd St. • Fraser Fields Historic District 
The roof form, ribbon windows, and exterior materials are 
character defining features of this house.

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3.2 Materials and Finishes
Historic materials should be preserved in place. If the 
material is damaged, repair should first be considered. 
If repair is not feasible, the limited replacement of a 
material that matches the historic material should be 
considered. Historic building materials should never be 
covered or subjected to harsh cleaning treatments.
3.2.1 - Building Material Maintenance
•	Protect historic building materials from 
deterioration.
•	Do not remove historic materials that are in 
good condition.
•	Do not use harsh cleaning methods, which can 
inhibit the function and/or appearance of the 
historic material. 
3.2.2 - Material Repair and Replacement
•	Repair rather than replace original materials 
when possible.
•	Repair deteriorated building materials by 
patching, piecing-in, consolidating, or otherwise 
reinforcing the material.
•	Replace only those materials that are 
deteriorated, and beyond reasonable repair.
•	Replace only the amount of material that is 
beyond repair.
•	Use only replacement materials that are similar 
in scale, finish and character to the historic 
material.
•	Do not replace building materials, such as 
masonry and wood siding, with alternative or 
imitation materials, unless no other option is 
available.
The Dutchman repair method allows for installation of new 
wood while preserving the historic wood.
Adobe, one of the oldest building materials found in Mesa, 
is most commonly seen on Pueblo Revival architecture.
Typical historic masonry materials in Mesa include 
concrete block and brick. Pictured is decorative brick, 
known as raked header bond pattern.
Stucco is a common historic material on many of Mesa's 
residential dwellings.
Regular maintenance of wood siding prevents 
deterioration over time.

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Lehi Brick Kiln Company
Founded by George Mason Tiffany in the 1880s, 
the Lehi Brick Kiln Company met the need for a 
more durable building construction material for 
the fledgling Lehi and Mesa settlements, becoming 
the leading local brick manufacturer by the turn of 
the 20th century.
The Kiln Company’s bricks helped construct 
several of Mesa’s earliest buildings, including many 
commercial buildings along Main Street and the 
still-standing Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day 
Saints (LDS) Temple. 
Since the Company fired the bricks at a low 
temperature, they are generally softer in strength 
and composition and therefore require special 
care in their maintenance, repair, and preservation. 
Avoid using any harsh and abrasive cleaning 
methods, as well as any hard or Portland cement-
based mortar when repointing. 
Superlite Block Company
Manufactured by the Superlite Block Company, the 
Superlite concrete masonry unit (CMU) was used 
in the construction of many homes throughout 
the Phoenix area during the mid-20th century. 
Founded in 1944 as the Builders Supply 
Corporation, the name was officially changed to 
Superlite Block Company around 1960. Superlite 
CMUs, including concrete breeze blocks, are 
a combination of sand, Portland cement, and 
volcanic scoria, mined in Winona, Arizona. 
In addition to its use as a structural and finish 
material, Superlite created decorative blocks, 
popular in the 1950s and 1960s, with see-through 
patterns used in block fence walls, as building 
screens, and as sunscreens near entryways. Many 
Mid-Century Modern and Ranch houses, as well 
as commercial and institutional buildings in Mesa 
feature Superlite CMU construction.
The Sirrine House, located at 160 N Center St. within the West 2nd St Historic District, is constructed of Lehi Brick.

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3.3 Windows
Windows, window openings, and window elements are 
primary architectural features and dominant visual 
features of historic buildings (Fig 3.2). Historic windows 
are representative of a building’s craftsmanship and 
design, making them worthy of preservation.
Historic windows are made primarily of wood or metal 
(aluminum or steel) and come in various configurations 
such as single- or double-hung sash windows, single- or 
multi-light fixed picture windows, casement windows, 
and awning windows (Fig 3.3).
Typcially, windows located on a historic building’s 
facade have more formal window pattern arrangements 
and are generally constructed of more durable, long-
lasting materials and of higher quality than modern 
replacements.
3.3.1 - Window Preservation
•	Retain and preserve all historic wood and steel 
windows, including their size, glazing, opening 
size, and configurations, location, and materials. 
Figure 3.3 Window Types
D O U B L E H U N G
C A S E M E N T
3 L I G H T
2 L I G H T ( V )
6 L I G H T
2 L I G H T ( H )
8 L I G H T
1 L I G H T
Figure 3.2 Common Window Elements
H E A D J A M B
U P P E R S A S H
S T I L E
P A N E
L O W E R S A S H
A P R O N
E X T E R I O R S I L L
M U N T I N
151 N Wilbur • Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District
Avoid removing original or historic windows.
106 N Fraser Dr • Fraser Fields Historic District
This house retains its historic windows.

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Figure 3.4 Appropriate Window Replacement
O R I G I N A L ( 3 / 1 )
I N A P P R O P R I A T E 
R E P L A C E M E N T ( 6 / 6 )
I N A P P R O P R I A T E R E P L A C E M E N T
( A L U M I N U M S L I D E R )
3.3.2 - Window Maintenance and Repair
•	The number, size, and location of windows 
should be preserved. Filling in or covering 
existing windows should be avoided.
•	Preserve all historic window features including 
the frame, sash, muntins, mullions, glazing, sills, 
heads, jambs, moldings, shutters, and window 
pane configurations.
•	Restore altered window openings to their 
historic configuration.
•	Do not alter a window frame to accommodate 
an air conditioner unit on the primary elevation.
•	If necessary, install interior storm windows to 
preserve exterior appearance.
•	When interior storm windows are not feasible, 
exterior storm windows may be appropriate.
3.3.3 - Window Replacement or Reflective Film
•	If window replacement is necessary, new 
windows should match the originals in materials, 
style, configuration, and dimensions (Fig 3.4).
•	When a window is damaged beyond repair, 
modern replacements may be appropriate.
•	Maintain the historic size, shape, and number of 
panes.
•	Match the profile of the sash, muntins, and its 
components to the historic window, including 
the depth of the sash, which may step back to 
the plane of the glass in several increments. 
Historic windows were typically inset (while 
modern windows are flush mount), and this 
is considered a character-defining element of 
historic buildings.
•	The use of interior muntins (window divides 
located between the glass) is not appropriate.
•	The use of vinyl and unfinished metals as 
window replacement materials should be 
avoided.
•	The use of metallic or reflective window glazing 
or film is not appropriate.
•	Reducing or increasing a historic opening to 
accommodate a different sized window is not 
appropriate and should be avoided.
Irving School • 155 N Center St.
Windows maintain historic features, size, shape, and 
number of panes.

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Figure 3.5 Common Door Elements
3.4 Doors and Entries
Doors, door openings, and door surrounds help to 
convey the overall proportion, scale, and character of 
a particular property or architectural style. The design, 
materials, and location of historic doors and entries 
should be preserved. 
3.4.1 - Entrance Maintenance and Repair
•	Maintain and repair original doors rather than 
replace when possible. 
•	Preserve historic and decorative features, 
including door frames, sidelights, sills, heads, 
jambs, moldings, detailing, panels, mullions, etc. 
(Fig 3. 5).
•	Do not alter the historic size and shape of a 
door opening.
T O P R A I L
P A N E L
L O C K R A I L
M U L L I O N
S T I L E
B O T T O M R A I L
M O L D I N G
S I D E L I G H T S
S I L L
F R A M E
3.4.2 - Entrance Replacement
•	When a door is damaged beyond repair, 
replacement doors should match the original in 
dimension, materials, and design. 
•	Do not change the historic location of or add 
new door openings on primary façades. 
•	Do not fill in or cover historic door openings.
3.5 Porches
A porch is one of the most important character-
defining features of a façade. A porch provides visual 
interest to a building and shelter from the elements. 
Additionally, porches help define building scale and 
establish a social hierarchy of space from the street to 
the interior of a house.
3.5.1 - Preserve Original Porches
•	Do not remove an original porch from a 
building.
•	Porches should be preserved in their original 
character and form. 
•	Preserve the existing height, location, shape, 
details, and posts.
•	Replace missing features and repair damaged 
features to match existing historic features.
560 N Emerson
The sidelight adjacent to the door is a significant 
architectural feature and should be preserved.
146 N Fraser • Fraser Fields District
Original and historic doors help to convey the style of 
the house, like in this mid-century example.

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3.5.2 - Porch Replacement
•	When porch reconstruction or replacement 
is necessary, it should be similar in character, 
design, scale, and materials to those traditionally 
seen in the building's architectural style.
•	Design a replacement porch to be appropriate 
in relation to the overall scale and architectural 
style of the primary structure based on historic 
photographic evidence or other documentation 
(Fig 3.7).
•	Porches should not be added to a primary 
façade based on conjecture or if one was not 
historically present. 
Figure 3.6 Common Porch Elements
P O R C H R O O F
B A L U S T E R
T O P R A I L
P O S T / C O L U M N
D R O P B E A M
Figure 3.7 Porch Scale and Form
•	Maintain the overall composition when replacing 
damaged or missing porch elements (Fig 3.6).
•	Do not add ornamentation or decoration to a 
porch if it was not historically present or if the 
element is inconsistent with the style of the 
building.
Porches should be compatible in size and scale with the 
primary structure.
Examples of historic porches throughout Mesa:
124 W 1st St. • West 2nd Street Historic District 
205 S Mesa Dr. • Temple Historic District 
236 N Robson • Robson Historic District 
234 N Fraser Dr. • Fraser Fields Historic District

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Figure 3.9 Common Roof Elements
E A V E
H I P P E D E N D
D O R M E R
R I D G E / R O O F L I N E
S O F F I T
F L A T R O O F
G A B L E
R O O F H I P
3.6 Historic Roofs
The roof is among the most visually prominent 
features of a house and helps to define its architectural 
character. The great variety of roof shapes, forms, and 
materials found in Mesa, along with elements such as 
chimneys, turrets, crestings, and dormers, gives the 
City's historic districts and neighborhoods great visual 
interest (Fig 3.8).
3.6.1 - Roof Repair and Replacement
•	Preserve the form, materials, and features of an 
original historic roof.
•	Maintain the ridge line and orientation of the 
roof as seen from the street.
•	Maintain existing roof overhangs because they 
contribute to the building’s historic character 
and scale.
•	Avoid altering the angle (pitch/slope) of a 
historic roof.
•	Do not cut back or alter exposed roof rafters 
and soffits that contribute to the building’s 
historic character and scale.
•	Preserve functional and decorative roof 
features, including original dormers, chimneys 
and eaves, especially when they are character-
defining elements of the structure (Fig 3.9).
C H I M N E Y
549 N Robson • Evergreen District
The prominent stone chimney is a significant 
architectural feature on this house.
2230 E Grandview St. • Robert Scott House
The hipped roof with deep eaves is an important visual 
element of this historic home. 
460 N Grand • Evergreen District
This example retains its historic tile roof.

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G A B L E F R O N T
C R O S S G A B L E
S A L T B O X
G A B L E A N D E L L
S I D E G A B L E
C R O S S H I P
F L A T R O O F W I T H P A R A P E T
S H E D
H I P R O O F
H I P / P Y R A M I D A L
H I P / P Y R A M I D A L
D U T C H G A B L E
Figure 3.8 Roof Forms

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3.9 Painting Historic Buildings
Historically, wood surfaces on the exterior of a building 
were painted to protect them from weathering. 
Concrete and stucco surfaces were sometimes painted 
as well. Some paints or sealers advertised as water-
repellent, waterproof, or maintenance-free can 
damage historic houses by trapping moisture inside 
the walls. These products should not be applied to 
historic building materials.
•	Painting unpainted brick is not permitted 
without a COA, as doing so can cause damage 
by trapping moisture inside the brick and lead to 
severe structural deterioration. 
•	The natural color and texture of masonry are 
character-defining features which would be 
covered by paint. 
•	Previously painted masonry and all non-masonry 
surfaces can be painted without a COA.
3.7 Exposed Foundations
A historic building foundation contributes to the 
character of a historic structure and should be preserved. 
Altering or replacing historic foundations is discouraged. 
However, it may be necessary to replace historic 
foundation walls with compatible materials where a 
historic foundation is deteriorated beyond repair.
3.7.1 - Foundation Repair and Replacement
•	Repair and rehabilitate exposed foundations 
in order to maintain a building’s structural 
integrity.
•	Re-point historic masonry foundations to match 
the historic design. Use historically sensitive 
and compatible mortar on brick foundations 
(and/or facades) or concrete mortar on brick 
foundations (or facades). Avoid hard masonry 
cements or concrete. 
•	Design landscaping and other site features to 
keep water from collecting near the foundation.
•	Do not cover a historic foundation with newer 
siding material.
•	Avoid installing windows, window wells or an 
access door on the front facade of a historic 
foundation.
•	Replace a foundation using new material that is 
similar in character to the historic foundation. 
3.8 Carports and Garages
3.8.1 - Carport and Garage Preservation
•	Preserve and maintain historic carport and 
garage elements and architectural features, 
including garage doors, walls and wall materials, 
piers, posts, detailing and ornamentation, soffit 
or fascia vents, and roof and roof shape.
3.8.2 - Carport and Garage Repair and 
Replacement
•	Replace garage and access doors with ones that 
are appropriate to the style of the house and 
with similar in-kind materials.
541 N Grand • Evergreen District
The foundation wall shown here uses different 
materials to visually distinguish it from the main wall.
437 N Macdonald • Evergreen District
Carports, like the one shown here, are common 
architectural features in Mesa's historic districts.

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3.10 Landscaping and Fences
Landscape design elements incorporate both the 
public and private realms in historic districts and 
sites, including large mature trees, tree-lined streets 
and medians, street lighting, sidewalks, paths, 
driveways, front lawns, gardens and plantings, fences, 
and other yard features. Landscape preservation 
and rehabilitation serve to maintain and enhance 
the character and authenticity of Mesa's historic 
neighborhoods and districts.
3.10.1 - Landscape Maintenance and 
Replacement
•	Maintain and preserve existing character-
defining landscape elements, including mature 
trees, whenever possible.
•	New landscaping should be installed to 
complement the existing character of the house. 
•	Do not replace front lawns with impervious 
hardscape materials. 
•	Installation of artificial turf in areas visible from 
the street should be avoided.
•	Use native or desert plants and xeriscaping 
techniques where appropriate to reduce the 
need for irrigation. Select plant materials with 
character, growth, and habitat requirements 
similar to others found in the neighborhood. 
3.10.2 - Fence and Wall Maintenance and Repair
•	Maintain original or historic walls, specifically 
those constructed of decorative concrete 
masonry units or from breeze block. 
•	Replace damaged elements with in-kind 
materials.
Historic fences and walls, like these examples above, 
should be maintained and repaired.
100 block of N Robson • West 2nd Street Historic District
This tree-lined median is a significant character-defining feature of the West 2nd Street Historic District.

