In recent days, social media platforms have buzzed with rumors of an alligator sighting in Riverview Park, one of Mesa’s tranquil lakes located at Dobson and Rio Salado. This park, frequented by countless children enjoying its various amenities, now seemingly hosts an alligator, as evidenced by pictures circulating on platforms like Reddit.

Unraveling the Alligator Mystery

The apparent alligator, however, turns out to be a replica, possibly strategically placed by the Parks Department. Despite its artificial nature, the reaction is noteworthy, reflecting Mesa’s longstanding sensitivity to anything alligator-related.

Alligators in Mesa: A Historical Oddity

To understand this sensitivity, we must delve into Mesa’s history, tracing back to the mid-1950s. Jack Adams, a young man from Christian Pass, Mississippi, introduced alligators to Mesa through his venture, Jack Adams Alligator Farm. This peculiar business, located east of the Starlight Motel, was a local attraction, earning Adams a spot on the 1955 episode of “What’s My Line?” for its sheer incredibility.

Alligator Farm’s Rise and Fall

For almost a decade, the alligator farm thrived, even selling three 10-foot gators to the Phoenix Zoo in 1962. However, Adams decided on a drastic career change in 1963, opting for the seminary and leaving the business in the hands of Dale Logiston, a reptile dealer from Texas. The charismatic appeal of Adams no longer drawing visitors, the business declined, and Logiston eventually abandoned it in 1963, leaving behind over 200 hibernating gators.

The Great Alligator Farm Raid

Seizing the opportunity, Mesa High School students broke into the deserted alligator farm, leading to the infamous “Alligator Farm Raid.” The teens, discovering the alligators were seemingly “free for the taking,” embarked on a weekend mission to relocate all the gators from the zoo enclosure to local lakes and canals. This audacious move garnered national attention, with Walter Cronkite reporting on the “town being overrun by alligators.”

Enduring Myths and Realities

The combination of myth and fact surrounding alligators in Mesa persisted over the years. The enduring legend suggests that, like Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster, alligators quietly inhabited canals and lakes, sometimes even appearing in unexpected places like toilets.

Mesa Today: Alligator Tales and Urban Lore

While the recent alligator sighting in Riverview Park turned out to be a replica, the incident reignites the conversation about Mesa’s unique history with alligators. The enduring allure of these reptiles in the local narrative speaks to the intriguing blend of fact and fiction that has shaped Mesa’s urban lore over the past six decades. Whether in deserted alligator farms or as replicas in city parks, the legacy of alligators continues to capture the imagination of Mesa residents.

[Image Source: Tribune Archive]