How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (pickup, outdoor)

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by observer53

All true. Pima may have used a Kachina, too, but I don't remember.

The Hopi's complained about people using the Kachina, especially Jim Beam bottles. Bob's Big Boy on Central and Thomas had a huge Kachina 'sand painting' above their entrance.

[jack swilling]

The posts on the POW camp in the Papago Park area brought back memories you may be interested in.

I attended St. Gregory's Elementary school near 19th Avenue and Osborn Road. I began first grade in 1950 and graduated eighth grade in 1959. It was the elementary school of St. Gregory's Catholic Church. This is the story:

The first Sunday gathering place of the church was the Mineralogical Museum at the State Fairgrounds. The State Fair began, so they had to move to the second gathering place, which was the main chapel of the downtown Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home. Now, it gets interesting...

Father Gordon, the pastor, heard about surplus barracks from the POW camp and that they were available, so he purchased, or acquired, one somehow. I believe it was loaded on a truck(s) and driven into Phoenix to the property at 19th and Osborn.
I suppose it had been collapsed.

That barracks building became the "third church." We also used it weekdays as our cafeteria. Later, when we had our "regular" church and cafeteria buildings, we used the barracks for a classroom. I attended fifth and sixth grade in that building and I liked it, because the "barracks," as we affectionately called it, had the best evaporative coolers and had that
"lived in" feeling. Sometimes an overzealous young scholar would punch his
academic fist in enthusiasm right through the inner wall of the edifice.

They sure built them in those days. Thanks for the memories.

[Westside Willie]

Does anyone have any old images of "S' mountain and the surrounding area in Sunnyslope - circa 1970? If so could you post a few?

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

didn't The Arizona Bank have the kachina mascot?....I think there is still a bank building on Scottsdale Road around Lincoln or McDonald that was an Arizona Bank back then, now another bank, but the classic kachina remains in stained glass in front

Pima Savings, mostly based in Tucson, was a victim of the S and L scandals of the late 1980s, though I don't think they were really a victim....just another S and L that got greedy.....

remember Western Savings and its trademark architecture?....many of those distinctive buildings remain in the state.....the old Driggs family of Arizona ran Western and also got a bit cocky and greedy, I think....

The Arizona Bank did have the Kachina mascot before they were acquired by Security Pacific Bank and later by Bank of America. I have used them for over 30 years and use the Stockyards branch office. On the back wall behind the tellers is a massive quilt, framed and under glass that has dozens of small kachinas sewn into it. It is a holdover of the Arizona Bank days and has been hanging there as long as I can remember.

Also, in this same branch are several old aerial photos of the stockyards and Tovrea's castle back when they were the only thing on east Washington street. The bank manager noticed I was giving these a severe checking out and when he found out I was an Arizona native, he took me upstairs to a small unused office that was crammed full of similar old photos and let me take my time looking at them. That was back in the day when banks valued their customers. I often think about asking if they are still there and would they let me take my camera and take pictures of them. I doubt they'd consider letting them leave the premises for copying.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

The Hopi's complained about people using the Kachina, especially Jim Beam bottles. Bob's Big Boy on Central and Thomas had a huge Kachina 'sand painting' above their entrance.

And we all loved the Kachina Theatre on Scottsdale Road. Nice place with elegance and really made a statement.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

Does anyone have any old images of "S' mountain and the surrounding area in Sunnyslope - circa 1970? If so could you post a few?

I have a few but they are copyrighted. Try the ASU special materials index.

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by Westside Willie

Does anyone have any old images of "S' mountain and the surrounding area in Sunnyslope - circa 1970? If so could you post a few?

Did you know that Sunnyslope has it's own historical society and museum?

Sunnyslope History

[Westside Willie]

Thanks for the info guys.

I was compiling a list of all the concerts I went to back in high school and beyond and Im having a little trouble remembering some of the acts / supporting acts/venues and dates. I cant imagine why I cant remember...its all a smoky haze.

Anyway - maybe some of you can dig out those old ticket stubs you saved and share with us some of the concerts you went to, say between 1965 and 1985?

I'll get us started:
Led Zeppelin 4/18/70 Veterans Memorial Col.
Allman Bros 9/23/73 Feyline Field?
Frank Zappa 4/7/1973 Celebrity Theater
Kiss 8/17/76 Tempe Diablo Stadium

I wasn't at this one but here's a shot of Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker (Cream) performing at the Travel Lodge ( Celebrity) Theater on 3/17/68.

Were you there?

Please help Willie- my memory is a memory.

[observer53]

I don't have the ticket stub any more, I don't think, but my "claim to fame" in that regard is seeing Elton John at BIG SURF (no, I am not making this up) in 1973. $5.00 a ticket.

[roosevelt]

I saw Gordon Lightfoot at the Star Theater about 1973. He must have been using a pickup band because I could read his lips and he was cussing them out to play better. Saw the Righteous Brothers at the Coliseum. Missed the Rolling Stones back in the 60's. I remember a lot of commotion in the newspaper when they arrived.