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CHAPTER 4: 
GUIDELINES FOR 
ADDITIONS
416 E 1st Ave • Temple Historic District

D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S - C H A P T E R 4
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Design guidelines require interpretation and good 
judgment to ensure that the proposed project is 
compatible with the context area. Each project is 
considered on its own merits; even if the same addition 
were proposed for similar properties within the historic 
district, differences in the existing structures and the 
context areas for those various locations could result 
in different decisions regarding compatibility. 
Because contributing structures are the most 
important buildings in the historic district, they must 
remain prominent. That means that an addition should 
be visually subordinate, or secondary, to the original 
contributing building. This can be achieved by limiting 
the addition’s size, visibility from the street, and the 
complexity of its design. Additions to noncontributing 
structures are also required to be compatible with the 
scale and proportion of the contributing buildings in 
the context area. This applies to the building overall, as 
well as to individual building elements.
Principles for Additions
Additions in historic districts should be designed 
carefully with the following considerations in mind:
Principle #1: Ensure the integrity of existing 
historic buildings when considering new 
additions.
Any new addition must respect and be harmonious 
with a historic building’s materials, features, size, scale, 
proportion, and siting to preserve and maintain its 
historic and architectural integrity. New additions shall 
not destroy historic building materials that characterize 
the historic property. 
The use of complementary, but different, materials is 
the preferred way to visually contrast additions from 
original construction. New additions must differentiate 
from the historic building so that the building’s 
architectural change and evolution over time is visible.
Principle #2: Promote new addition design 
reflective of its time. 
Additions should be of their time and not project 
a sense of false history with replicated features 
and ornamentation of past historic architectural 
styles. Instead, historic styles may inspire or provide 
identifiable design cues for additions. 
Principle #3: Use contemporary materials 
and design creativity for additions. 
When designing additions, use contemporary building 
materials and architectural detailing in creative 
ways that convey the dwelling or building is of new 
construction. This construction may incorporate 
abstract references to the architectural styles and 
building types that are compatible within its immediate 
setting or neighborhood. 
Principle #4: Design additions without 
damaging historic materials.
Design and undertake any additions to historic buildings 
in historic districts in a manner that, if removed in the 
future, would not impact or affect historic building 
materials, the integrity of historic buildings, or the 
surrounding site or neighborhood.
In addition to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards 
for the Treatment of Historic Properties, property 
owners and design professionals should follow the 
general principles outlined below.
•	Size - the dimensions of a building or 
structure
•	Scale - the proportional relationship 
between the size of the building and its 
different elements
•	Massing - the overall shape and form of 
the building
•	Fenestration - the placement, style, and 
materials of windows and doors
•	Rhythm - the relationship of solids 
and voids, fenestration, recesses, and 
projections
•	Siting - addition should be setback from 
the facade or located at the rear of the 
existing building
•	Materials - the materials do not have to 
match but should be compatible
•	Context - the overall relationship of the 
building and project to its surroundings

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4.1 Addition Placement
For many properties, an addition to the rear or side 
of the historic building is the best approach to gain 
additional living area. A compatible addition allows the 
general appearance and character defining features 
of the historic building to be retained and preserved, 
especially when viewed from key public vantage points.
4.1.1 - Location of an Addition
•	The addition should be subordinate to the 
original structure.
•	Additions should have minimal visual impact to 
the existing structure. 
•	An addition should be the same height or lower 
than the existing structure whenever possible.
•	Place an addition to the rear or below grade of 
the original structure whenever possible.
•	Consider a compatible side addition if a rear 
addition is not possible (Fig 4.1).
4.1.2 - Building Footprint and Lot Consistency
•	The footprint of the addition should be 
compatible with the size of the lot, yard, and 
setback characteristics of the neighborhood. 
•	The location of the addition should be 
compatible with the character of neighboring 
properties. 
•	Retain original open space at the front and sides 
of the existing structure.
•	Avoid the excessive loss of existing open space.
4.1.3 - Addition of Second Story
•	Second-story additions should only be 
considered in districts where homes were 
originally constructed with two stories.
•	When appropriate, two-story additions 
proposed to a one-story structure should be set 
back and located behind the original existing 
historic structure.
•	Second-story additions should not result in the 
removal of historic material or character 
defining features.
•	Second-story additions are generally not 
appropriate for most historic homes as they 
adversely impact the historic architectural 
integrity, character, and massing of the 
structure and district.
P R O P E R T Y L I N E
S I D E A D D I T I O N
S T R E E T
S E T B A C K
S T R E E T
R E A R A D D I T I O N
P R O P E R T Y L I N E
Figure 4.1: Side and Rear Residential Additions 
S E T B A C K
Guidelines for Additions

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4.2 Design of an Addition
Additions should be designed to be compatible with 
the context of the historic neighborhood. Projects 
should consider how the new addition will impact the 
integrity of the existing historic building and district. 
In addition to contextual compatibility, the addition 
must differentiate in some way from the historic 
building to appropriately convey change and evolution 
over time. This visually communicates that the new 
addition is separate from the historic building while 
appearing both compatibile in scale and true to its age. 
4.2.1 - Contextual Design
•	Additions should be recognized as new 
construction, while respecting key features 
of the historic structure and architectural 
characteristics of the surrounding block and 
neighborhood. 
•	An addition should not project a sense of false 
history with replicative ornamentation; details 
on additions should be reflective of existing 
historic characteristics but remain simplified. 
•	Additions may include characteristic features 
that are common to the surrounding structures 
and neighborhood block.
136 W 2nd St. • West 2nd Street Historic District
Example of a historic one-story house with an early 
second floor addition.
48 N Robson
Side addition and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) shown 
on the right of this 1.5-story Craftsman.
416 E 1st Ave. • Temple Historic District
The new addition, shown here on the left, respects the historic building's materials, size, scale, and proportion.

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•	Massing and scale of the addition should be 
compatible with surrounding historic structures 
within the district.
•	At a minimum, a design should be neutral and 
not detract from the original character, features, 
scale, and context of the historic structure.
4.2.2 - Differentiation
•	Differentiate the new addition from the historic 
house by insetting the addition from the main 
wall plane of the historic building. 
•	Provide a change, even if subtle, in building 
materials so the addition is visually distinct from 
the historic home. 
•	Install trim or other architectural detailing to 
clearly delineate a distinction between the 
historic building and addition. 
•	Use a simplified interpretation of historic 
designs found in the neighborhood or use a 
contemporary design that is compatible with 
historic siting, massing, and building forms 
found in the neighborhood.
4.2.3 - Architectural Style of Additions
•	Design new additions to respect the historic 
house’s architectural style and character-
defining features.
•	Design additions to be compatible with the 
scale, massing, and rhythm of the historic 
building. Additions should be subordinate to the 
original building.
•	Do not mimic the historic features, but use 
more contemporary details, such as window 
moldings and door surrounds, to create 
interest and convey that the addition is modern 
construction. 
4.2.4 - Addition Roofing
•	The roof of an addition may be the same or be 
distinguished from the original by an overall 
lower ridge height or a varied roof pitch.
•	New roofing material may be the same as 
existing or be compatible in appearance.
4.2.5 - Dormer Design
•	New dormers should not be constructed on the 
front elevation.
•	Dormer height should not extend above the 
existing ridge line (Fig 4.2). 
•	Locate new dormers to the rear and/or the side 
(set back from the facade). 
1123 W 2nd Pl
Differentiate additions through a setback or change in 
height as seen above.
159 N Macdonald • West 2nd Street Historic District
Differentiate additions through a setback or change in 
height as seen above.
Figure 4.2: New Dormer

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4.2.6 - Porch Addition
•	New porches should be secondary and 
subordinate to a historic house’s main and side 
elevations in terms of scale and proportions. 
New porches should not be constructed on the 
front without substantiation of prior existence. 
•	A missing porch should be reconstructed 
based on documentation if available, and be in 
keeping with the house’s architectural style.
•	A new porch must be appropriate to the 
architectural style and building type of the 
historic home. 
4.2.7 - Carport or Garage Addition
•	Design and construct new carport and garage 
additions using compatible materials as found 
on the primary house or homes within the 
neighborhood. 
•	Do not extend carports beyond the front plane 
of the house or into the uniform setback of the 
neighborhood.
•	New carports should reflect the general roof 
shape of the home and conform to the uniform 
setback of the neighborhood.
4.3 Other Items
4.3.1 - Fences and Walls
•	New fences and walls should complement the 
historic building’s architectural style and the 
neighborhood’s overall historic character.
809 W Main St. • Alma Ward Meeting House
Use materials in new fencing and fence gates that are 
compatible with the historic property.
8 0 9 W M a i n S t . U s e m a t e r i a l s i n n e w f e n c e s a n d f e n c e 
g a t e s t h a t a r e c o m p a t i b l e w i t h t h e p r o p e r t y
228 W 9th Pl. N
A change in wall plane identifies the garage as an addition.

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•	Use materials such as wood, brick, metal, or, in 
some cases, concrete masonry units that are 
compatible with the materials and scale of the 
property and surrounding neighborhood. 
•	Use high-quality and long-lasting materials and 
avoid vinyl or plastic fencing. 
•	Front yard fences should be limited to 3½ feet in 
height and should not obscure the view of the 
historic structure.
4.3.2 - Mechanical Equipment
•	Place mechanical equipment where it is not 
visible from the street or public right-of-way. 
•	Place rooftop mechanical equipment on the rear 
roof sloped away from the street and public 
right-of-way. 
•	Mechanical equipment, whether on a roof, the 
side of a building, or on the ground, should be 
screened from public view. 
•	If mechanical equipment cannot be placed in 
a suitable location, use appropriate screening 
techniques like privacy fencing, walls, or 
vegetation, ensuring screening materials are 
compatible with the primary house and historic 
district. 
•	Equipment enclosures should be painted the 
same color as predominantly found on the 
house.
4.3.3 - Solar Panels
•	Minimize visual impacts by locating solar panels 
back from the front facade on the primary 
building. 
•	Avoid placing solar panels in locations that 
obscure characteristic architectural features and 
details or change the overall character of the 
dwelling or building.
•	Install solar panels on additions or detached 
outbuildings when possible.
•	Locate solar panels where they will not damage 
significant features or materials and install 
panels in such a way that they can be removed 
in the future.
55 N Meadow Lane • West Side-Clark Addition
Locate mechanical equipment on a rear roof slope away 
from the street.
20 S Macdonald
Mechanical equipment placed on the 1-story rear 
addition is not visible from the street.
206 N Lebaron • Robson Historic District
The Read House, the oldest in the Robson Historic 
District, has mechanical equipment housed in the rear of 
the building, and not visible from the street.

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CHAPTER 5: 
GUIDELINES 
FOR NEW 
CONSTRUCTION
132 N Wilbur • Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District

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Principles for New Construction
•	Size - the dimensions of a building or 
structure
•	Scale - the proportional relationship 
between the size of the building and its 
different elements
•	Massing - the overall shape and form of 
the building
•	Fenestration - the placement, style, and 
materials of windows and doors
•	Rhythm - the relationship of solids 
and voids, fenestration, recesses, and 
projections
•	Setback- how far a building, structure, or 
element is placed from a road, sidewalk, or 
property line
•	Materials - the new materials do not have 
to match but should be compatible with 
the building's context 
•	Context - the overall relationship of the 
building and project to its surroundings
New construction in a historic district means an entirely 
new building or structure, rather than an addition. The 
construction of any new building or structure within a 
historic district requires a Certificate of Appropriateness.
These guidelines for new construction are not aimed at 
preventing change, dictating a particular architectural 
style, or an exact historic duplication. Rather, the 
guidelines aim to ensure that new buildings achieve 
compatibility with existing historic buildings that define 
the character of the historic district in which it is located.
New construction in a historic district should be “of its 
own time.” The design should not mimic existing historic 
buildings and, with focus on overall design elements, 
can be compatible with the historic district even when 
more contemporary in design and construction.
In addition to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for 
the Treatment of Historic Properties, property owners 
and design professionals should follow the general 
principles outlined below.
Principle #1: Ensure the integrity of the 
historic district buildings when considering 
new construction.
In order to preserve and maintain the historic and 
architectural integrity of the district, the materials, 
features, size, scale, proportion, and siting of any 
new buildings must respect and be harmonious with 
other structures within the historic district. The use 
of complementary, but differentiated, materials is the 
preferred way to visually differentiate new construction 
from original construction. 
Principle #2: Promote new construction 
design reflective of its time. 
New construction should be of its time and not project 
a sense of false history with the exact replication 
of features and ornamentation of past historic 
architectural styles. Instead, historic styles may inspire 
or provide identifiable design cues for additions and new 
construction within historic districts and landmarks. 
Principle #3: Use contemporary materials 
and design creativity for new construction.
When designing new infill construction, use contemporary 
building materials and architectural detailing in creative 
ways that convey the building or structure is of new 
construction. New construction may incorporate 
abstract references to the architectural styles and 
property type that are also compatible within its 
immediate setting or neighborhood.
Principle #4: Design new construction 
without damaging surrounding site or 
neighborhood.
Design and undertake new construction in historic 
districts in a manner that if removed in the future 
would not impact or affect the integrity of the 
surrounding site or neighborhood.
New construction in historic districts should 
be designed carefully to respect the existing 
patterns and context of its district with the 
following considerations in mind:

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Figure 5.1 Building and Entrance Orientation
Guidelines for New Construction
5.1 New Construction Design 
5.1.1 - Building Height
•	New residential buildings should be designed 
with heights and massing compatible with 
historic buildings in the district. 
•	Design a new building to be within the height 
range of the lowest and tallest heights of the 
buildings in the surrounding historic district. 
•	When a new building must exceed the height 
of adjacent homes by one story or less, use wall 
articulation or setbacks in massing to provide an 
appropriate transition. 
5.1.2 - Building Scale
•	Locate and proportion building features to 
reference similar features on historic buildings. 
For example, match window, porch and door to 
those on nearby historic buildings. 
5.1.3 - Building and Entrance Orientation
•	Orient a new building to be compatible with 
historic buildings found in the block and 
neighborhood (Fig 5.1).
•	Main entrances should be placed according to 
the orientation of other historic buildings within 
the historic district. 
•	In traditional residential neighborhoods, main 
entrances are often oriented to the primary street. 
5.1.4 - Materials
•	New residential dwellings should utilize 
construction materials consistent with adjacent 
homes and those found in the historic district. 
•	Use materials that are similar in scale, proportion, 
texture, and finish to existing historic structures 
within the district. 
•	Variation in material type, color and texture is 
encouraged for new construction as long as the 
materials are complementary or compatible with 
those of adjacent homes.
•	Contemporary high-quality materials such as 
fiber cement board or simulated stone veneer 
may be appropriate in some locations if they are 
visually similar to materials found in adjacent 
homes.
•	A new residential building should use roofing 
materials, roof lines and roof profiles compatible 
in design and appearance with adjacent homes.  
5.1.5 - Doors and Windows
•	Windows and doors are important character 
defining features of historic and new buildings. 
They provide a sense of scale and visual interest 
to the composition of a facade. These elements 
should be designed to be compatible with the 
surrounding context and their materials should 
be durable.

