About the Book

Take from the "Foreword" chapter:

"The Las Sendas History Project began as an effort to answer two simple questions:

1)      What was here before the master planned community?

2)      How did this beautiful place come about?

Curiosity and appreciation regarding Las Sendas motivated the effort. The concept of writing a history book of Las Sendas today became a reality in the fall of 202.

The starting point was a book given to the team by Gary Underwood, written by Dr. Ben Furlong, entitled Las Sendas Where the River Meets the Valley. The Mesa Historical Society and Museum published Dr. Furlong's book in 2005.

Dr. Furlong had been commissioned by one of the early developers in Las Sendas to write a history of the area. His account describes the formation of the Salt River Valley, some of the early settlers in the area and an introduction to the Guest Ranch. His account ends with a one-page description of Las Sendas.

The LSHP project team determined that there was much more that could be added to the story of Las Sendas. 

The Mesa Historical Society and Museum also confirmed that there was very little, if any, information on file for Northeast Mesa beyond Gilbert Road and supported the project’s goal. 

The timing seemed appropriate. Interestingly, 2012 also marks the 100-year anniversary celebration of Arizona's statehood. The state as a whole was taking time to "look back" and celebrate how far it had come. With that in mind, the LSHP team set forth to research the property now known as Las Sendas from 1912 - 2012 and established a publication goal that coincided with Arizona's Centennial.

The project objective was to discover more details about the first owners and the ranch that pre-dated the development. Then, add the details of how Las Sendas took shape including its unique features and influences that played a key role along the way.

The result is a book that not only captures a historical glimpse of the early day, but also carries the reader through residential and commercial development to current time. Fittingly, the book ends with a robust description of 'Las Sendas Today' (2012)"

Acknowledgments

Taken from the "Acknowledgments" Chapter

"This book is the result of the work done by the Las Sendas History Project (LSHP) team. A group of eleven volunteer, amateur historians worked for 18 months to research and write a history of Las Sendas. 

In addition to the team, the project benefitted from the direct contributions of over 100 people who shared their photographs, documents and memories

The LSHP would like to extend a special thank you to Bonna Beaugureau Damme and the Beaugureau family for their support of this project. Project research included interviews with four of the six Beaugureau siblings. The Beaugureau children appreciate their unique experience ce of growing up on an Arizona Guest Ranch and spoke lovingly and proudly of their parents (Robert Sr. and Nonna) who were, at one time, the largest property owners of the future Las Sendas

Other meaningful contributions came from early developers, Gary Walker and Buddie Johnson, who generously shared their memories of the property and articulated the goals for its early development specific to the golf course, the statues and the carillon.

Jeff Blandford, President and Owner of Blandford Homes, LLC, also shared reflections, photos and specifics about his goals and vision for how Las Sendas took shape and was finalized

William Puffer, President of Spook Hill Neighborhood Action Association, provided significant details and historical perspective covering over 21 years of area development. 

Alice Jung, Collections Manager for the Mesa Historical Society and Museum, validated the project concept with encouragement, process information and technical support. 

The LSHP project was conducted in cooperation with the Mesa Historical Society and Museum (MHSM). All of the research, including photographs, has been given to the museum and is available to the public

This book is available for sale through the MHSM located at 2345 N Horne Street in Mesa, Arizona. More information on the MHSM can be found at: mesamuseum.org"