Oral history interview with John Lovell Hibbert 1981 (Part 1)

Hibbert was born in Mesa at corner of Morris and Second Avenue and married Ruth Hansen in 1932 at the Arizona Temple. He describes what Mesa was like growing up with no running water no electricity and dusty streets. He talks about his siblings and his parents who were very active in the Mormon church. Hibbert discusses his education and mentions his graduation from Mesa High School in 1922. He names every person in his graduating class. He recalls going to Phoenix for a parade when Arizona became a state and his first ride in a car owned by O.S. Stapley. Hibbert remembers watching long mule trains pull wagons and later Pierce Arrow trucks taking equipment and materials to build Roosevelt Dam. He also remembers being present for Theodore Roosevelt's speech on steps of Mesa High School when Roosevelt came to Arizona to dedicate the dam.