Intro: In 1890 the practice of Polygamy was forbidden by The Church causing some families to escape south of the border to escape the laws. One family - the Le Barons - established a colonia in the State of Chihuahua while others became "Land Barons" here in the-then Territory of Arizona owning vast tracts of acreage that turned into real estate empires.
We were reminded of one part of that extensive history caught in the following headline over one 'shocking episode' that was followed up by a drowning in the floods on the Tonto River Basin by members of the same colonia that resulted in the deaths of three children.
06 November 2019
The Latter-Day LeBaron Family Here In Mesa > Shocking Road-Side Slaughter In Mexico Recalls A Long History
This is LeBaron Building here on Main Street before the City's Façade Improvement Program changed the exterior on the sidewalk frontage forever.
Way back in 1888-1896 William Johnson LeBaron was the mayor for eight years.
In a post on this blog from 24 August 2018 , it was noted that The LeBaron Building, sold last year, has a lot of history to tell how early Mormon family business owners - and six generations of their descendants - expanded into other finance and insurance enterprises, and real estate speculation here in downtown Mesa.
You can find out in the following official historic preservation sources:
1 https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/historic-preservation/robson-historic-district
2. https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/historic-preservation/evergreen-historic-district
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In an earlier post from March 2017, it was also noted that Milo LeBaron – LeBaron & Carroll Insurance - is on The Board of Directors for this organization that had Andy Biggs address a luncheon crowd, that listed one other family member along with 30+ other individuals and the companies they represent:
Way back in 1888-1896 William Johnson LeBaron was the mayor for eight years.
In a post on this blog from 24 August 2018 , it was noted that The LeBaron Building, sold last year, has a lot of history to tell how early Mormon family business owners - and six generations of their descendants - expanded into other finance and insurance enterprises, and real estate speculation here in downtown Mesa.
You can find out in the following official historic preservation sources:
1 https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/historic-preservation/robson-historic-district
2. https://www.mesaaz.gov/residents/historic-preservation/evergreen-historic-district
_________________________________________________________________________
In an earlier post from March 2017, it was also noted that Milo LeBaron – LeBaron & Carroll Insurance - is on The Board of Directors for this organization that had Andy Biggs address a luncheon crowd, that listed one other family member along with 30+ other individuals and the companies they represent:
01 March 2017
2017 East Valley Statespersons’ Luncheon – Sponsored by APSApril 19, 2017 from 11:30am to 1:30pm
ASU Memorial Union Ventana Ballroom
Dedicated to the PHX East Valley
The East Valley Partnership is a coalition of civic, business, educational and political leaders from Apache Junction, Chandler, Florence, Fountain Hills, Gila River Indian Community, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Salt River Pima- Maricopa Indian Community, Tempe and Pinal County dedicated to the economic development and promotion of the East Valley of Greater Phoenix, Arizona.
One more related post from the year before
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The one-story LeBaron Building, on the north side of Center Street just east of Country Club Drive and a Valley Metro Light Rail station platform, is likewise getting "a face-lift" in the neglected downtown area that now qualifies as an Opportunity Zone with long-term tax incentives for real estate developers, depending on the regulated improvements and use of the buildings. Looming behind is the tallest building here in downtown Mesa, the 15-story Courtyard Towers, an assisted-living facility.
Here are two updates (from 2019 and 2022)
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After the Façade Improvement Project
[image taken 15 Oct 2019]
It's next to the stark-white Oro Microbrewery where there's a sign painter up on a ladder.
There's a FOR LEASE sign by CBRE in front, along with a "Stiletto" piece of public art that has since been re-located to another location.
[image taken 15 Oct 2019]
It's next to the stark-white Oro Microbrewery where there's a sign painter up on a ladder.
There's a FOR LEASE sign by CBRE in front, along with a "Stiletto" piece of public art that has since been re-located to another location.
212 W Main remained a vacant commercial storefront for a while as you can see by the sign in front of the right portion of the original Le Baron Building now sporting a striped awning.
There's a new business there now - Gus's Fried Chicken
> 212 W. Main (now vacant and available for lease)
| Address | 212 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 |
| Parcel ID | 138-55-001 |
| Property class | Store Building - Commercial (1120) |
| Buildings on lot | 2 |
| Square footage | 6,464 |
| Year built | 1945 |
| Stories | 1 |
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> National Comedy Theatre
| Address | 214 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 |
| Parcel ID | 138-55-011 |
| Property class | Store Building - Commercial (1120) |
| Buildings on lot | 2 |
| Square footage | 4,900 |
| Year built | 1940 |
| Stories | 1 |
---- that's included in the video tour for this press release from the City of Mesa Newsroom:
Funding Announced to Help Downtown Mesa Small Businesses
April 19, 2022 at 4:38 pm
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> National Comedy Theatre
| Address | 214 W Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201 |
| Parcel ID | 138-55-011 |
| Property class | Store Building - Commercial (1120) |
| Buildings on lot | 2 |
| Square footage | 4,900 |
| Year built | 1940 |
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