Mezona Memories – A Sentimental Journey

The MEZONA
An Old Friend
“The old soft shoe, a slapstick comedian, the banter of the minstrel—dipping and swirling of full skirts dancing to the lilting melodies popular in their day— the fever pitch excitement of a cheering crowd and battling basketball teams—solemn, sobering thoughts of counsel from religious leaders—the endless din of roller skates circling unceasingly around the hall—these are but a few of the moods, the tempos that have prevailed throughout the nearly half century that the Mezona, and before it the Vance Auditorium, has been the center of recreation and culture in Mesa.”
June 8, 1956—Mesa Tribune

This is the story of the Mezona building, from its opening in 1908 to the last dance held at the hall in 1971, from it’s origins as the Vance Auditorium though the exciting recreational center it became. Through the stories of those who were there, we learn of the culture of early Mesa. Thanks to Nancy Dana Norton, a great-granddaughter of John Thomas Vance and Sarah Indiaetta Young Vance who dreamed and constructed the hall that was so well known—The MEZONA