The El Portal Hotel
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The El Portal, built in the 1920s on the site where Mesa City Hall now stands, was created to rival the luxurious Hotel San Marcos in Chandler. Financed through stock certificates purchased by local businessmen, it quickly became a social anchor in downtown Mesa, known for its lively bar and bustling restaurant. The hotel saw a resurgence in the 1940s, and by the 1950s its dining room hosted the popular KTYL radio program Luncheon in Mesa. During the early years of Spring Training, Chicago Cubs players also stayed at the El Portal. The building remained a beloved landmark until its demolition in 1972.
