Temple Historic District

The Temple Historic District is located immediately east of the original Mesa townsite and is consists primarily of two residential subdivisions:

• Arizona Temple Addition (platted 1922)
• Stapley Addition (platted 1924) 

This district is primarily of residential with a few commercial properties, and a very prominent religious property for which the residential district is named, the 1927 Arizona Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the LDS Temple). 

The development of the Arizona Temple and the Stapley Additions marked a significant shift in Mesa’s community planning. While eastward expansion beyond the original townsite had been considered as early as 1910, it was the construction of the LDS Temple in 1927 that spurred the sale of lots and new construction. 

A notable feature of the Arizona Temple Addition is First Avenue, which was extended from the original townsite street grid. Designed as a formal, tree-lined boulevard, it leads directly to the LDS Temple, creating a visual axis that underscores the Temple’s prominence.  Homes built along First Avenue were considered prestigious due to their direct connection to the temple.

In contrast, the other streets in the district--Mesa Drive, Udall Street, and Lesueur Street--are narrower and more informal. They do not align with the original townsite grid or focus on the Temple. These streets reflect a more efficient and profitable approach to land subdivision, with long, rectangular blocks and narrower streets designed to accommodate higher densities and maximize profits from the sale of lots.

The introduction of concrete curbs, gutters, and sidewalks in the Temple District marks a shift from rural to more suburban landscapes. Tree lawns, particularly along First Avenue, were originally planted with shade trees, creating a scenic view corridor toward the LDS Temple. The landscaping in the district varies, with the older Arizona Temple Addition featuring dense, mature greenery, while the later Stapley Addition has more open and less densely landscaped areas. The absence of tree lawns in Stapley Addition, which helped separate the sidewalk from the street, reflects a shift from the pedestrian-friendly design of Bungalow-style neighborhoods to the more vehicle-oriented layout of Ranch-style neighborhoods. 

The Temple Historic District showcases a variety of architectural styles that reflect its 27-year period of development. Early styles include Bungalow, Tudor Revival, and National Folk, with most of these homes built between the completion of the LDS Temple in 1927 and 1933, when the Great Depression significantly slowed construction in Mesa.

In the years following, the district saw the rise of Minimal Traditional, Transitional/Early Ranch, and Ranch-style homes, which align with the economic recovery after the Great Depression and the population boom following World War II.

The materials and architectural details of the homes in the district also highlight the varying income levels of residents. Homes in the Arizona Temple Addition, particularly along First Avenue, tend to be larger and more elaborately designed, reflecting a higher economic status. In contrast, the homes in the Stapley Addition are smaller and more modest, with simpler massing and detailing.