The modern history of the City of Mesquite began in the mid 1800’s as much of the West was being explored and settled. The Old Spanish Trail and the Mormon Road passed through Mesquite along the Virgin River. The earliest European-American settlements in the region, such as St. George and Las Vegas, sprang up as Mormon outposts at water sources along the trail. Then in 1880 a small group of pioneers, under the direction of their leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tried to irrigate and settle the Mesquite Flats on the Virgin River.
After just a few years flash floods destroyed the pioneers’ network of irrigation canals and ditches and the devastated the community was abandoned. A second group, the Dudley Leavitt family, tried in 1887 to resettle Mesquite Flats. Leavitt, with his 5 wives and all 39 of his living children, eventually departed after struggling for 4 years.
The third time was a charm. In 1894 six young families from nearby Bunkerville rebuilt the irrigation canal and established themselves permanently. Soon the successful town attracted more settlers and the name was shortened to Mesquite.
For a time raisins were the main cash crop in the community. As the automobile grew in popularity Mesquite entrepreneurs opened motels and campgrounds for travelers and tourists. Tourists increased the demand for agricultural products, such as milk and eggs, and surpluses soon made their way to markets in Las Vegas. Dairies dominated the landscape for much of the late 20th century.
Significant changes came to Mesquite after the completion of Interstate Highway 15 in the 1970’s. The Western Village Motel was sold in the early 1980’s to become the Peppermill Hotel and Casino, later known as the Oasis. Momentum gathered in 1984 as the town incorporated and the City Council began to lay plans for growth. In the early 1990’s Primex Plastics began manufacturing operations, the Virgin River Hotel opened its doors, and the Mesquite Vistas master-planned community began developing. In the next few years other resort hotels and golf course communities were established.