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132 N Wilbur • Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District
New construction, shown on the left, is compatible in 
scale.
727 N Grand • Evergreen Historic District
The design of a new building, as shown here, should be 
compatible with surrounding buildings on the block.
5.2 Accessory Dwelling Units and Other 
Detached Buildings or Structures
5.2.1 - Location
•	Detached buildings and Accessory Dwelling Units 
(ADUs) should be located at or near the rear of 
the property, generally out of view from the 
right-of-way.
•	If attaching an ADU to the rear of the main house, 
do not remove or destroy original or historic 
architectural features and materials.
5.2.2 - Scale
•	Detached garages, accessory buildings and ADUs 
should be subordinate to the primary historic 
building in terms of scale, massing, and character. 
•	Design the mass, form, and roof shape of a new 
accessory building and/or ADUs to be compatible 
with the primary building and surrounding 
historic context. 
5.2.3 - Design
•	New accessory buildings and ADUs should 
use materials that are compatible in scale, 
proportion, texture, and finish to materials of the 
primary building and the surrounding buildings 
within the historic district.
•	Use simplified versions of the primary building’s 
features or other complementary details found 
in the surrounding historic district rather than 
duplicating exactly.
5.1.7 - Door and Window Proportions
•	Install doors, trim, windows, and any 
architectural detailing at the same proportion 
as those on the existing building within adjacent 
homes.
5.1.8 - Door and Window Design
•	Install windows, doors, and other features to be 
compatible with the historic context. 
•	Use simplified configurations of historic doors 
rather than replicating a particular historic door 
exactly. 
•	Maintain a similar solid-to-void ratio between 
window/door openings and solid wall surfaces on 
walls that will be visible from the street.
•	Select windows and doors that are similar in scale 
and proportion to those in the context area. 
Other sizes and shapes may also be acceptable. 
5.1.9 - Porch Design
•	Keep the scale, proportion, and character of 
the new porch compatible with the historic 
structures within the district. 
•	If houses within the district predominantly 
feature front porches, any new construction 
should also feature a functional front porch.
•	Use materials that are similar in scale, proportion, 
texture, and finish to existing porches within the 
district.

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131 N Pasadena • Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District
The design and placement of an ADU should be 
compatible with, and subordinate to, the main dwelling.
5.3 Other Items
5.3.1 - Fences and Walls
•	New fences and walls should complement the 
historic building’s architectural style and the 
neighborhood’s overall historic character.
•	Use materials such as wood, brick, wrought iron 
or, in some cases, concrete masonry units that 
are compatible with the materials and scale of 
the property and surrounding neighborhood. 
•	Use high-quality and long-lasting materials and 
avoid vinyl or plastic fencing. 
•	Front yard fences should be limited to 3½ feet in 
height and should not obscure the view of the 
historic structure.
Figure 5.2: Solar Panel Placement
S O L A R P A N E L S P L A C E D O N 
T H E B A C K S I D E O F T H E H O M E
F R O N T YA R D
5.3.2 - Mechanical Equipment
•	Place mechanical equipment where it is not visible 
from the street or public right-of-way. 
•	Place rooftop mechanical equipment on the rear 
roof sloped away from the street and right-of-way. 
•	Mechanical equipment, whether on a roof, the 
side of a building, or on the ground, should be 
screened from public view.
•	If mechanical equipment cannot be placed in 
a suitable location, use appropriate screening 
techniques like privacy fencing, walls, or vegetation, 
ensuring screening materials are compatible with 
the primary house and historic district. 
•	Equipment enclosures should be painted the same 
color as predominantly found on the house.
5.3.3 - Solar Panels
•	Minimize visual impacts by locating solar panels 
back from the front facade on the primary building. 
•	Avoid placing solar panels in locations that obscure 
characteristic architectural features and details 
or change the overall character of the dwelling or 
building.
•	Install solar panels on additions or detached 
buildings when possible.
•	Locate solar panels where they will not damage 
significant features or materials and install panels 
in a way that they can be removed in the future.
Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District
New concrete wall with breezeblock is compatible with 
the historic wall behind it.

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Diving Lady • Starlite Motel
CHAPTER 6: 
GUIDELINES 
FOR HISTORIC 
SIGNAGE

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Following the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for 
the Treatment of Historic Properties, these guidelines 
emphasize identifying, retaining, and preserving 
historic signs through routine inspection and 
maintenance, extending their lifespans, and avoiding 
future replacement. In addition, recommendations for 
installing new signs compatible with the character of 
historic buildings and streetscapes in Mesa are provided. 
Although these guidelines provide information to 
property owners, design professionals, and other 
decision-makers, they do not intend to substitute 
consultation with qualified historic sign experts 
and fabricators, design professionals, preservation 
architects, landscape architects, and/or contractors 
when planning and executing a rehabilitation project. 
Historically Designated Signs on the Mesa Historic 
Sign Register need to be maintained and/or repaired 
consistent with the Historic Preservation Board's findings 
and conditions of approval, and modifications are subject 
to the COA review process. A benefit of being listed 
on the Mesa Historic Sign Register is that the historic 
signage does not count toward the total allowable sign 
area for the property on which it is located. 
In addition to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for 
the Treatment of Historic Properties, property owners 
and design professionals should follow these principles 
in the maintenance and preservation of historic signs, as 
well as the design and installation of new signage.
Historic Signage Preservation and Principles
Historic Buckhorn Baths Motel Entry Signage
Principle #1: Design signage compatible 
with historic building and streetscape 
character.
Signage is an important component of a historic 
commercial building. Collectively, in a downtown 
environment, historic signs convey a sense of 
place, heritage and authenticity. New signs that are 
compatible with a commercial area’s architecture and 
building period also improve overall streetscape design 
and character and contribute to a visually appealing 
pedestrian environment.
Principle #2: Preserve historic neon signs.
Beginning in the 1920s and extending through the 
1950s, neon signs made a unique contribution 
to the character of Art Deco and Mid-Century 
commercial architecture in Mesa. Many businesses, 
including restaurants and diners, downtown retail 
establishments, and motels, utilized neon signs as 
advertising, and often incorporated such signs as part 
of the building’s architectural design.
Maintaining and preserving neon signs in place, or 
protecting and storing them for future reuse, will 
ensure that these significant building and streetscape 
elements remain a part of Mesa’s historic commercial 
landscape.
Principle #3: Preserve historic signs.
Beyond neon, typical historic sign types include 
painted wall signs, projecting blade signs, hanging 
signs, marquee signs, window lettering, awnings, 
roof signs, freestanding signs, and monument signs. 
Retention, repair, and rehabilitation is encouraged 
over replacement whenever feasible. Existing historic 
signs should be maintained in place and protected 
from removal or alteration that would diminish their 
historic character or obscure significant architectural 
features.
When adaptive reuse or code compliance requires 
modifications, alterations should be minimally invasive, 
reversible where possible, and compatible with the 
historic materials, scale, proportions, and design of the 
existing resource.

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Guidelines for Historic Signage
6.1 About Historic Signs
Traditionally, most historic commercial buildings included 
one or more signs, sometimes applied to a storefront 
window, painted on a side elevation, placed on the wall 
surface above the storefront, or installed as a free-
standing sign on the lot. Historic signs come in a variety 
of shapes, sizes, and materials, including wood, metal, 
masonry, and neon. Historic signs contribute to the 
historic character of older commercial properties and 
districts. Mesa's Historically Designated Signs must be 
50 years or older, and retain an appearance that has 
remained substantially the same as its historically 
significant period.
6.2 Signage Types
Mesa’s traditional commercial districts and historic 
neighborhoods contain a variety of signage types. The 
type of sign found on a historic commercial building, 
including its scale, materials, color, and location, plays 
an important role in reinforcing the character of the 
building and surrounding streetscape.
6.2.1 - Awning and Canopy Signs
Awnings and canopies are common features of historic 
commercial buildings used to provide shade over 
storefront windows and door openings. They also 
contribute to a building’s overall visual interest and 
design. Awnings come in either fixed or retractable 
formats, slope away from the storefront, and are made 
of fabric materials.
Historically, most awnings were retractable. Canopies 
are typically one-story, fixed roofs constructed in metal 
and projecting over the storefront. In some cases, posts 
may support the canopy. The awning and canopy edge 
are common locations for signage.
6.2.2 - Wall-Mounted Signs
Wall-mounted signs are ideal for retail and other 
businesses in high-traffic traditional commercial areas; 
this type of signage is easily visible for pedestrians and 
those traveling by car or transit. Wall-mounted signs 
attach to a building façade facing the street, often in a 
sign band just above the storefront.
Passey Bond Insurance • 28 N Center St.
This sign exhibits mid-20th century design elements.
Milano Music Center • 38 W Main St.
An example of a wall-mounted sign in Downtown Mesa.

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6.2.3 - Projecting Signs
Projecting signs, sometimes called blade signs, are 
perpendicular to the building façade, attached by 
poles, and mounted just above the storefront. Such 
signs feature wood, metal, and neon materials. Retain 
and preserve existing historic wall or projecting signs 
wherever feasible. Encourage the design and installation 
of such sign types to help enhance the streetscape 
environment, as well as the image and brands of local 
businesses.
6.2.4 - Ghost Signs
Particular consideration should be given to the 
preservation of “ghost signs,” which are faded or 
partially obscured historic painted advertisements or 
business signs that remain visible on exterior building 
walls. Ghost signs are significant as surviving historic 
artifacts that document earlier commercial activity, 
community development patterns, and historic graphic 
design practices. Preservation treatments for ghost 
signs should emphasize stabilization and conservation 
of remaining historic paint surfaces rather than over-
restoration or complete repainting, in order to retain 
the aged character and authenticity of the feature. 
Example of projecting historic signage at 28 S Macdonald. 
(Note: Lambs Shoe Repair sign was restored by Casa 
Copal in 2025)
Cummins, Kellis & Petrie Insurance Hand Painted Sign
Sunkist Building Warehouse
F.P. Nielson & Sons Grain Silos Sign
Examples of ghost signs in Mesa:

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6.2.5 - Window Signs
Window signs are attached or incorporated into 
commercial storefront windows or doors, and typically 
identify the business at the storefront level. Window 
signs often feature business logos and symbols, text, or 
some combination thereof to communicate information 
about a business and its services. Traditional window 
signs applied individual lettering to the interior or 
exterior glazing. Retaining and preserving historic 
window signs where they exist assist in communicating 
the building’s or business’s history. New window signs 
should be simple in design, cover a limited area to avoid 
visual clutter, and allow visibility into the storefront.
6.2.5 - Free-Standing Signs
While most historic commercial buildings found in 
traditional pedestrian-oriented downtown districts 
feature building-mounted signage, free-standing signs 
are common for commercial buildings and districts 
developed in the advent of the automobile. These 
auto-centric signs were a common feature of roadside 
architecture in the early 20th century and thereafter, 
most often found at motels, restaurants, and gas stations. 
Free-standing signs may include signs projecting from 
poles or other structures, as well as those attached 
between posts. In Mesa, it is important to preserve 
these signage types that convey the city's significant 
automobile and tourism history. 
6.3 Guidelines for Preservation, 
Rehabilitation, and Design
6.3.1 - Historic Sign Preservation and 
Maintenance
Maintain and preserve historic signs, including ghost 
signs, window signs, wall-mounted, projecting signs, 
neon signs, and others that contribute to the historic 
and architectural character of Downtown Mesa and 
other districts and neighborhoods.
•	Retain and repair historic signs, parts, and 
structures using like or in-kind materials.
•	Do not repaint or paint over ghost signs to 'restore' 
them; if a ghost sign is deteriorating rapidly, 
consult with a historic sign expert and explore 
using a clear coat or sealant to preserve it. 
•	Illuminate historic wall-mounted and projecting 
signs using gooseneck or other lighting 
appropriate to the sign, storefront, and building. 
•	Reuse existing historic signage by restoring 
and retrofitting existing materials for updated 
messaging. 
•	Retain and carefully store historic signs which 
cannot remain in place for future use. 
6.3.2 - New Signage Design
In general, create a signage plan for a historic 
commercial building based on any documentation and 
photographs of past signage types. Alternatively, base 
the signage plan on recommended placement, type of 
signage desired, and other recommendations made in 
this section. 
•	New signage design must respect the building’s 
architectural character, scale, proportions, 
storefront arrangement and openings, and the 
overall visual environment of the streetscape. 
•	Signs should identify the business tenant(s) using 
high quality graphics and materials.
The Hambone Sports Bar & Grill, an example of a historic 
neon free-standing sign.

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136 W 8th Pl • Flying Acres Historic District
CHAPTER 7: 
MESA'S HISTORIC 
& ARCHITECTURAL 
CONTEXT

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Mesa's Historic Context
Aerial view of downtown Mesa c. 1973. (Pub. Petley Studios)
Aerial view c. 1968 of Mesa Community College with Southern 
Ave running through center. (Mesa Community College)
Early irrigation canal (Pub. Everybody's Drug Co.)
Understanding the significance of Mesa's historic 
buildings and neighborhoods requires placing them 
within the broader story of the community's 
evolution over time. Mesa's built environment reflects 
thousands of years of Native American occupation, the 
establishment of a permanent settlement by members 
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) 
in 1877-8, the growth of a prosperous agricultural 
community, and the city's transformation into a rapidly 
expanding suburban and urban center following World 
War II. Each period contributed distinct patterns of 
development that continue to shape Mesa's historic 
character today.
Ancestral O'Odham Communities
The lands that comprise present-day Mesa are 
culturally affiliated with the O'odham, Piipaash, and 
their ancestors. Ancestors of these Native American 
communities were the first people to live in the area 
now called Mesa. They flourished in these lands for 
millennia and their direct descendants, the O’odham 
people, remain here today. 
Between approximately 300 and 1450 CE, a complex 
farming society developed throughout the Salt River 
Valley, with large settlements, such as Sce:dagĭ Mu:val 
Va’aki, and an extensive network of sophisticated 
irrigation canals. Ancestral O'odham communities 
produced elaborate material culture including pottery, 
basketry, stone tools, and shell jewelry, and featured 
villages with earthen architecture and agricultural 
systems carefully adapted to the Sonoran Desert. 
These traditions of settlement, water management, 
and landscape stewardship established patterns that 
later influenced the location and development of 
Mesa's early LDS settlements and continue to shape 
the city's landscapes, neighborhoods, and sense of 
place today.

