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

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by Dave Bob

Sure they really worked! When I'd take off my clunky leather shoes and put on sneakers, I felt like Jesse Owens (or Ulis Williams, an ASU track star I recall seeing at a meet in about 1964).

Back then, two rival shoe brands (one of which promised to make you run faster and jump higher) battling it out in TV ads were U.S. Keds and P.F. Flyers.

They were both so simple compared to the high-tech athletic shoes nowadays. I could run a lot faster in them than I can now, but I don't think that has anything to do with technology.

You can still buy P.F. Flyers, BTW:

Sandlot Shoes: PF Flyers Center High Tops Black

If I buy a pair, I feel I should get the Jonny Quest Decoder Ring:


YouTube - P. F. Flyers Animated Commercial ,

that was promised to me, but which my family shoe store neglected to give me, as they did not want to participate in the promotion. (I'm still working grudges from the 1960s).

[Westside Willie]

Originally Posted by plusmiles

And that was/is Grand Avenue, still the same.

Speaking of Grand Ave., here it is as it appeared on a city map dated c.1950. Notice the population in the bottom corner. 128,841 (exactly)!. Also how the Black Canyon Freeway ends south of Van Buren.
Check out the Air Haven airport on Indian @ 27ave.
Can you imagine planes landing there now?

oh... and nothing other than Prescott exists north of Bethany.

[Westside Willie]

and since you asked...OK I know you didn't but Im sharing anyway.

Here's a match-up I did of 58th & Glendale.1917-2003.

check out the horse & buggy - simpler times man.

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

and since you asked...OK I know you didn't but Im sharing anyway.

Here's a match-up I did of 58th & Glendale.1917-2003.

check out the horse & buggy - simpler times man.

That's very cool, Westside Willie!

[Westside Willie]

OK. Im bored and the boss went home, so heres another to spark your collective memories.

My entire childhood here was essentially spent drooling over anything that had an engine & wheels. Models kits (cars only- ships & planes were for dorks) - slot cars (especially HO scale) - mini bikes - go-karts -doodle-bugs, Hot Rod Cartoons & CycleToons Magazine and - The Drags at Beeline.

Im an illustrator and when looking through my old drawings awhile back I discovered 90% of them were of cars and related machinery.hmm.

Anyway here's Beeline Dragway as seen recently from high above courtesy of Google Earth. Inset shows the timing tower which I understand is still standing there. Also a little montage of Beeline for you dining & dancing pleasure. enjoy motorheads.

remember this ? ....BRING YOUR CAMERA !!!!!!!!!

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

and since you asked...OK I know you didn't but Im sharing anyway.

Here's a match-up I did of 58th & Glendale.1917-2003.

check out the horse & buggy - simpler times man.

I like the fact that someone thought enough of that old building and kept it in use

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

That's very cool, Westside Willie!

I Repped WW for that post

[observer53]

Originally Posted by ArizonaBear

I Repped WW for that post

I tried, but I must have given him points recently already. Thanks for sharing, WW!

[plusmiles]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Bogart's was the first nightclub to really go over big in Phoenix. The place was full of posers...Then Malarkey's opened on Highland and 16th and knocked off Boot's...

Bogart's sure sounds familiar, I do remember going to Malarkey's place a few times.

[plusmiles]

Originally Posted by MileHighMadman

... the "Sprinkle Spreckels Sugar On Your Day" ad? ("Spreckels sprinkled daily / Will make you fancy-free ...")
MHM

Wow, my wife's parents both worked at the Spreckels Sugar plant in Chandler back then.