Marlborough Mesa

A bit of MM History

The Old Zanjero House

by ALMA JONES

This area has a lot of history -- much of it in the minds of the people who live here. Let me know of some things you remember most when you first moved here and I will put them in as they come to me.

For instance, DO YOU REMEMBER that where SRP now has its facilities on Alma School Road, that there used to be an old Zanjero (pronounced sahn-hair'-oh) House? Zanjero means ditch-rider. Some of these were "house camps" for the Yaqui Indians back in the 1930's and were located along the canals. A person known as a "zanjero" lived in and tended the release of water from the canal into a system of smaller waterways called laterals. The lateral brings the water to a specific delivery point where a zanjero opens the gate, releasing the water into your neighborhood.

Sadly, SRP decided to tear down that little brick house and their present building is located near where it was.

More History

by JESSICA BOND HUNTSMAN

We were original owners on Portobello (825) in 1982. (Lived there 13 years, then moved to Pecos). Portobello was the last street built for quite a while, as the neighborhood moved north toward Guadalupe. We lived on the south side of Portobello, and we looked over open field for what seems like a very long time.

There was simply nothing out here. We were so happy to find a place that wasn't so crowded. BOY were we WRONG!! It suddenly exploded.
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by RENEE' COELHO

Marlborough Mesa started building these homes in 1978, with phase one with homes on Portobello, Mollera, Wycliff, Wycliff Circle, and the western parts of Plata, Pecos, and Portobello.

There were four models available at that time, The Willow, Aspen, Beechwood and Tamarack. These models were the 1st FOUR houses on the south west side of Olla. Susan Brooks was one of the sales people for Marlborough at that time. All the funding was thru Beverly Hills Securities, which was a mortgage company owned by Marlborough Development Corp. There are only three other Marlborough Developments in the Phoenix area. One is in Tempe on McDowell (west of Scottsdale Road), one in Tempe on Warner between Dobson and Price (if I remember correctly), and one in Val Vista Lakes area. The company was then purchased by a Canadian Corporation, and no longer built in this area. They were one of the FEW builders that used totally block construction.

At the time our subdivision was built, there was a moratorium on Gas Usage (the shortage) which is why there are NO natural gas lines in our area.

Phase Two started in 1979 with Peralta, the south side of Posada, and part of the North side of Posada, Beverly Circle, Davis Circle, Extension, and more on Pecos, Plata, and Portobello.

Phase Three was started in late 80, early 81 with the addition of the two TWO-Story models. There were the Oak and the Palo Verde. I believe this phase finished out the subdivision. (there could have been phase four.. im not sure)

Also in 1981, the Marlborough Villas were constructed. They are the townhomes on the corner of Extension and Guadalupe.

At that time, all that was on the Alma School and Guadalupe corner was Safeway,Yellow Front, a Video Store, Mother's Bakery (all in the Safeway center), 7-11, Dairy Queen, and the SRP Valve Station. Soon after, the Mobil Gas Station was added, then the shopping center on the n/w corner. Nellos Pizza came in, then Taco Bell, McDonalds and soon we had our own little fast food mecca.

Dobson High School was finished in 1983 and was a 4 year school. In 1985, it was changed to a 3 year school. My daughter went there from 1984-1987, and was the last 4-year class to graduate from there, until it was reverted back to 4 years with the addition of the new Middle School. (I COULD BE WRONG ON THIS.)
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by JIM ANDREWS

This is some of the history I recall about Marlborough Mesa. It was built in 2 phases 1978-1980 and 2nd phase 1982-1985. Only 4 homes were built in 1981 and 82 as the interest rates were 18% and we had a concrete and copper shortage.

I recall riding my motorcycle on Pampa when it was dirt lots and small hills. The 3/2/1 buydown helped close out the the 2nd phase, Pampa to Guadalupe and Emerson to Extension.

The last house built was the old model homes parking lot that Tom & Karen Walker live in now. He sold out the subdivision and the Villas when he worked for Marlborough Homes. I started in Real Estate in 1982 and had a fairly good success rate even though the interest rate was high.

Marlborough homes have always been good for resale even in a hard market. I even Sold my old house 3 times over the years. Some other homes I have sold twice. When 839 W Obispo sells it will be #89. When I get to 100, we'll have to have a big party in the park or something.
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by JEANNE PRATT

When we moved here in 1979 there was a four way stop sign at Guadalupe and Alma School. The only thing on those corners was the 7-eleven. The only thing that existed at Fiesta Mall was Sears. It sat there all by itself. Most everything around us was farmland. If you wanted to go shopping or out to eat you had to go to Tempe. We never took any pictures. I wish we would have because the growth has been amazing!!!!

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by HANK MARTINEZ

My wife, Terri and myself have lived here since February 1980!! We are the original owners. We remember when we could see all the way to Guadalupe Rd from our front door! There was no Safeway, McDonald's, gas stations, etc. Our model, the Willow, was the largest house at the time … no two-story houses then. We thought we were out in the country!

Terri was teaching in Gilbert at the time and would constantly encounter sheep on Elliot Rd in the mornings and would have to wait for THEM to cross the road!