How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Tucson: flooring, permit)

[FadedGlory]

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

Good question. Hmm...I think I actually got it when I toured the Westward Ho.They have a sort of history room there with gobs of stuff about the area in general. Dont go there expecting a museum or anything-more like a stuffy office piled high with boxes and stuff.
I called ahead and asked to go up on the roof to get some pano shots of downtown Phx. When I got there the maintenance dude and his helper took me on a 2.5 hour long guided tour of the entire structure. Everything except the rooms where the occupants now live. They knew quite a bit about the history considering they were both fairly young. Among other things, I was shown an elevator shaft (see attached image) that was used to gain access from an underground tunnel that connected to a parking garage across the street on the east side of Central. They told me only VIP's had access to it including JFK and various movie stars and mobsters from bygone eras.

I shot several hundred images that day, here are a few.

Enjoy.

Those are some really GREAT photos of the Westward Ho. I was really glad to see that the pool and interior of the property is still well maintained. The Westward Ho has a lot of history to it.

I understand that the city is planning on demolishing the old Ramada Inn and using it for parking space, such a shame. I remember my dad telling me that Marylin Monroe stayed at the Ramada while filming "Bus Stop" (?)

[Magnum Mike]

Originally Posted by FadedGlory

Those are some really GREAT photos of the Westward Ho. I was really glad to see that the pool and interior of the property is still well maintained. The Westward Ho has a lot of history to it.

I understand that the city is planning on demolishing the old Ramada Inn and using it for parking space, such a shame. I remember my dad telling me that Marylin Monroe stayed at the Ramada while filming "Bus Stop" (?)

I'm not sure about the movie Bus Stop, but I know that the Westward Ho was shown in the beginning of the early 1960s movie Psycho.

[roosevelt]

Here is a color slide I have of a twilight shot of Central. I can see the Cadillac dealer, Jay's Coffee Shop and of course the Westward Ho.

[observer53]

The story in the Bus Stop movie involves the characters going from Idaho to Phoenix. Wikipedia says the "parade scenes" in the movie were filmed in front of the Westward Ho. So, I suspect that Phoenix was the location for at least part of the movie.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by Magnum Mike

I'm not sure about the movie Bus Stop, but I know that the Westward Ho was shown in the beginning of the early 1960s movie Psycho.

That is a common misconception, it was actually the Hotel Jefferson, at the SEC of Central and Jefferson.

[desertratz]

Hey Roosevelt!!! Where was this joint located?? I just don't recall seeing the place. Musta been quite a place on Saturday night because I see lots of references to this being the place if you wanna fight.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

There is no "Family" in the movie name. It is either "National Lampoon's Vacation" or simply "Vacation".

I apologize to all involved in this error of adding "Family" into the movie score National Lampoon's Vacation.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Here is a color slide I have of a twilight shot of Central. I can see the Cadillac dealer, Jay's Coffee Shop and of course the Westward Ho.
Attachment 68225

Wow Roosevelt. Such a good shot and must have been in the summer with the clouds coming.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

That is a common misconception, it was actually the Hotel Jefferson, at the SEC of Central and Jefferson.

pbejamin? Is this the girl from Leave it to Beaver? Wally's girl?

[Donalumni]

Yup, Penny Bejamin.