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Early Lehi settlers c. 1890 (Mesa Historical Museum)
Early Settlement of Mesa (1877-1883)
Spanish missionaries first reached Arizona in the late 
1600s, and over time the region became part of New 
Spain, then Mexico following independence in 1821. 
After the Mexican-American War and the Gadsden 
Purchase, present-day Arizona became part of the 
United States and was organized as the Territory of 
Arizona in 1863 before achieving statehood in 1912.
Euro-American settlement in the Mesa area began 
soon after the creation of the Arizona Territory. In 
1877, settlers directed by LDS Church leader Brigham 
Young established the community of Lehi along 
the Salt River Valley, using irrigation systems based 
on the canals engineered by Ancestral O’odham 
communities.
A second group, known as the Mesa Company, 
established Mesa in 1878 south of Lehi. Mesa’s 
original townsite followed the “City of Zion” plan 
developed by LDS founder Joseph Smith, featuring a 
one-square-mile grid with wide streets, park strips, 
and surrounding agricultural lots. As additional settlers 
arrived from Utah, Mesa grew steadily and officially 
incorporated in 1883.
Desert Farm Town (1883-1906)
During the 1880s and early 1900s, Mesa developed 
into an agricultural center in the eastern Salt River 
Valley. Growth was supported by expanding irrigation 
systems, nearby mining activity in the Superstition 
Mountains, and the arrival of the Southern Pacific 
Railroad in 1895, which improved access to building 
materials and regional markets. Downtown Mesa 
expanded with new banks, hotels, stores, and homes, 
while Mesa’s population reached 722 by 1900.
This period brought greater religious and cultural 
diversity as non-LDS settlers established Baptist and 
Methodist congregations. Severe droughts between 
1898 and 1905 threatened agriculture and caused 
population decline, prompting valley residents to 
petition for a permanent water solution. Passage of 
the National Reclamation Act in 1902 authorized 
construction of Roosevelt Dam, which began in 1906.
Several buildings from this era survive today, including 
the Sirrine House (1896), the Pomeroy Building (1891), 
and the Alhambra Hotel (1893).
City of Zion Plan, History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day 
Saints.  Period I. History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet by Himself.  
Volume I (Salt Lake City: Desert Book Co., 2ed. rev., 1961)

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1309 W 1st Pl. (Harvey Homesites, an early 
Mesa post-war subdivision)
Downtown Mesa, 1943 (Mesa Historical Museum)
Growth and Expansion (1906-1945)
With the completion of the Roosevelt Dam in 1911 and 
increased demand for agricultural products during World 
War I, Mesa underwent an economic boom. By 1920, 
the population grew to over 3,000 residents, and new 
subdivisions expanded beyond the original townsite. 
These subdivisions featured narrower streets, concrete 
curbs and sidewalks, and uniform residential lots. 
Popular housing styles included Craftsman bungalows 
and Tudor, Spanish, and Pueblo Revival cottages.
Mesa's population also became increasingly diverse, 
with growing African American, Asian, and Latino 
communities. Local segregation policies and customs 
limited housing opportunities and contributed to 
culturally 
distinct 
neighborhoods, 
including 
the 
Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood just 
north of the original townsite boundary.
During the Great Depression, federal legislation and 
programs such as the National Housing Act of 1934, and 
the Works Progress and Public Works Administrations 
provided local employment while funding public 
buildings and infrastructure. These efforts resulted in 
projects such as the Post Building (Federal Building). By 
the start of World War II, Mesa's population reached 
7,224 with new single-family Minimal Traditional and 
Early Ranch-style homes, and establishment of Falcon 
Field and Williams Air Force Base.
Suburban Mesa (1945-1970s)
Following World War II, Mesa experienced rapid 
suburban growth fueled by returning servicemen 
and increasing demand for housing. New subdivisions 
continued to spread outward from the city center and 
reflected postwar suburban planning trends, including 
larger lots, curving streets, and automobile-oriented 
design. Ranch-style homes became the dominant 
housing type, featuring open floor plans, attached 
carports, and garages designed for modern suburban 
living. Mesa experienced dramatic growth between 
1950 and 1980, expanding from a population of 
16,790 to more than 152,000 residents. Annexation 
of surrounding subdivisions transformed Mesa from a 
small agricultural town into a large suburban city with 
an increasingly expansive urban form.

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Mesa's Architectural Context
Example of House in Historic District
The following section highlights the common residential 
architectural styles and building types found in Mesa's 
historic districts and places. An architectural style 
describes specific materials, roof shapes, exterior 
ornamentation, and architectural features associated 
with the style during its period of popularity. For 
example, Craftsman-style homes, in fashion during the 
first three decades of the 20th century, feature low-
pitched roof shapes, deep overhanging eaves and front 
porches, all characteristic elements of the style. 
In contrast to style, a building type is a building’s overall 
shape, determined mainly by its ground floor plan, 
wall elevations, massing, and configuration of interior 
spaces. 
Architectural styles typically have associated building 
types, with some simple and symmetrical in shape 
and others more complex and asymmetrical. In some 
instances, a historic building may feature only some 
aspects of an architectural style, adapted to a building 
type in ways that provide a more or less modest, 
vernacular architectural expression. 
Many of Mesa's historic districts exhibit multiple 
architectural styles and building types that illustrate the 
evolution of Mesa's growth. While most buildings in the 
districts are single-family residences, some districts also 
include commercial or institutional properties. Some 
districts feature a cohesive building type, while others 
feature multiple distinct building types. It is important to 
assess the appropriateness of proposed modifications 
for both the architectural style and building type as well 
as for the characteristics of the district. 
The information that follows is intended to give 
general guidance on stylistic features; however, it 
is recommended to consult with the Mesa Historic 
Preservation Office to determine character-defining 
features on a case-by-case basis.

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Cottage (1880-1940) 
Cottages are typically asymmetrical, one- to one-and-
a-half-story building types with low-pitched gable 
roofs, prominent chimneys, and small covered porches. 
Popularized through architectural pattern books 
during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cottages 
became one of the nation's most common residential 
forms. Their modest size, efficient floor plans, and 
adaptable designs made them an affordable and 
practical housing type for working-class families.
Typical Features
•	One or one-and-one-half stories in height
•	Small- to medium-sized, emphasizing a cozy and 
intimate atmosphere
•	Frame or masonry construction
•	Often feature a combination of natural materials
•	Low-pitched gabled roof
•	Small covered entryway or porch
•	Asymmetrical building form
National Folk (1850-1930)
National Folk refers to a modest architectural style 
found in communities across the US, especially 
those located along railroad lines. These housing 
styles, mostly built with inexpensive, mass-produced 
materials, feature little to no ornamentation and 
relatively simple forms and shapes with gable fronts.
Typical Features
•	One or two stories in height
•	Box-like massing with horizontal emphasis, one 
or two rooms deep
•	Rectangular, square, or L-Plan in form
•	Wood frame with stucco or wood siding finish
•	Hip or gable roof, or gable-on-hip (Dutch gable) 
roof forms
•	Flat window and door openings
•	Wood double-hung windows
•	Large front verandas supported by wood posts

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Queen Anne (1880-1910) 
Popular during the Victorian era, the Queen Anne 
architectural style was among the most common 
styles in the country and is characterized by irregular 
shapes and complex arrangement of massing and 
features. The exterior of the house is often elaborate, 
with varied surface materials and decorative detailing, 
while a complex color scheme further enhances the 
variety of materials used.
Typical Features
•	One or one-and-one-half stories in height
•	Use of decorative features to avoid the 
appearance of smooth exterior surfaces
•	Full-width/wrap-around porches with spindle work
•	Steeply pitched roof of irregular shape
•	Stained glass widows
•	Square or rounded towers
•	Decorative shingling patterns on wall surfaces
Colonial Revival (1880-1955) 
Colonial Revival homes stem from residential 
architecture of New England in the 17th and 18th 
centuries. Colonial Revival homes in Mesa are 
distinguished by a general symmetry in the arrangement 
of their parts and restraint in ornamentation. Although 
popular throughout the country starting in the 
1880s, the Colonial Revival architectural style began 
appearing in Mesa after 1915.
Typical Features
•	One-story in height 
•	Rectangular or L-Shaped with the long side facing 
the street
•	Symmetrical front facade with center door entry
•	Low-to medium-pitched gabled or hipped roof 
with hipped dormers
•	Front portico with porch columns and pediment 
•	Entryway fan or sidelights
•	Double-hung windows with multiple panes
•	Paired windows are common

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Craftsman (1905-1930) 
Originating in California and made popular through 
architectural pattern books during the early decades 
of the 20th century, Craftsman houses emphasized 
hand craftsmanship, natural materials, and simplicity 
in design and ornamentation. Popular for smaller 
houses, this architectural style adapted readily to the 
bungalow building type.  
Typical Features
•	One to one-and-one-half stories 
•	Rectangular, square, or L-Shaped in form 
•	Frame, brick, or stucco construction, often in 
combination 
•	Deep overhanging eaves 
•	Roof rafter tails or knee brackets 
•	Gabled roof forms 
•	Square or tapered porch columns or posts 
•	Double-hung windows with divided light upper 
sash
Mission Revival (1890-1940) 
The Mission Revival architectural style, drawn from 
the inspiration of Catholic missions, was popular 
in the early 20th century and spread eastward 
from California under the influence of well-known 
architects and national builder magazines. Mission 
Revival houses in Mesa typically feature stucco wall 
surfaces and their curved decorative parapets are the 
main identifying feature.
Typical Features
•	Square or rectangular floor plan  
•	Curved, decorative roof parapet  
•	One-story full or partial width porches, some 
with arched openings
•	Symmetrical or asymmetrical facade 
•	Double-hung windows 
•	Smooth stucco wall surface

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Bungalow (1905-1935) 
A Bungalow is a small, typically one-story building type 
with a covered front porch. In the early 1900s, the 
Bungalow garnered an enormous following among the 
middle class because of its simple and practical style. 
Popular in Mesa from 1910-1940, bungalows typically 
feature gently sloping gable or hip roofs with wide 
overhanging eaves and exposed rafters or roof beams. 
Porches typically have tapered wood columns on brick piers.
Typical Features
•	One to one-and-one-half stories
•	Box-like massing
•	Gable end typically faces street
•	Wood, brick, or stucco wall surfaces
•	Medium-pitched hipped or gabled roof, often 
with dormers
•	Deep overhanging eaves
•	Prominent, covered front porch
Pueblo Revival (1910-present) 
The Pueblo Revival architectural style, derived from late 
18th and early 19th century Southwest Pueblo of the 
Rio Grande Valley, New Mexico, and northern Arizona, 
blends aspects of both Native American pueblos and 
structures built by Spanish colonists in Mexico. Pueblo 
Revival style homes were built in Mesa during the late 
1920s through the modern-era.  
Typical Features
•	One story with rectangular asymmetrical facade 
and stepped massing
•	Flat roofs sometimes concealed behind irregular 
plastered parapets
•	Front entry porches with tile roofs
•	Adobe or stucco construction or wall finish
•	Squared window openings with casement or 
double-hung windows
•	Little to no wall surface ornamentation
•	Decorative elements like exposed log beams, hewn 
timber beams, post and lintels, and water scuppers

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Spanish Revival (1915-1940) 
Popular during the 1920s and 1930s and common in 
California and the American Southwest, the Spanish 
Revival architectural style stems from an interest 
in the region's heritage, including its historic links 
to Spain, Mexico, and Native American cultures. 
Spanish Revival is characterized by stucco walls; tile 
roofs; arched window, door, and porch openings; 
and asymmetrical facades. Spanish Revival homes 
incorporate a number of architectural elements and 
ornamentation from different Spanish architectural 
traditions emanating from Moorish influence.  
Typical Features
•	One to two stories in height 
•	Rectangular and asymmetrical floor plans 
•	Stucco wall surfaces 
•	Low-pitched, Spanish tile roofs 
•	Round towers in some examples  
•	Arched door or window openings
Tudor/English Cottage Revival 
(1915-1940) 
Noted for its steeply pitched gables and roof forms, 
the Tudor Revival architectural style became popular 
in the United States during the 1920s and is loosely 
based on late medieval English prototypes. A variant of 
the Tudor Revival is the English Cottage, which typically 
features an asymmetrical floor plan with plain wall 
surfaces and cross-gabled roof forms. 
Typical Features
•	One story and rectangular or L-Shape in form 
•	Steeply pitched and cross-gabled roof forms with 
multiple front-facing gables or one dominant gable
•	False half-timbering and arched fenestration 
openings 
•	Multi-pane windows, sometimes tall and narrow 
and arranged in groups 
•	Large chimney stacks
•	Small portals or vestibules rather than large front 
porches

International Style (1925-present) 
The International Style evolved in Europe as a 
rejection of ornament and previous architectural 
styles. Principally used for office buildings, residential 
dwellings designed in this architectural style feature 
smooth concrete or stucco wall surfaces devoid of 
ornamentation, narrow bands of steel casement 
windows, flat roofs with parapets, and, in some cases, 
projecting canopies, especially over entries. 
Typical Features
•	One to two stories in height 
•	Rectangular or asymmetrical in form 
•	Smooth wall surfaces of concrete or stucco 
•	Narrow window bands, or floor-ceiling windows in 
some cases 
•	Flat roofs and canopies, sometimes overhanging 
or projecting
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Streamline Moderne (1920-1950)
Popular during the 1920s and 1930s, the Streamline 
Moderne architectural style features smooth and 
rounded wall surfaces, mostly in stucco but also in 
brick. While less common in residential dwellings, 
Streamline Moderne was a popular style used for 
transportation facilities such as bus and airport 
terminals, car garages and dealerships. Streamline 
Moderne was a departure from the more decorative 
Art Deco style of the same time period.
Typical Features
•	One to two stories in height 
•	Horizontal orientation
•	Stucco or brick wall surfaces
•	Flat roofs
•	Smooth asymmetrical facades often curved walls
•	Steel casement and glass block windows
•	Round porthole windows

