How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Glendale: double, house)

[pbenjamin]

For those of you keeping score at home, the Stewart Motors building has been the center of controversy. There is a residential high rise building being built on that property. The developer had wanted to tear down the circular showroom on the corner but reached a compromise where that portion of the building was retained.

And the homes that were being discussed at 3rd Ave and Palm Lane are in what is now called the Willo Historic Neighborhood.

[JackBond]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

And the homes that were being discussed at 3rd Ave and Palm Lane are in what is now called the Willo Historic Neighborhood.

It has aged rather well, unlike some neighborhoods in Phoenix. Gone is the 'Hefty's Market' 'Woody's El Nido' 'Rexall Drugs' and the 'Lucky Boy' down around 7th Ave and McDowell, and Central Methodist Church is not the hub it was 50 years ago, the City Library, no longer pink, looks tired and underused, yet some neighborhoods manage to maintain their character, regardless of how the city changes around them. 3rd Ave was once a 3 lane thoroughfare that ran north, with 5th Ave being a 3 lane thoroghfare running south. Now they look like sleepy residential streets in the Willo area... and who back in the day EVER thought Central Avenue would be a one-way street downtown? Besides that, at one time, Central Avenue was beautiful, with traffic islands with beautiful plants and palm trees running the length between McDowell and Camelback... it broke my heart to see that all ripped out and gone.

It has been mentioned many times in this 899 page forum, and it is very true, a former resident from the 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s, who has been away, will have a difficult time navigating their way around the city as it exists today. So many things just simply do not exist any longer, including many roads and byways. Some neighborhoods haven't changed at all, some have undergone such drastic changes they aren't even recognizable any longer. 4.4 million people... it boggles the mind.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by JackBond

It has aged rather well, unlike some neighborhoods in Phoenix. Gone is the 'Hefty's Market' 'Woody's El Nido' 'Rexall Drugs' and the 'Lucky Boy' down around 7th Ave and McDowell, and Central Methodist Church is not the hub it was 50 years ago, the City Library, no longer pink, looks tired and underused, yet some neighborhoods manage to maintain their character, regardless of how the city changes around them. 3rd Ave was once a 3 lane thoroughfare that ran north, with 5th Ave being a 3 lane thoroghfare running south. Now they look like sleepy residential streets in the Willo area... and who back in the day EVER thought Central Avenue would be a one-way street downtown? Besides that, at one time, Central Avenue was beautiful, with traffic islands with beautiful plants and palm trees running the length between McDowell and Camelback... it broke my heart to see that all ripped out and gone.

It has been mentioned many times in this 899 page forum, and it is very true, a former resident from the 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s, who has been away, will have a difficult time navigating their way around the city as it exists today. So many things just simply do not exist any longer, including many roads and byways. Some neighborhoods haven't changed at all, some have undergone such drastic changes they aren't even recognizable any longer. 4.4 million people... it boggles the mind.

3rd and 5th are still one way, unfortunately, albeit two lanes each. Come by at rush hour and tell me you think they look sleepy. There is a plan by the city to redo 3rd and 5th. South of Roosevelt they will be two-way. From Roosevelt to McDowell they will remain one way but be reduced to one lane with bike paths. There are Willo residents, myself among them, who, want to extend that one lane plan through Willo up to Thomas. Whatever changes occur will take years.

The library became the Art Museum and the new library is a modern structure at Central and Willetta. It unfortunately got damaged in a recent storm and is will be closed for the next few months.

[JackBond]

Here is a picture of my brother and I from 1957. We are sitting in the shade in front of our Grandmother's house at 309 W. Palm Lane. The landscaping has changed somewhat, but the window and shutter effect look to be unchanged over the years.

[Scottg135]

Hello Jim,

I just happened to stumble across your post. I worked at Reynolds for 5 years beginning in about 1978, plus or minus. I worked as a welder in the heavy fabrication plant. We made aluminum rail cars among many other things. I have fond memories of that job and it pains me to see that the building is gone. Do you know when it was demolished?

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Barbarosa

Since we were discussing dealerships. Here's a photo I found in an antique store. Read Mullan, 16 St. & Camelback. Nothing written on back, promotion? Pretty sure it later became Mel Clayton and torn down for new Camelback Toyota.
Attachment 188571

Attachment 188572

It did. My uncle worked for Southwest Auto Lease there at Read Mullan Ford.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Jim Cavender

any former Reynolds Metals employee out there? I lived in Phoenix for a few years in the late 70's early 80's, and worked are Reynolds Metals, made a lot of very good friends that I would like to reconnect with.

Originally Posted by Scottg135

Hello Jim,

I just happened to stumble across your post. I worked at Reynolds for 5 years beginning in about 1978, plus or minus. I worked as a welder in the heavy fabrication plant. We made aluminum rail cars among many other things. I have fond memories of that job and it pains me to see that the building is gone. Do you know when it was demolished?

Scott,


The post from Jim is from April, 2010. I'm not sure he is still around to see your question. You might want to try sending him a direct message through the site.

[JackBond]

I remember there were always big 'Grand Openings' almost every weekend back in the 60s. Shopping centers, subdivisions, car dealers... search lights were a big advertising device in those days. Of course we've discussed Wallace and Ladmo, who did so many of these events, as well as their own stage shows, but I haven't seen much mention in these threads of 'Kurt the Clown'(sic), who was also ubiquitous in that era. I haven't searched extensively yet, but there seems to be little about him on the interweb, though I bet there are some here who remember, and might even have a photo.

I know Lew King did 'appearances' in those days, among others. Who remembers?

[Andrea62]

I'm not sure if I can be of help or not.
But, we bought our home from the Nace's (Harry Jr) in 1967 and didn't sell it until 2015. What I find most interesting when researching history about Harry Nace Jr is that it never mentions his former wife (Marilyn) or their son Trey, I believe.
Anyway, his home was incredible with state of the art audio and visual built-in items that are still the epitome today. Sadly the house was razed last year to make way for 4-5 homes.
It was located on Central Avenue and Frier, just south of Northern. I had always heard rumors that Sr was found deceased in that house and only recently learned it occurred in downtown Phoenix. We always thought we saw his ghost there, in particular, in what was my bedroom growing up. Lol

Originally Posted by Whowasharrynace

Thanks for the great stuff. I have been conducting research into the Nace's for the past year and I have accumulated quite a bit. Fascinating stuff. I am looking for any pictures of the Rialto, Strand, Riverside Park, or anything else associated with the Nace family. The focus of my research has been Nace Sr. I have interviewed his granddaughters as well as others, but I have never seen much of what you posted.

I'm not sure how to post pictures here, but I have a few I could share

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by JackBond

I remember there were always big 'Grand Openings' almost every weekend back in the 60s. Shopping centers, subdivisions, car dealers... search lights were a big advertising device in those days. Of course we've discussed Wallace and Ladmo, who did so many of these events, as well as their own stage shows, but I haven't seen much mention in these threads of 'Kurt the Clown'(sic), who was also ubiquitous in that era. I haven't searched extensively yet, but there seems to be little about him on the interweb, though I bet there are some here who remember, and might even have a photo.

I know Lew King did 'appearances' in those days, among others. Who remembers?

Kurt the Clown tied a balloon to my mothers sweater while her back was turned, which got a laugh from the crowd but which angered the 3-year-old me. I started pummeling him and had to be pulled off by my mom. I've never liked clowns since.