"African-Americans arrived in Mesa starting in the early 1900’s, but discrimination kept them from owning homes in the original town site. The first housing subdivision to welcome them as buyers, homesteaders and residents was the Mitchell addition created on the land North of University and East of Center Street.”
“Verde Vista surveyed and recorded in Sept 1916, but sales and construction started in 1920. Hispanic title, street names and lower cost lots show intent to be sold to Hispanics. Almost all buyers of lots were Hispanic.”
“As the community grew, the Escobedo Apartments were also built in 1941 in order to house the African-American soldiers who were stationed at Williams Air Force Base. At the conclusion of the Second World War, the City of Mesa assumed ownership and leased the apartments to low- income families.”
“From the early time of slavery to today the African American community has embraced the church as a symbol and site for inspiration; guidance and hope. The celebration of movement in the black churches has deep roots dated back to the first African Slaves in America. The Washington Park neighborhood had five churches.”
“The Washington Activity Center (WAC) was opened in the mid 1940’s; it was originally used as a Hospitality House for the Colored Soldiers living in the Escobedo Projects. Later it became known as the Colored Center to be use by the colored people of Mesa. It remained a segregated facility until it closed around 1975. A new structure was built in 1977 on the site of the former segregated school, Booker T. Washington.”
“My Grandmother, Josephine Espinoza, lives here for about 50 year. It is a place where we could go play, not worry about anything. We played baseball with the other kids until night. We never got bored because we also had swimming pools at Escobedo Park and we could also swim all day with other kids.”
The neighborhood had its own school, Booker T. Washington School, on Pima. The five churches in the neighborhood played an important role in the neighborhood for spiritual edification, community building, activities for children, and political activity. The neighborhood also had a few stores and its own doctor. While residents did go outside the neighborhood for work and shopping and other activities, much of their life centered around their neighborhood.