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

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by MetalGrand

Hello all, I am looking for photos from the areas around Cactus, Thunderbird, Greenway, Bell from the 70's, 80', 90's.

Can anybody post anything they might have?

Thanks!

Here's 26th Street and Bell Road in the 1960s, looking eastward. As you can see, there wasn't much around there then. If you watch the battle scenes in the old George Pal 1950s scifi movie "War of the Worlds", the scenes where the Army fights hack against the invading Martians was in the desert near there, using the Arizona National Guard as extras.

The Wagon Yard Restaurant was still there until this year, when it closed and re-opened as Edelweiss Beer Garden, a German restaurant. It seemed to happen overnight, I drive past it most days and suddenly just noticed the change a little while ago - a "What th-?!" moment.

[Arizona Mike]

There was also an airport in the area at Cave Creek and Cactus Road until the late 1950s - North Phoenix Airport, built in 1947. It was an auxiliary airfield for Thunderbird Airfield #2 in Scottsdale. It had 2 dirt oiled runways that were shaped in a V-pattern, oriented east/west & northeast/southwest.

1949 aerial view:



On a 1952 Chevron road map:



1960 map, showing the street boundaries a little more clearly. The Valley Drive-In was nearby:



The land was sold for a new housing subdivision in 1960 and the runway and buildings were bulldozed over in 1963. Part of the runways still existed as late as 1970.

The above information is from the Abandoned and Little-Known Airfields of Arizona website: Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Arizona

[observer53]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

The Wagon Yard Restaurant was still there until this year, when it closed and re-opened as Edelweiss Beer Garden, a German restaurant. It seemed to happen overnight, I drive past it most days and suddenly just noticed the change a little while ago - a "What th-?!" moment.

I would have reacted the same way, I didn't know the Wagon Yard was gone. Years ago, I passed that place daily. I did actually eat there once.

[juke46]

My school grades K-6 were about a block South of the old Phoenix Minicipal Stadium at Central Avenue and Mohave. The school was Adeline Gray, with only grades K-6. When Spring Training was going on with the New York Giants (I think that was the team) they would let us in unless there was a actual Spring Training game going on. We got to meet guys like Willie Mays and others. They were really nice to us. When a game was going on we would stand outside and wait for a foul ball to come flying out. It was then a mad rush to get to it first. Our family used to stand outside and watch the fourth of July fireworks shows.

Many years ago they had an annual baseball or softball game between the Phoenix Police and the Phoenix Firemen at the "old" Municipal Stadium. We, as a family, always wanted to go really badly. Somehow one year, we had the money and went. We just walked to it since it was only a bit over a mile from our house. We got there, paid to get in and it rained. It was canceled. I don't know if we got a refund or not. I remember walking a long mile home in a hard, windy rain. We never got to go again.

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by Kpf1233

The original Tee Pee Tap Room is still in its original location at 41st St. and Indian School. The one by the ballpark is the second location. Best Mexican food ever!

Good to hear about stuff like this.

Can anyone describe in simple terms makes Arizona Mexican food different than others, like say New Mexico?

[Arizona Mike]

Time for some new (old) Valley photos I haven't seen here before:

1972 Bicycle raffle outside the student union at ASU - a very 1970s photo

[Arizona Mike]

Some of the "Go-Go" and "Topless" and "Genetleman's Club" joints of Phoenix circa 1969.

[Arizona Mike]

ASU Sahuaro Hall Dorm, 1970

[SluggoF16]

That's the dorm itself? Way roomier than Hayden Hall.

[slowesthand]

the old cinder block and board shelves....classic of the '70's apartment living !!