A Brief History of Mesa, Arizona

Explorers and Apaches

Missionaries and explorers, including Coronado, Father Kino, and Marcos de Niza, came to Arizona (though not present day Mesa) during the 1500's and 1600's. A less known explorer was Esteban (also called Estevan or Estevanico), an African war captive, who searched for the city of gold.

The Apache, east of our area, drove the Spanish away in the 1700's. U.S. Army troops fought the Apaches in the late 1800's, opening the way for white settlement. Kit Carson and other explorers came through the Salt River Valley during the early part of the 19th century.