What is the Evergreen Historic District in Mesa, AZ?

If you’re looking for a historic neighborhood with charm, character, and diversity, you might want to check out the Evergreen Historic District in Mesa, Arizona. This neighborhood, which dates back to the early 20th century, is one of the first upper-middle class suburbs in Mesa, and features a variety of architectural styles, from Craftsman bungalows to Ranch houses. It features homes with large lots with homes setback 30 feet from the street and giant Arizona cypress trees (hence the name Evergreen District)  lining the streets. But what makes this neighborhood even more special is how it has evolved and adapted over the years, especially after the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act in 1968, which prohibited discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, and other protected characteristics. In this blog post, we’ll explore how the Evergreen Historic District has changed since then, and what it means for the residents and the community today.

The Evergreen Historic District consists of subdivisions that were platted beyond the original town site of Mesa. This process of subdivision outside the original town site was an important factor in the expansion of Mesa. The Evergreen Historic District is significant for its association with the development of a cohesive neighborhood of middle and upper class families in Mesa from 1910 to 1948. Most of the buildings in the historic district were built between 1910 and 1948 within two subdivisions that encompass most of the Evergreen Historic District, between Center St and Country Club Dr and University Dr and 2nd St. 

This history of this beautiful neighborhood is sordid, but as they say, those who ignore history will not learn from it. Let’s learn how this community went from systemic racism to inclusive diversity. At the turn of the 20th century, the developers of the North Evergreen Subdivision had the intention of creating an exclusive residential subdivision. To accomplish this, the developers reinforced the exclusivity of the subdivision through deed restrictions. Restrictions that applied to buildings included 30-foot setbacks, and minimum home costs of from $1,000 to $1,500. Uses such as saloons, blacksmiths, stables, and stores were prohibited. The deed restrictions also applied to property owners as well. The original deeds stated that the property could not be sold, leased, or rented to anyone who was not of the Caucasian race, except for domestic servants. As horrible as this is, this was a common practice at the time, known as racial covenants, which were used to maintain segregation and prevent minorities from accessing certain neighborhoods. 

Fortunately, the Federal Fair Housing Act , enacted in 1968, a landmark civil rights legislation that aimed to end discrimination in housing, effectively stopped the discrimination in the district. The act prohibited discrimination in the sale, rental, financing, or advertising of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin. The act was later amended in 1988 to add disability and familial status as protected characteristics, and to strengthen the enforcement provisions.

The Evergreen Historic District is a unique and historic neighborhood that reflects the history and diversity of Mesa. Since the passage of the Federal Fair Housing Act, the neighborhood has become more inclusive and welcoming to people of different backgrounds and identities. One of the border streets of the district has been dubbed Martin Luther King Jr, St and is where celebrations of the activist are held annually in downtown Mesa. The residents of the Evergreen Historic District enjoy the benefits of living in a neighborhood with a rich history, a vibrant community, and a beautiful environment. The Evergreen Historic District is not just a place to live, but a place to belong.

If you are interested in buying or selling a home in this gorgeous area, please contact Heidi Jakubowski at 480-757-7402.