First settled in the pre-Columbian era by the Hohokam tribe, Mesa didn't interest succeeding explorers until rumors of gold attracted eager prospectors to the area in the 1860s. In 1877, a party of Mormons began to homestead and took advantage of the irrigation canals the Hohokam had constructed. From this initial settlement, Mesa has grown into Arizona's third-largest city. Southeast of Phoenix, the rapidly developing area is now recognized for its shopping malls and its focus on technology industries. It rests at the convergence of highways 60, 70, 80 and 89, making it a crossroads for motorists and the site of many motels. Mesa, which means table in Spanish, gained its name from the area's flat terrain. The city is also home to the Chicago Cubs training center each spring.