Minimal Traditional (1935-1950)
The Minimal Traditional architectural style emerged in 
the U.S. during the late 1930s and became popular in 
the 1940s and 1950s. The house type was a response 
to economic and social conditions of the time, 
particularly the shortage of materials and labor during 
World War II and the subsequent housing demand 
for returning veterans and their families. The Minimal 
Traditional style is characterized by its simplicity, 
efficiency and compactness.
Typical Features
•	One story in height
•	Small size
•	Rectangular form
•	Stucco, wood, or brick wall surfaces 
•	Minimal ornamentation
•	Basic materials
•	Functional floor plans
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Early Ranch (1935 -1955)
The Early Ranch or Transitional Ranch building type 
evolved from the earlier Bungalow and Cottage 
building types common during the Great Depression. 
Early Ranch homes provided an affordable housing 
option for many people both before and after World 
War II and set the stage for the subsequent evolution 
and popularity of the Ranch-type home in the United 
States.
Typical Features
•	One story, rectangular or L-shaped form
•	Low-pitched gable or hip roofs
•	Small wood framed porches occurring over the 
entry or the juncture of the intersecting roofs
•	Square or rectangular windows/doors
•	Metal-framed windows with small window panes
•	Corner or bay windows

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Ranch (1935-1975) 
The Ranch home is a single-story building type with 
a low-pitched roof and rectilinear or elongated form. 
Ranch homes open layouts, functional design, and 
affordability made them an attractive choice for 
middle-class families looking to settle in expanding 
suburbs. Over time, the Ranch became a symbol 
of American suburban living, embodying a blend of 
practicality, simplicity and connection to the landscape.
Typical Features
•	Single-story with a horizontal orientation
•	Rectangular or L-shaped
•	Wood frame, brick, or stucco wall surfaces
•	Long, low roof lines
•	Low-pitched roof, sometimes cross-gabled
•	Off-center front door entry, often recessed
•	Steel casement windows and picture windows, 
often with multiple lights
•	Attached garage or carport
•	Minimal embellishments and symmetrical designs
Prairie Ranch (1935-1975) 
Prairie Ranches are meant to blend in with flat, open 
landscapes, spreading out horizontally across large lots, 
rather than building upwards. Prairie-Ranch houses, a 
subtype of the Ranch building type, often have flat or 
minimally pitched roof lines with overhanging eaves, 
and low profile exteriors composed of flat lines and 
planes. They are composed of materials with roots in 
the natural world, including wood, stucco, stone, and 
rustic brick.
Typical Features
•	Single-story with a horizontal orientation
•	Rectangular or L-shaped with broadside to the 
street
•	Low-pitched hip or modified hip roof with broad 
overhanging eaves.
•	Decorative elements to create door surrounds 
include sidelights, planters, and low walls
•	Craft-style front doors and corner windows
•	Often lacks a defined front porch

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Rambling Ranch (1945-1975)
Rambling Ranch homes, also known as sprawling
Ranch homes, represent a unique subtype of the 
Ranch building type that gained popularity in the 
mid-20th century. The term "rambling" aptly describes 
the sprawling nature of these homes. They typically 
feature a single-story design with a long, horizontal 
footprint that stretches across the property. Rambling 
Ranch homes, mostly found in Fraser Fields in Mesa, 
are often nestled on large lots, allowing for expansive 
outdoor spaces and landscaping opportunities.
Typical Features
•	Long, horizontal building footprint
•	Expansive windows, picture windows common
•	Low-pitched roof line
•	Multiple outdoor spaces
•	Combination of materials
Mid-Century Modern (1945-1975)
Mid-century Modern architecture is characterized by 
clean, minimalist design, the use of diverse materials 
and a lack of ornamentation in favor of geometric 
shapes and angles. This architectural style, prevalent 
in Mesa, was used in both commercial and residential 
construction and gained prominence in the post World 
War II era when demand for new construction was 
high and architects began exploring the use of new 
materials like steel, concrete and insulated glass. The 
style heavily influenced Mesa's development.
Typical Features
•	Angular or curved roof forms
•	Use of breeze block
•	Decorative brick grills
•	Masonry with stacked bonds
•	Off-center entries 
•	Frame, brick, or stucco wall surfaces

Polynesian Ranch (1955-1975)
Polynesian Ranch homes, a subtype of the Ranch 
building type, are rare mid-century variations blending 
the low, horizontal layout of classic ranch houses with 
tropical-inspired design elements adapted for the desert 
climate. Influences came from postwar fascination with 
Hawaii, Polynesian pop culture, and resort architecture. 
Typical Features
•	Low-pitched or dramatically extended rooflines 
with deep overhangs and exposed beam gable 
accents
•	Dominant hip roof with dramatic front-facing 
gables or outward angled side-facing gables
•	Exposed beams and tongue-and-groove ceilings
•	Lava rock, breeze block, or rough stone accents
•	Courtyard-style entries and indoor-outdoor living 
spaces
•	Large picture windows facing patios or pools
•	Tropical landscaping mixed with desert plants
•	Decorative tiki or island-inspired details
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Classic Ranch/California Ranch 
(1945-1965)
The California Ranch, subtype of the Ranch building 
type, is characterized by an L- or U-shaped structure 
built low to the ground. This sprawling, single-story 
style is designed to blend with nature. A patio and 
front lawn are key features of the California Ranch 
style.
Typical Features
•	One story, elongated rectangular or L-shaped
•	Variety of low-pitched roof types including gable, 
hip, or intersecting gables and/or hips
•	Minimal porch, usually in the form of an 
extended eave, with or without posts over the 
junction of the two wings
•	Attached carport or garage
•	Steel casement windows with no trim

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166 W Main St. • Downtown Mesa

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APPENDIX
APPENDIX A - CITY OF MESA HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM
APPENDIX B - CERTIFICATE OF APPROPRIATENESS REVIEW STANDARDS
APPENDIX C - CHARACTER DEFINING FEATURES
APPENDIX D - HISTORIC DISTRICTS & HISTORIC LANDMARKS
APPENDIX E - HERITAGE NEIGHBORHOODS & OTHER HERITAGE PLACES

Mesa’s local historic preservation efforts trace back 
to the 1960s when a group of local citizens formed 
the Mesa Historical and Archaeological Society, an 
organization that helped establish the Mesa Museum 
of Archaeology and History in 1978, now the Arizona 
Museum of Natural History. However, it was not until 
1993, following advocacy from concerned citizens, 
that the Mesa City Council adopted the community’s 
first historic preservation ordinance, establishing 
procedures for designating landmarks and historic 
districts, as well as reviewing permit applications for 
exterior design changes and building demolitions.
In 1995, Mesa became a Certified Local Government 
(CLG) through the National Park Service of the U.S. 
Department of the Interior, allowing the City of Mesa 
to participate in federally funded grant and technical 
assistance opportunities. Today, the City of Mesa 
Historic Preservation Office administers the local historic 
preservation program in conjunction with the Historic 
Preservation Board (HPB). The HPB, comprised of seven 
appointed members, makes recommendations to the 
Planning and Zoning Board, the Design Review Board, 
and the Mesa City Council on various preservation-
related matters. 
Mesa’s Historic Preservation Office has grown to 
include staff support for local and National Register 
designation of historic properties and Heritage 
Neighborhood recognition, assistance with regulatory 
compliance, preservation of Mesa's cultural heritage, 
and programs for the enhancement of public 
knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the 
City's rich history.
Historic Districts & Historic Landmarks 
Historic Districts and Historic Landmarks within the 
City of Mesa can be listed on the National Register, 
locally designated, or both. Both National and local 
designation can be used as effective preservation 
planning tools, either independently or together, 
to help preserve a community’s historic resources 
and character.
The City of Mesa Historic Preservation Office maintains 
the Mesa Historic Property Register, which includes all 
historic property designations in the City and is made 
available to the public. 
Local historic preservation is the process of protecting 
significant areas or buildings in a community through 
local laws and organizations. Most legal power to 
protect historic places rests with local government. 
In Mesa, locally designated historic resources meet 
criteria for significance outlined within the Mesa Zoning 
Ordinance and may be subject to review by the Historic 
Preservation Office and/or Historic Preservation Board.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official 
list of the nation's historic sites worthy of preservation, 
authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 
1966. Managed by the National Park Service, it is part 
of a national program to coordinate and support public 
and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect 
America's historic and archaeological resources.
Appendix A - City of Mesa Historic Preservation Program
City of Mesa Historic Preservation Board & City Staff (2024)
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Heritage Neighborhood Recognition 
The City of Mesa Heritage Neighborhood Recognition 
Program was created to help recognize and give status to 
neighborhoods in Mesa that have a unique history that 
do not have historic district designation. This honorary 
recognition does not impose additional regulations, but 
Heritage Neighborhood areas may be within other types 
of zoning districts with specific standards and review 
criteria. The Washington-Escobedo Neighborhood 
and the Lehi Neighborhood are Mesa’s only Heritage 
Neighborhoods. More information on this program and 
neighborhood history can be found in Appendix E and 
on the Mesa Historic Preservation Office website. 
Historic & Cultural Resource Surveys
Many times, significant buildings, structures, objects, 
sites, and districts are identified through historic 
property or cultural resource survey. These surveys 
identify potential historic and cultural resources, 
explore historic context, and may evaluate eligibility 
for listing in the Mesa Historic Property Register and/or 
the National Register of Historic Places. To date, surveys 
administered by the City's Historic Preservation Office 
have inventoried more than 3,000 properties.
The National Register includes districts, sites, buildings, 
structures, and objects significant in American history, 
architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture. 
Nominations are submitted by public agencies, private 
individuals, organizations, and local governments. 
A professional review board in each state evaluates 
nominations and makes recommendations. 
Listing on the National Register of Historic Places is 
honorific and generally does not restrict the use or 
disposition of a historic resource, unless the property 
is federally owned or involved in a federal undertaking. 
National Register listing may make available state and 
federal financial and technical assistance programs to 
property owners. 
Neon Garden at the Post, 26 N Macdonald
View south of Temple Historic District
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Regulatory Compliance
Mesa's Historic Preservation Office supports the City 
of Mesa in complying with local, state and federal laws 
governing historic properties and cultural resources. 
Some examples of this work include issuance of 
Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) for local 
historic districts or landmarks, reviews required 
under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), and 
archaeological assessments for projects on land owned 
or controlled by the City, where appropriate. 
Preserving Mesa's Cultural Heritage
Mesa's cultural heritage includes not only standing 
buildings and structures, but also archaeological 
sites, cultural landscapes, traditional cultural places, 
and other resources that may exist above or below 
ground. Mesa is home to hundreds of archaeological 
and cultural sites that represent thousands of years of 
history and many stories. 
Projects should be sensitive to the potential presence 
of these resources, are encouraged to coordinate 
with qualified professionals, descendant communities, 
Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, the State Historic 
Preservation Office, and Mesa's City Archaeologist, and 
must comply with applicable local, state, and federal 
laws and regulations governing cultural resources. To 
learn more about the protection of cultural resources, 
please contact the Mesa Historic Preservation Office.
Sharing Community History
The Historic Preservation program promotes awareness 
of Mesa’s architectural and cultural heritage, 
collaborates with residents and business owners to 
preserve this history, and fosters civic pride, ensuring 
that future generations can appreciate and understand 
Mesa’s unique cultural legacy. 
Mesa's Historic Preservation program includes public 
outreach in the form of monthly Historic Preservation 
Board meetings, community meetings, presentations, 
walking tours, and more. Each May, during Historic 
Preservation Month, school-aged Mesa residents are 
asked to showcase their visual and language arts skills 
for the HP Student Essay & Visual Arts Contest. To see 
past year's submissions click here.
Supporting Preservation for the Future
Historic preservation plays a crucial role in shaping 
vibrant, sustainable communities. By protecting and 
revitalizing historic buildings, neighborhoods, and cultural 
landmarks, cities maintain a tangible connection to 
their identity and heritage, while fostering community 
pride and a sense of place. 
Preservation encourages adaptive reuse, transforming 
older structures into functional spaces like housing, 
offices, or cultural centers. Saving these historic 
resources reduces environmental impact when 
compared to new construction.
Historic preservation can also support local economies 
by encouraging tourism, attracting investment, increasing 
property values, and strengthening neighborhood 
character. Revitalized historic districts often become 
hubs of small businesses, arts, and culture, attracting 
both locals and visitors alike. 
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Additional Resources & Learning
Mesa Historic Preservation Office
www.mesaaz.gov/hp
Arizona State Historic Preservation Office
www.azstateparks.com/SHPO
National Park Service, National Register of 
Historic Places
www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister
National Park Service, Technical Briefs
www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs
Mesa Room at the Main Library
www.mesalibrary.org/research/mesa-room
Mesa Historical Museum
www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com
Mesa Preservation Foundation
www.mesapreservation.org
Arizona Preservation Foundation
www.azpreservation.org
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
www.achp.gov

