Located less than 15 minutes from downtown Dallas, the city of Mesquite offers residents the appeal of small-town life blended with big-city amenities. With a growing population of more than 130,000 residents, those moving to Mesquite will discover exceptional employment opportunities, superb shopping, an excellent school system and a welcoming community.
History:
Agent A.R. Alcott, an engineer for the Texas & Pacific Railroad, filed the first plat for the township of Mesquite with Dallas County in 1873. Less than two months later, the first train passed through the area. The train was traveling from Shreveport to Dallas and it caused quite a stir among the new citizens, for without the trains, they might never have come to Mesquite. In the 1870s, the town consisted mainly of a saloon, a blacksmith shop, a confectionery, the post office and depot and four homes. It would be 14 years before the town would seek incorporation. In December 3, 1887, an election was held in which 25 votes were cast for the move and 14 against it. Mesquite was the second community to incorporate outside of Dallas. As commerce expanded, citizens worked toward the creation of an official town square. In addition, a new brick plant opening caused many of the business leaders to want to replace older, wooden structures with more modern "brick buildings. Almost 30 years after the town's beginning, a public square became the focal point of Mesquite. Such a move opened more space for business and the town grew.
Economy:
A suburb of Dallas, the city Mesquite benefits from Dallas' status as the "Silicon Prairie." Mesquite has become a logistics hub for the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, but it also has its share of manufacturing and service-based industries. In eight years, more than 10 million square feet of manufacturing and logistics space has been constructed and leased to companies including Georgia Pacific, Unilever, Benjamin Moore Paints and the A.H. Belo Corporation. Attraction and creation by the City of Mesquite Economic Development Division is a matter of selling the strengths of the area and the community. With its business friendly elected leaders, location at the junction of four interstate highways, more than sufficient infrastructure and the use of tax incentives, Mesquite is attracting more and more business to its community. The offer of incentives is tied to an analysis of the impact on community services and to the goals of the community.
Tourism:
If you are looking for something characteristically Texas, you will find it in Mesquite. Enjoy professional rodeo -- the original American sport -- at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo, where bucking bulls and racing cowgirls will amaze you. Next, satisfy your cultural passions with outstanding musical and theater productions, along with amazing art exhibits, at the Mesquite Arts Center. Explore Mesquite's early heritage at the city's two brilliantly restored historic properties, and round out your day with shopping and dining in The Rows of Texas. Retail Row features Town East Mall, which offers has more than a million square feet of shopping space and includes such department stores as Dillards, Macy's, JCPenney and Sears and a blend of nearly 200 specialty stores. At night, enjoy one of the town's many quaint bars and diners, or take a short trip into Dallas for dancing and big-city entertainment.