The Alston House Project
The East Valley Garden Club helped restore the grounds of the Alston House to simulate Dr. Alstons garden when he lived there. Carlos Hidalgo and Trevor Paterson, aspiring Eagle Scouts, and many of their scouting friends helped with the landscape as their Eagle projects. The landscaping turned out very nicely. The grand opening of the Alston House was held on 15-16 April.
May 2008
It is a small house loaded with historical significance. Built in the 1920's, it was both home and office of Dr. Lucius Alston, the first African-American doctor to practice in Mesa. During an era of segregation, Dr. Alston and his wife, Velma, a nurse, treated members of the African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian communities. The city of Mesa acquired the house in 2007 from Valley of the Sun Habitat for Humanity in a swap of land parcels. When the Alston House project is completed, the house will be leased to the Mesa Association of Hispanic Citizens and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee for office and community space. The Grand Opening is scheduled for 1-2 April 20111