Student award winners, their teacher, and winning art entry at the 2026 Historic Preservation Month Celebration.
Historic Homes of Mesa Walking Tour (2024)
Historic Preservation Officer, Matthew Kriegl, presenting 
at PreserveAZ Conference in Phoenix (2025)
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The Secretary of the Interior's Standards 
for Rehabilitation
The Mesa Zoning Ordinance requires COA decisions 
to be based on compliance with the Secretary of the 
Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, in conjunction 
with the guidance provided in these Design 
Guidelines.
1.	 A property shall be used for its historic purpose 
or be placed in a new use that requires minimal 
change to the defining characteristics of the 
building and its site and environment.
2.	 The historic character of a property shall be 
retained and preserved. The removal of historic 
materials or alteration of features and spaces that 
characterize a property shall be avoided.
3.	 Each property shall be recognized as a physical 
record of its time, place, and use. Changes that 
create a false sense of historical development, 
such as adding conjectural features or 
architectural elements from other buildings, shall 
not be undertaken.
4.	 Most properties change over time; those changes 
that have acquired historic significance in their 
own right shall be retained and preserved.
5.	 Distinctive features, finishes, and construction 
techniques or examples of craftsmanship 
that characterize a historic property shall be 
preserved.
6.	 Deteriorated historic features shall be repaired 
rather than replaced. Where the severity of 
deterioration requires replacement of a distinctive 
feature, the new feature shall match the old in 
design, color, texture, and other visual qualities 
and, where possible, materials. Replacement 
of missing features shall be substantiated by 
documentary, physical, or pictorial evidence.
7.	 Chemical or physical treatments, such as 
sandblasting, that cause damage to historic 
materials shall not be used. The surface cleaning 
of structures, if appropriate, shall be undertaken 
using the gentlest means possible.
8.	 Significant archeological resources affected by a 
project shall be protected and preserved. If such 
resources must be disturbed, mitigation measures 
shall be undertaken.
9.	 New additions, exterior alterations, or related 
new construction shall not destroy historic 
materials that characterize the property. The 
new work shall be differentiated from the old and 
shall be compatible with the massing, size, scale, 
and architectural features to protect the historic 
integrity of the property and its environment.
10.	New additions and adjacent or related new 
construction shall be undertaken in such a 
manner that if removed in the future, the 
essential form and integrity of the historic 
property and its environment would be 
unimpaired.
Appendix B - COA Review Standards
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Standards for Demolition
A.	 The Building Official, in consultation with the 
Historic Preservation Officer and the City Manager, 
determines that the Historic Resource presents 
an imminent hazard to the public safety, and that 
repair or renovation would be impractical; or
B.	 The Historic Preservation Board determines that 
both of the following are found: 
i.	
The building(s), structure(s), object(s), 
archaeological resource(s), or site(s) have 
minimal historic significance because of its 
location, conditions, modifications, or other 
factors; and
ii.	 Demolition of the building(s), structure(s), 
object(s), archaeological resource(s), or site(s) 
would not have an adverse impact on the 
preservation of historic properties in the 
vicinity. 
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Foundations 
Foundations support and stabilize a house and usually 
include a footing below ground and a stem wall above 
it. The stem wall rises from the ground and supports 
the exterior walls, usually stopping at the first floor. 
Foundations may be made of concrete, brick, or stone, 
and some homes have little or no footing at all. In Mesa, 
some even include basements, which is uncommon in 
much of Arizona.
Exterior Walls 
The exterior walls of a historic residence often combine 
traditional siding materials with layered construction 
techniques that may include shiplap beneath or 
as part of the structural system, providing a tight, 
interlocking wooden barrier against weather. This type 
of construction reflects earlier craftsmanship, where 
durability and material efficiency were essential to 
protecting the home from sun, wind, and seasonal 
moisture. It is important to maintain these exterior 
walls, including any original shiplap. 
Articulation 
Articulation refers to the way a building’s massing, form, 
and structural components are expressed to create 
depth, rhythm, and visual organization. This includes 
the composition of volumes, setbacks, projections, 
entrances, window groupings, roof forms, and the 
relationship between horizontal and vertical elements. 
Preserving historic articulation is important because it 
maintains the building’s original scale and proportions. 
Retaining historic articulation helps preserve the 
integrity of the resource and the streetscape character.
Additions to historic buildings should be compatible 
through complementary massing, scale, and proportion. 
New additions should remain visually subordinate to the 
historic structure while using transitions, setbacks, and 
clearly defined forms to distinguish new construction 
from the original building without disrupting its historic 
character.
Roof/Roofing 
Roofs are are visually prominent elements of houses. In 
Mesa, roof types vary greatly depending on the historic 
styles. One may find materials such as wood shingles, 
clay tiles, metal, asphalt shingles, and rolled-on built-up 
roofing. Each roof type and material requires individual 
care and maintenance. The watertightness of a roof 
also is essential in maintaining the house's physical 
condition. 
Masonry 
Many historic homes in Mesa were comprised of 
masonry construction, usually brick, stone, adobe, 
concrete, concrete block, terra cotta, hollow clay 
tiles, or concrete masonry units (CMUs), which are 
standardized pre-cast concrete blocks commonly 
used in structural and decorative construction. Breeze 
blocks were also commonly incorporated into Ranch 
and Modern-era buildings to provide shade, ventilation, 
privacy, and visual texture. In general, masonry walls of 
historic houses were not originally painted except in 
some examples of Period Revival and Ranch styles. It is 
not appropriate to paint previously unpainted masonry.
Stucco 
The use of stucco on masonry and wood frame walls 
is very common in Mesa, especially on bungalows and 
Period Revival houses. The terms "stucco" and "plaster" 
are used interchangeably in common usage. However, 
"stucco" actually refers to a trowel-applied, non-
structural exterior plaster made primarily of cement. 
Adobe 
Historic adobe homes in Mesa reflect the region’s early 
desert architecture, using thick sun-dried mud brick 
walls to keep interiors cool during intense Arizona heat. 
Many of these homes, especially those connected to 
early farming communities and pioneer settlements, 
showcase Southwestern craftsmanship and preserve 
an important part of Mesa’s cultural heritage.
Appendix C - Character Defining Features
Definitions of Character Defining Features of a Building
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Wood 
Historic wood siding reflects early building practices 
in which locally available timber was used to protect 
structures from sun and seasonal weather while 
providing an economical and easily repairable exterior 
material. In many older neighborhoods, wood siding 
was preferred over stucco or masonry because 
individual boards could be replaced without extensive 
reconstruction. 
Common siding types include clapboard (lap), shingle, 
and board-and-batten siding, where thin vertical wood 
strips, or battens, cover the seams between wider 
boards to create strong vertical articulation, shadow 
lines, and texture on the building exterior. The “reveal,” 
or visible space between adjacent rows of siding, is an 
important aspect of historic wood cladding. 
Chimneys 
A chimney is an architectural structure built to vent 
smoke and heat from fireplaces, stoves, or furnaces. 
Historic chimneys often feature traditional materials 
such as brick, stone, or adobe and help reflect the 
construction styles and daily life of a community’s past.
Windows and Doors 
Historic buildings contain a variety of window and door 
types and materials that reflect the city’s architectural 
development from the late nineteenth through the 
mid-twentieth century. Common window types include 
double-hung wood sash windows, casement windows, 
steel-framed industrial and Modern-style windows, 
fixed picture windows, and grouped horizontal windows. 
Historic doors similarly vary by architectural style and 
period, including paneled wood doors, glazed entry 
doors, recessed entries, and decorative screen or 
storm doors common in residential neighborhoods. 
Original materials were typically wood or steel, 
selected for their durability and compatibility with 
regional architectural traditions. The size, proportions, 
glazing patterns, and placement of windows and doors 
contribute significantly to the historic character and 
articulation of buildings within Mesa’s historic districts 
and historic landmarks. Retention and repair of original 
materials and configurations are encouraged, while 
replacements should match the historic openings, 
profiles, and overall visual character of the structure.
Porches 
Porches help to define the character of a house's 
historic style. As important elements of architectural 
design they should be retained and maintained. 
Awnings and Shades 
Shade is a precious commodity in Mesa, Arizona. In the 
early years of settlement, Vernacular houses were built 
with deep porches and canvas awnings to help keep 
them cool. With local trends in housing turning more 
toward nationally popular architectural styles and with 
the advent of evaporative cooling in the 1930s, the 
porches and awnings began to disappear. Awnings were 
predominantly relegated to commercial structures.
Landscaping 
Early Mesa was promoted as a green oasis in the 
desert, supported by canal irrigation that brought 
water to homes. Many residents planted lawns, 
trees, and flowers to recreate the look of Midwestern 
neighborhoods, even though desert plants would 
have used less water. Over time, they relied on flood 
irrigation and non-native plants, creating the lush, 
grassy yards still seen in older neighborhoods today. 
This landscaping remains a key part of Mesa’s historic 
neighborhood character. 
Porte-Cocheres and Carports 
Many historic homes include features like porte-
cocheres or carports as key parts of their design. 
Craftsman houses often feature porte-cocheres along 
with prominent rooflines and porches that define their 
look. Later Ranch-style homes may include attached 
carports instead. These features are usually integrated 
into the building and designed to match the home’s 
overall style and details.
Painting
Virtually every historic house has features which were 
painted, stained, or varnished to protect them from 
deterioration from weathering. Occasional exterior 
stucco may have been colored with pigment additives 
rather than having been painted. The stucco of some 
bungalows may have even been purposefully left a 
natural cement color as an aesthetic expression and as 
a low maintenance surface needing no paint. Brick and 
stone are traditionally left unpainted to allow proper 
function of these materials.
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DESIGNATED HISTORIC DISTRICTS IN MESA
1.	 Glenwood-Wilbur Street Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
2.	 West 2nd Street Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
3.	 Evergreen Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
4.	 Temple Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
5.	 Robson Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
6.	 West Side-Clark Addition Historic District (MHPR and NRHP) 
7.	 Flying Acres Local Historic District (MHPR) 
8.	 Fraser Fields Historic District (MHPR and NRHP)
Local Designation: Mesa Historic Property Register (MHPR) 
National Designation: National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)
Appendix D - Historic Districts & Historic Landmarks
Historic Districts
A historic district is a geographically defined area of 
buildings, structures, or sites that are recognized for their 
collective historical, cultural, or architectural significance. 
Historic districts are often characterized by their 
distinctive architectural styles or building types and 
shared historical context, reflecting the heritage and 
development of a community.
Mesa is home to eight designated historic districts. All 
eight of these historic districts are listed on the Mesa 
Historic Properties Register (MHPR) and seven are also 
listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). 
Historic districts help preserve the character of 
neighborhoods, promote awareness of local history, 
encourage appropriate improvements, enhance 
property values, and foster a sense of community pride. 
Listing on the NRHP is honorary and may provide 
access to certain preservation incentives. Properties 
designated on the MHPR are within Historic Preservation 
Overlays which ensure exterior alterations, additions, 
and new construction are compatible with the historic 
district through the Certificate of Appropriateness 
(COA) review process.
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Map 1: Mesa Local Historic Districts and National Register Historic Districts
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The Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District represents the early 20th century development of the 
original Mesa Townsite from large lots to subdivisions with smaller single-family residences. 
Platted between 1919 and 1922, the district is an example of Mesa's transition from a rural, 
agricultural community to a more urban center. This area encompasses four north-south streets, 
including N Pasadena, N Hibbert, N Wilbur Street, and Pomeroy Street, and is bounded on the 
north and south by Second Street and First Street.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
Over time, the area developed into a cohesive neighborhood of middle- and working-class 
families and showcases a diverse mix of architectural styles common during the first half of 
the 20th century in Arizona. Reflecting over forty years of continuous development, prominent 
architectural styles and building types found mixed throughout the neighborhood include: 
•	 modest National Folk
•	 Bungalows (pre-WWI & Craftsman style)
•	 Period Revival (including Tudor and Pueblo)
•	 Ranch
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
The district, primarily composed of residential buildings and mature landscaping, illustrates Mesa's 
transition from its 19th century "City of Zion" plan to the more compact suburban subdivision 
patterns of the early 20th century. Wide streets and square blocks associated with the original 
settlement, like along Hibbert and Pomeroy, were gradually supplemented by the narrower auto-
centric streets, and smaller residential lots along Pasadena and Wilbur.
Glenwood-Wilbur Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 1996
National Register Historic District: Listed 1999
Period of Significance
1883-1948
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The West Second Street Historic District is the oldest and most architecturally diverse historic 
district in Mesa. This district is significant not only for its rich architectural variety but also for its 
historical association with the development of Mesa’s prominent middle- and upper-class families 
during the early 1900s. Encompassing portions of five blocks from the original townsite, the 
district showcases refined architectural styles and iconic landscaping elements. The area includes 
four north-south streets, Robson, Macdonald, Drew, and Center, and two east-west streets, 
Second Street and First Street.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
The West Second Street Historic District features a diverse and eclectic array of architectural 
styles and building types that reflect over four decades of development. Represented architectural 
styles and building types in the neighborhood include: 
•	 National Folk or Vernacular style
•	 Bungalows
•	 High-style Period Revival homes (including Mission and Colonial)
•	 Ranch houses on the fringes
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
Unlike the formal replatting of entire blocks into residential subdivisions, the original "City of 
Zion" garden blocks in this district were divided into individual lots through gradual lot splits. This 
process allowed for a more organic, incremental development of the area. A defining feature 
of the district is its wide public rights-of-way, which were improved and narrowed through the 
introduction of tree-lined, grassy medians. These landscaped medians are significant character-
defining elements that contribute to the district's unique charm.
West 2nd Street Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2001
National Register Historic: Listed 1999/Amended 2003
Period of Significance
1883-1959
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The Evergreen Historic District comprises subdivisions that were platted beyond Mesa's original 
townsite. This expansion reflects a series of national economic trends in the first half of the 20th 
century, including expanding access to public utilities, a short-lived surge in development following 
WWI, and the boom of post-WWII population growth in the area. The Evergreen Historic District 
exemplifies one of the first neighborhoods that thrived beyond the original townsite boundary. 
Its varied architectural styles and subdivision layout are characteristic of rapid expansion in Mesa, 
and the broader region at this time. 
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
Houses within the Evergreen Historic District were advertised as an exclusive and "beautiful new 
addition" to the town of Mesa. Reflective of changing development trends, the architectural 
styles and building types are varied and include:
•	 National Folk or Vernacular style
•	 Bungalows
•	 Period Revival (including Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Pueblo, and Colonial)
•	 Ranch
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
When first developed, the Evergreen Historic District emphasized graded streets, water and 
gas connections, and surrounding agricultural land which gave the subdivision a "natural park" 
setting. The neighborhood aimed to create an exclusive community, enforcing deed restrictions, 
minimum setbacks, prohibitions on certain businesses such as saloons, blacksmiths, stables, and 
stores, and restricted property ownership to "only white Americans."
Evergreen Historic District 
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 1999
National Register Historic District: Listed 1999/Amended 2018
Period of Significance
1910-1948
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The Temple Historic District is composed of three north-south streets, including Mesa Drive, 
Udall Street, and Lesueur Street, and is bordered by Main Street to the north and Broadway Road 
to the south. The district contains two early residential subdivisions, the Arizona Temple Addition, 
platted in 1922, and the Stapley Addition, platted in 1924. The prominent 1927 Arizona Temple 
of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints, after which the district is named, played a 
pivotal role in the area’s expansion, sparking the sale of lots and the construction of homes. 
The two early subdivisions contributed to the distinct development patterns still visible today, 
with First Avenue designed as a formal, tree-lined boulevard leading directly to the temple, and 
the other streets designed to be narrower for efficient and high-density housing options.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
The materials and architectural details of the homes in the district differ between the Arizona 
Temple Addition and Stapley Addition portions of the neighborhood. Homes in the Arizona 
Temple Addition, particularly along First Avenue, tend to be larger and more elaborate, while the 
homes in the Stapley Addition are smaller and more modest, with simpler massing and detailing. 
These varied architectural styles and building types within the district include:
• early Bungalows
• National Folk
• Tudor Revival 
• Minimal Traditional
• Transitional/Early Ranch
• Ranch 
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
First Avenue’s formal, tree-lined boulevard leads directly to the LDS Temple, creating a visual 
axis that underscores the Temple’s prominence and district’s historic character. Homes built 
along First Avenue were considered prestigious and feature dense, mature greenery. In contrast, 
the other streets in the district reflect a more efficient approach to land subdivision, with long, 
rectangular blocks that have open and sparsely vegetated landscapes.
Temple Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2001
National Register Historic: Listed 2000
Period of Significance
1910-1949
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The Robson Historic District is roughly bound by University Drive on the north, Second Street on 
the south, Country Club Drive on the west, and Robson Street on the east. The district exemplifies 
the early to mid-20th century growth and transformation of the original Mesa Townsite. The 
district highlights the shift from large garden lots, typical of the original Mormon settlement, to 
smaller, more densely developed parcels to accommodate the city’s growing population. 
Demonstrated by its irregular lot sizes, varied layout of its residential parcels, and by the evolution 
of its architectural styles, the Robson Historic District stands out as one of the clearest examples 
of informal development through lot splits. The district is primarily composed of residential 
buildings, with some commercial properties on the northern, western and southern boundaries.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
The sixty-year history of residential development and architectural styles of Mesa is reflected 
at a neighborhood scale in the Robson Historic District where changes in the popularity of 
architectural styles coincides with regional development booms. Examples of nationally popular 
styles of the time are found mixed throughout the district and include:
• early Bungalows
• Period Revival (including Tudor and Colonial)
• some National Folk 
• Minimal Traditional
• Ranch
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
The Robson Historic District encompasses blocks originally platted as part of the 1883 Mesa 
townsite. As the community expanded, many of these original blocks were subdivided into smaller 
parcels and following the completion of Mesa’s master plat in 1930, the remaining larger lots 
were also split. Over time, many of the district's earliest homes were demolished and replaced, 
leading to a mix of architectural styles and construction dates. This gradual, informal development 
process gives the district its eclectic character, blending older structures with newer ones.
The landscaping in the Robson Historic District is minimal and modest and exhibits a visual rhythm 
with shallow front yards and simple green lawn spaces. The district is typically less dense and lush 
when compared to other surrounding historic neighborhoods.
Robson Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2001
National Register Historic: District Listed 2003
Period of Significance
1911-1959
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Map 6: Robson Historic District
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The West Side-Clark Addition Historic District represents the first residential area to be developed 
outside the western boundary of Mesa’s original townsite. Once a large agricultural property, 
the district is now bordered by University Drive (formerly Fourth Street) on the north, East Main 
Street on the south, Country Club Drive (formerly Mesa Drive) on the east, and Date Street on 
the west. Four single-family residential subdivisions, platted between 1930 and 1947, as well as 
a post-war townhouse subdivision, platted in 1973, comprise the district. 
Specific development trends in these subdivisions govern the appearance of the West Side-
Clark Addition Historic District. The pre-World War II subdivisions, in the north, contain the 
oldest houses while the two later subdivisions, platted after World War II, represent the era of 
rapid construction and population expansion that characterized much of west Mesa. The 1973 
townhouse subdivision reflects more recent infilling of vacant land within the expanded city 
limits.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
The West Side-Clark Historic District showcases suburban planning approaches and architectural 
styles common in the region from the 1930s through the late 1950s. The district is primarly 
composed of middle-income, single-family housing. Stylistic characteristics differ between its 
northern and southern portions, highlighting the contrasting development patterns of pre- 
and post-war subdivisions. The mixture of architectural styles and building types in the district 
include:
• predominantly Ranch (including Early Ranch, Classic Ranch) 
• few early Bungalows
• few Minimal Traditional
• few Period Revival (Tudor and Spanish Colonial)
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
The vast majority of the district is laid out with long, narrow blocks on straight streets oriented 
to the points of the compass. The streetscapes are formed by regularly spaced, small, one-story 
houses on equal-sized lots with narrow frontage. Three of the early subdivisions have tree lawns 
or parkways with sidewalks buffered from the street. When subdividied, the district did not 
retain flood irrigation; however, many homes still retain mature evergreen or deciduous trees 
and palms, as well as hedges, shrubs, and lawns.
West Side-Clark Addition Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2017
National Register Historic: District Listed 2010
Period of Significance
1930-1958
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Map 7: West Side-Clark Addition Historic District Map
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Flying Acres Historic District exemplifies post-war, twentieth-century suburban development 
in Mesa. The district is bounded by Grand Street on the west, Macdonald Street (formerly 
Orangewood Road) on the east and encompasses W. 8th Place (formerly Mountview Drive, a.k.a. 
Mountainview Drive) and W. 9th Street (formerly Echelon Drive). 
Flying Acres was subdivided in 1946 from about 5.5 acres of land owned by Jake L. Wilk Jr., former 
training and operations officer at Williams Field, and his wife, Vivian Mae Wilk. At the time of 
subdivision, there were three already constructed homes on the land. The majority of the new 
subdivision consisted of ranch style homes on almost symmetrical lots facing north or south on 
the two east-west streets (W 8th Pl and W 9th St). 
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
Flying Acres rapidly filled with ranch styles houses, with most constructed in 1950 and 1953. 
The district characterizes population expansion and technological advances after the war. 
Represented building types and architectural styles include:
• few International Style
• Ranch
• Early/Transitional Ranch
• Styled Ranch (including French, Colonial, Tudor, and Polynesian influences)
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
The Flying Acres subdivision was recorded in November of 1946 and was subdivided into 36 
almost symmetrical lots with the help of civil engineer, W.T. Keplinger. The name, Flying Acres, 
was undoubtedly connected to Major Jake Wilk’s connection to Williams Field and it is likely that 
the early street names (Echelon and Mountainview Drive) reflect Wilk’s profession as well. 
The streetscape of the Flying Acres district is synonymous with other post-war neighborhoods 
constructed in the region at this time. Unlike Mesa’s original townsite, Flying Acres did not employ 
parkways. Rather, sidewalks were integrated directly with the curbs and gutters. The growing 
importance of the car is also represented by visually prominent driveways, garages, and carports.
When subdivided, the landscape likely included young trees, but over time, the neighborhood’s 
vegetation has matured. Today, front yards vary between grass lawns and gravel; much of the 
district, however, is surrounded by scrubs, plantings, and mature trees of pine, palm, mesquite 
and deciduous varieties, which together create a wide canopy of shade across the streetscape. 
Flying Acres Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2018
Period of Significance
1940-1957
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Fraser Fields Historic District is a well-preserved example of an upper middle-class ranch-style 
community, developed on farmland outside of the Mesa townsite after World War II. The district 
consists primarily of one residential subdivision, platted in 1946, and encompasses an internalized 
loop street layout. Fraser Fields is bounded by University Drive (formerly Fourth Street) to the 
north, East Main Street (formerly Apache Trail) to the south, Miller Drive to the east, and Horne 
Drive to the west. 
Initially designed as an exclusive residential area, Fraser Fields featured large lots and a mix of multi-
family dwellings placed strategically to buffer the neighborhood from surrounding commercial 
zones and major streets. The homes feature expansive façades, large steel casement windows, 
and generous lawns. The district is home to varied architectural materials, from painted concrete 
masonry units (CMU) to fired adobe, and a variety of Ranch style homes, epitomizing thoughtful 
craftsmanship and architectural diversity.
Architectural Styles and Building Types:
Developed in the 17 years following World War II, most residences in Fraser Fields are one-story, 
expansive Ranch Style homes positioned prominently at the front and center of their lots, with 
single- or double-carports at one end. Many homes in the historic district have maintained their 
original character due to the generous size of the houses and ample backyard space. Represented 
homes in the district include:
• Early/Transitional Ranch
• Classic/California Ranch
• Styled Ranch (including Spanish influences)
• Rambling Ranch
• few Minimal Traditional multi-family residences
Development Pattern and Streetscape:
Fraser Fields was originally purchased by Hyrum Smith Phelps in the early 1900s. He built the first 
house where "Bill Johnson’s Big Apple" restaurant now stands. Hyrum later sold the land to Dr. 
Jack Fraser, who eventually sold it to Passey Investment Corporation. It was subdivided in 1946 
as Fraser Fields. The Mesa Journal Tribune advertised it as "Mesa’s Most Exclusive Subdivision." 
The 80-acre development featured lots at least two-thirds of an acre in size—almost double the 
average city lot. These lots had at least 100 feet of street frontage and were 128 feet deep.
Fraser Fields represents the first major subdivision in Mesa designed for affluent and middle-class 
families moving from the city center to the suburban outskirts. The streetscape is a character-
defining feature of the district with its secluded loop street layout, uniform setbacks, and flood 
irrigation system that enables the growth of mature trees and broad green lawns. 
Fraser Fields Historic District
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic District: Designated 2003 
National Register Historic: District Listed 2010
Period of Significance
1946-1962
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Map 9: Fraser Fields Historic District
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Historic Landmarks
A historical landmark is an individual building, structure, 
site, or object that is recognized for its outstanding 
historical, cultural, or architectural significance. Unlike 
historic districts which are significant based on 
collective context, historic landmarks are considered 
significant individually, and therefore are independently 
designated. 
Generally, properties must be at least 50 years old and 
meet certain criteria to be eligible for designation as a 
Historic Landmark. For local designation, this criteria is 
based on the Mesa Zoning Ordinance, while National 
Register listing is based on criteria outlined in the 
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
Mesa is home to twenty-seven landmarks with historic 
designation, and many more considered eligible but not 
yet designated.
Thirteen of the twenty-seven historic landmarks are 
listed on the Mesa Historic Property Register (MHPR), 
four exist on both the MHPR and the National Register 
of Historic Places (NRHP), and fourteen of the historic 
landmarks are only listed on the NRHP. It is important 
to note that several of the NRHP listed properties are 
located within historic districts on the MHPR. 
Listing on the NRHP is honorary and may provide 
access to certain preservation incentives. Properties 
designated on the MHPR, whether in a district or listed 
individually, are within Historic Preservation Overlays 
which ensure exterior alterations, additions, and new 
construction are compatible with the historic district 
through the Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) 
review process.
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D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S - A P P E N D I X D
LOCALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC LANDMARKS 
Mesa's locally designated historic landmarks listed on the Mesa Historic Property Register 
include the following*:
1.	 Alma Ward Meeting House (809 West Main Street) 
2.	 Federal Building (26 North Macdonald) 
3.	 First United Methodist Church (15 East 1st Avenue) 
4.	 Irving School (155 North Center Street) 
5.	 Isley (Phil) House (412 North Macdonald) 
6.	 James Macdonald House (307 East 1st Street) 
7.	 Larkin Fitch Farmhouse (945 North Center Street)
8.	 Lehi School (2345 North Horne) 
9.	 Mesa Public Library/Information Technology (IT) Building (59 East 1st Street) 
10.	 Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (430 North Lewis)
11.	 Nile Theater (105 West Main Street)
12.	Ponderosa II (602 South Edgewater Drive) 
13.	Ramon Mendoza House (126 North Pomeroy) 
* bolded landmarks are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places

NATIONAL REGISTER LISTED PROPERTIES 
Mesa's historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places include the 
following*:
1.	 Alhambra Hotel (43 South Macdonald) 
2.	 Alma Ward Meeting House (809 West Main Street) 
3.	 Angulo-Hostetter House (150 North Wilbur) 
4.	 Buckhorn Baths Motel (5900 East Main Street)
5.	 Dr. Lucius Charles Alston House (453 North Pima) 
6.	 Falcon Field World War II Aviation Hangars (4800 East Falcon Drive) 
7.	 Irving School (155 North Center Street) 
8.	 Lehi School (2345 North Horne)
9.	 Sce:dagĭ Mu:val Va’aki (formerly Mesa Grande) (Address Restricted) 
10.	Mesa Journal-Tribune FHA Demonstration Home (238 West 2nd Street)
11.	Mesa Woman’s Club (200 North Macdonald) 
12.	Park of the Canals (North Horne from Utah Ditch to Mesa-Consolidated Canal) 
13.	Ponderosa II (602 South Edgewater Drive) 
14.	 Robert Scott House (2230 East Grandview Street) 
15.	Strauch Fuller House (148 North Macdonald) 
16.	Spangler-Wilbur House (128 North Macdonald) 
17.	 Sirrine House (160 North Center Street) 
18.	Williams Air Force Base (Multiple Resources) 
* bolded properties are listed on the Mesa Historic Property Register, either individually or 
within one of Mesa's locally designated historic districts 
Certain properties may be listed on both the NRHP and the MHPR, while others may only 
be on one register. Only properties listed on the MHPR, either individually or within a 
district, will require a Certificate of Appropriateness prior to commencing a project. 
However, property owners making modifications to properties listed only on the NRHP are 
encouraged to follow best practices and work with the Mesa Historic Preservation Office. 
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The Alma Ward Meeting House was constructed c. 1908 to serve an influx of Mormon families settling 
along nearby Alma School Road, in the area known as “Stringtown.” For nearly 50 years, the property 
functioned as a place of worship and a locus for civic and social events for Mormon and non-Mormon 
community members alike. In 1937, the Meeting House was enlarged, removing its original Mission 
Revival-style façade and subsequently redesigned in the Colonial Revival Style seen today. By 1953, the 
ward’s congregation had grown and was relocated to a new chapel. 
The property has exchanged ownership several times since, occupied by the Producers Life Insurance 
Company, Mesa Community College’s first campus, and various dining establishments such as Rouch’s 
Schoolhouse Restaurant, later renamed the Landmark Restaurant. The building's surroundings have 
evolved with the growth of the City, changing from a sparsely developed rural area on the town’s 
outskirts to its present environment characterized by busy arterial streets and multiple commercial and 
residential building types.
Alma Ward Meeting House (809 West Main Street)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2004
National Register of Historic Places: Designated 2006
Construction Date: c. 1908-1911/1937
Mission Revivial façade c. 1911 (Mesa Historical Museum)
Post-1937 expansion c. 1940s (Mesa Historical Museum)
Rouch's c. 1970s (Mesa Preservation Foundation)
Alma Ward Meeting House, view NW from S Extension Rd (2025)
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D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S - A P P E N D I X D

HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2004
Construction Date: 1936-1937/1960
 
The Federal Building was built as the post office in 1936-1937, as part of the Works Progress Administration 
program. The original one-story building was constructed in the Federal Moderne style and became 
one of the finest buildings in the City upon its completion. In 1960, a two-story addition and loading 
dock was added on its southern end. Despite the expansion, the post office moved operations to a 
new location on North Center c. 1970. The building housed offices for various federal agencies until 
it was granted to the City of Mesa in 2002. In 2018, Mesa voters approved a $7.4 million bond issue 
to convert the building into a dynamic community event space called The Post. The update preserved 
many architectural features of the building in the new design.
Federal Building (26 North Macdonald)
The Post, view W from N Macdonald (2025)
Post Office after 1960 addition (Arizona Museum of Natural History)
Post Office prior to 1960 (Mesa Preservation Foundation)
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The First United Methodist Church holds the distinction as being Mesa's longest continuously operating 
church, with the congregation in existence since the late 1800s. The church was designed by Martin 
Ray Young, Jr, who, in 1948, was the first architect to establish a practice in Mesa. Young designed 
more than 1600 projects in his career.
The church’s 120-foot steeple has been a part of downtown Mesa’s skyline since it was constructed 
in the early 1950s. The church presently on the Historic Landmark site followed two no longer extant 
structures, including a c. 1895 one-room brick building with gothic-revival detailing and a 1913 Spanish 
Colonial style church. Today, the Historic Landmark site includes the sanctuary and steeple, Stewart 
Chapel, and the bell tower atop the columbarium (mausoleum), which was moved to its present location 
from the no longer extant 1913 church. 
First United Methodist Church (15 East 1st Avenue)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2014
Construction Date: 
1951
Image of c. 1895 one-room church (First United Methodist Church)
Image of 1913 Church (First United Methodist Church)
First United Methodist Church, view SW from E 1st Ave (2025)
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Irving School (155 North Center Street)
The Irving School is remarkable for its unique blend of the institutional Federal Moderne Style with 
the residential Ranch Style, both popular yet divergent architectural expressions during its time of 
construction in 1936. The building was funded through the Public Works Administration and is one of 
the surviving examples of Federal depression era public works in Mesa. 
The school, named after American writer Washington Irving, was designed by the Lescher and Mahoney 
architectural firm, a prominent Phoenix architectural firm that specialized in the design of school 
buildings. It was built on the site of the “North School,” which operated from 1899 to c. 1935. The City 
of Mesa purchased the property in 1976 and it later became known as the Mesa Arts Center with a 
newly renovated auditorium for the Mesa Children’s Theater. Today, the historic school is home to Mesa 
Public Schools’ Creative and Performing Arts Center. 
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 1998 
National Register of Historic Places: Designated 2000
Construction Date: 1936
Irving School, n.d. (Arizona Museum of Natural History)
Historic Irving School, view SE from N Center (2024)
Old North School prior to demolition (Mesa Historical Museum)
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The "Phil Isley" house was constructed in 1922 and was originally located at 643 East Main Street. It is a 
classic example of a brick, craftsman bungalow. A motel was built on the original site in the 1940s, with 
the house serving as the office. In 2005, the house was purchased and moved to its current location 
(412 North Macdonald) within the Evergreen Historic District. The house sits on a flag lot and is not 
visible from Macdonald.
Phil Isley (1886-1962) played an important role in Mesa's history. He served as president of the Lions 
Club, the Hiram Club, and the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Throughout his career, he was the Maricopa 
County Treasurer, served on the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, and was a member of Arizona's 
State Legislature.
Isley (Phil) House (412 North Macdonald)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2016
Construction Date: 
1922/relocated in 2005
Isley House prior to its relocation in 2005
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Built between 1916 and 1918, this two-story vernacular building was home to early Mesa pioneer, James 
Macdonald. Macdonald worked as a police officer, farmer, and builder and was the son of Alexander 
Findlay Macdonald, Mesa’s first mayor. James assisted in the construction of the Arizona LDS Temple in 
1919. 
The MacDonald family occupied the house through the mid-1940s. In the late 1990s, the house was 
purchased by Diane Hughes and her husband, Darwin, who restored it into a wedding venue, known 
as the “Antique Wedding House.” Today, the property continues to host wedding celebrations in this 
historically rich home. 
James Macdonald House (307 East 1st Street)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 1998
Construction Date: 
1916-1918
James Macdonald House, view S from E 1st St. (2024)
Macdonald House following restoration c. late 1990s
Macdonald brothers, James is on far right (Mesa Historical Museum)
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The Fitch Farmhouse was built in 1933 and originally sat on over 400 acres of farmland owned by Larkin 
Fitch. The Fitch Farmhouse is an example of a Tudor Revival style house which includes a second story 
sleeping porch constructed with adobe bricks. The property is one of the few remaining examples of 
Mesa’s agricultural heritage along North Center Street. Over the years, the extensive agricultural land 
in this area has been replaced with residential, commercial, and industrial developments. 
Larkin Fitch played a prominent role in Mesa’s farming industry and was the president of the Mesa 
Farm Bureau and served as a member of the Council and Board of Directors of the Salt River Project. 
Fitch began his farming career on a small piece of land north of Baseline Road and went on to raise 
sheep for 20 years at the Fitch Farm, with as many as 1,200 ewes. The Fitch family donated part of the 
original farmland to the City of Mesa for a portion of Fitch Park.
Larkin Fitch Farmhouse (945 North Center Street)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2010
Construction Date: 1933
East elevation of Fitch Farmhouse (2024)
South elevation of Fitch Farmhouse (2024)
Fitch Farm and Farmhouse, view SE from N Center St., in 2001
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The Lehi School is built on land donated to the Lehi community in the 1880s by early settler Henry C. 
Rogers’ family. The main school building was constructed in 1913 and exhibits a mixture of Neoclassical 
and Mission Revival styles. The school replaced an earlier one-room adobe schoolhouse, a replica 
of which can be found in the front of the existing building. The 1913 school was expanded in the 
1920’s with the addition of two new classrooms and during the Great Depression, the Works Progress 
Administration made additional improvements, including the addition of the auditorium and annex 
building.
Despite improvements over the years, the school was condemned by the Mesa School District in 1976 
and slated for destruction. The City of Mesa purchased the site and resold it to the Mesa Historical 
Society in 1986, who repurposed the building as a museum. The property still operates as the Mesa 
Historical Museum and in 2025 the auditorium was renovated to house the Arizona Baseball Museum. 
Lehi School (2345 North Horne)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2001
National Register of Historic Places: Designated 2001
Construction Date: 1913/1939
Mesa Historical Museum, Lehi School (2024)
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Built as a library for a growing city in 1959, this landmark is one of several midcentury modern 
municipal buildings that comprise a portion of Mesa’s City Center. The building was designed by the 
local architectural firm of Horlbeck, Hickman and Associates, a firm active in the Valley following World 
War II. The building retains many of its original features including a floating terrazzo stairway, hanging 
light fixtures, decorative breeze blocks along exterior walls, and a portion of its distinctive wave-shaped 
concrete covered walkways.
By 1979, Mesa’s population had expanded to 140,000 and a new, bigger library space was needed. 
The library moved to 64 East 1st Street in 1981, and shortly after, the former library building was 
remodeled and converted into the City’s Information Technology Building. Today, it is part of Arizona 
State University's (ASU) Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center, known as 'The Studios.' 
Mesa Public Library / IT Building (59 East 1st Street) 
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2013
Construction Date: 
1959
Mesa Public Library building c. 1960
The Studios at Mesa City Center, following renovation (2024)
The building prior to renovation as The Studios (2021)
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The Mount Calvary Baptist Church was built in 1961 and is the oldest predominantly Black Church in 
Mesa. The church is located within the Washington-Escobedo Heritage Neighborhood and is significant 
for its association with the early settlement of Mesa by African Americans and the church’s long-standing 
influence on the neighborhood and City.  
The church was initially established as a mission and was led by traveling missionaries. Prior to formally 
organizing as a church, the congregation met under a tree in the front yard of the late Clara McPherson, 
wife and mother of the first Black family to reside in Mesa. Over its long history, the Mount Calvary 
Baptist Church occupied several locations and in 2006 relocated to Broadway Road. Today, the property 
is used by the Calvary Korean Community Church. 
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church (430 North Lewis)
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2002
Construction Date: 
1961
Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, view W from N Lewis (2024)
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•	
•	
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2023
Construction Date: 
1924
The Nile Theater was built in 1924 and served as Mesa's first movie house. The building was constructed 
by George A. Johnson, who utilized locally kilned Lehi brick. When it first opened, the theater was state-
of-the-art with an early air-cooling system, a large central stage, sloped floor seating, and Art Deco 
design influences with Egyptian motifs. The theater played a crucial role in inspiring the construction 
of other theaters in the Valley, including the Orpheum Theater in Phoenix, which was constructed four 
years after The Nile. 
A renovation of the façade was completed in 2018-2019 to reveal some of the building’s original 
architectural features including its brick exterior walls, glazed storefront, and historic windows. The 
Nile now operates as a music venue with a coffee shop, preserving an important piece of Mesa’s 
architectural history. 
The Nile Theater (105 West Main Street)
The Nile following 2018-2019 façade renovation (2024)
The Nile Theater in 1924 (Arizona Republican, Sept. 1, 1924)
Interior of the Nile in 1924 (Arizona Republican, Sept. 1, 1924)
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Ponderosa II (602 South Edgewater Drive)
The Ponderosa II House was built in 1962-1963 as a seasonal residence for actor Lorne Greene, who 
played Ben Cartwright, the patriarch of the Cartwright family in the popular 1960s TV series “Bonanza.” 
It was designed to closely replicate the fictional Ponderosa ranch house, thus its name Ponderosa II. 
The house is located on a prominent lot adjacent to the community’s golf course and is one of the most 
elaborate Ranch homes in Mesa. It is a highly stylized Ranch, evoking Old West design in the form of 
board-and-batten, wood railing, and decorative wagon wheels. The Ponderosa II was the first home 
built in the former Apache Country Club Estates subdivision, now referred to as Golden Hills and Arizona 
Golf Resort, and was the flagship home used in promoting land sales and new home construction. 
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2014
National Register of Historic Places: Designated 2018
Construction Date: 1962-1963
The Ponderosa II, view N from S Edgewater Dr. (2024)
Set for Bonanza showing the model Ponderosa
Ponderosa II builder, Nick Donato (left), his wife 
Iris (center), and Lorne Greene
An example of one of the western-themed plans available to purchasers of 
homes in the Apache Country Club Estates (ACCE sales brochure, 1963).
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Photograph of Ramon G. Mendoza (date unknown)
Mendoza's father, Ramon S. Mendoza, on Police Department in 1924
Ramon Mendoza House, view SW from N Pomeroy (2024) 
 
The Ramon Mendoza House was the home of Ramon G. Mendoza, Mesa's first Hispanic Chief of Police. 
The adobe home, adjacent to the Wilbur Historic District, was built by Manuel Flores in 1942. The 
property was acquired by Mendoza in 1946 where he resided until his death in 1999. 
Mendoza was born in Mesa in 1914, the son of early settler and former Mesa police officer Ramon S. 
Mendoza. Ramon G. Mendoza grew up in a time when segregation was still commonplace in Mesa. 
He attended the Webster School, a segregated school built for Mexican American children, and later 
graduated from Mesa High School in 1932. Mendoza became a police officer in 1942, was appointed 
Police Chief in 1969, and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1978. He served on the force for 
a total of 36 years. 
During his time with the Mesa Police Department, he attended the FBI Academy in Washington, D.C. 
and under his tenure the department became computerized, installed a closed-circuit camera system 
in the jail, built a new police headquarters, and brought police dogs on the force. Chief Mendoza was 
an active volunteer, supporting the Cubs Spring Training, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and the 
Sister Cities program.
HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Mesa Local Historic Landmark: Designated 2001
Construction Date: 
1942
Ramon Mendoza House (126 North Pomeroy)
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Mesa Historic Property Register
www.mesaaz.gov/mhpr
Mesa Historic Preservation Office
www.mesaaz.gov/hp
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places
www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalregister
Mesa Room at the Main Library
www.mesalibrary.org/research/mesa-room
Mesa Historical Museum
www.mesahistoricalmuseum.com
Mesa Preservation Foundation
www.mesapreservation.org
To learn more about Mesa's history and historical 
landmarks and districts, please visit:
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Mesa's Cultural Heritage 
C o n c r e t e s i d e w a l k s s t a m p s f r o m 1 9 2 0 r e m a i n i n t h e 
G l e n w o o d - W i l b u r H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t . 
2 7 0 1 N . M e s a D r . ( T h i s s t o n e h o u s e r e f l e c t s t h e 
a g r i c u l t u r a l a n d c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e o f t h e L e h i 
n e i g h b o r h o o d )
Appendix E - Heritage Neighborhoods & 
Other Heritage Places
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4 3 0 N . L e w i s , M t . C a l v a r y B a p t i s t C h u r c h i n t h e 
W a s h i n g t o n - E s c o b e d o H e r i t a g e N e i g h b o r h o o d
 1 4 8 N . M a c d o n a l d ( T h i s h i s t o r i c c a r r i a g e s t e p i n t h e 
W e s t 2 n d S t r e e t H i s t o r i c D i s t r i c t r e p r e s e n t s M e s a ' s e a r l y 
h e r i t a g e )
Heritage Neighborhood 
Recognition Program
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Washington-Escobedo Heritage 
Neighborhood 
 
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E . 6 T H ST.
E . U NI VE R ST I Y D R .
E . 5 T H ST.
N. SI R R I NE ST.
N. L E W I S ST.
N. PI M A ST.
N. PASAD E NA ST.
N. H I BBE RT ST.
N. C E NT E R ST.
N. M E SA D R .
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5 0 1 N . L e w i s , W a s h i n g t o n - E s c o b e d o C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n
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Lehi Neighborhood
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Map 3.1:Lehi Neighborhood Map
 
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2 3 0 8 N . H o r n e , B i g g s H o u s e i n t h e L e h i n e i g h b o r h o o d
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H I S T O R I C P R E S E R V A T I O N 
D E S I G N G U I D E L I N E S