How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Globe: stats, hires)

[Jim 1946]

Originally Posted by 1937Gal

This always is the time I smack my forehead, yell DUH and wonder why I didn't keep some of those 1950 phone books...!! At the back of our high school year book there were pages of advertisers....and many times I will dash to my high school year books (1951-1955) to discover the name of the business I was desperately trying to remember. It seems to be the pub was just south of the small hotel on the southwest corner of Central and Osborn.

Originally Posted by roosevelt

There was the Vinton Manor at 3312 N. Central, I have a postcard of the place somewhere. Must have been close to the Pepsi Cola bottling plant at 3200 N. Central; they had a large curved glass front on the building and you could stand outside and see the bottling process.

Some other bars I remember are the Top Hat with its neon sign, The New Yorker, and 307 which later moved its location but kept its old address name.

Here is a link to a photo of Central & Osborn, does anything look familar. Low resolution makes it hard to see any details.

http://www.acmeron.com/puhs/87094.jpg (broken link)

[nlwrnc]

I was astonished at how clean, new and beautiful everything was. We settled in an area of South Phoenix where I wouldn't dare go now, but it was quiet and safe at the time--a working class neighborhood with lots of families living in neat small homes.

I recall the flower vendors stationing young ladies dressed in tuxedo coats and heels on busy intersections throughout the Valley.

I remember there was nothing north of Bell Road.

We used to go out after church on Sunday nights to the old Carnation Dairy restaurant.

I remember visiting sick family members at the Phoenix General Hospital on Indian School Road.

I remember my first winter 1984 as being one of the wettest on record. There was lots of street flooding.

Oh, and Entz White was on Camelback Road. It was the coolest store. You could always find great gifts there.

I remember discovering the charming little Christown Mall with the sand castles, Montgomery Ward, and the Boston Store.

I remember one of my favorite restaurants was near 40th St. and Thomas and was run by a Greek family. They had the most amazing menu!

The grocery stores were different too. There was Alpha Beta, Lucky's, and later came Smitty's and Fred Meyer. I think Alpha Beta later became ABCO, but I'm having trouble recalling the other chains in the area at the time.

[pbenjamin]

Originally Posted by nlwrnc

The grocery stores were different too. There was Alpha Beta, Lucky's, and later came Smitty's and Fred Meyer. I think Alpha Beta later became ABCO, but I'm having trouble recalling the other chains in the area at the time.

Smitty's was here before you were (1964). Some of the ABCO stores became Desert Market. There were still some AJ Bayless stores around in 1984, I think. Smith's and Albertson's had not arrived yet. Basha's, Fry's and Safeway were here in those days.

[Westside Willie]

You can see the fence where Penney's is about to be built.

Not sure If I've already posted this but here it is anyhow.
Washington and 4th Ave in 1958.
The Fox is on the right.

No trash in the street.
No graffiti.
No traffic congestion.
Looks like you could probably have a picnic in the middle of the street.
I love the design of this building!

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Jim 1946

Here is a link to a photo of Central & Osborn, does anything look familar. Low resolution makes it hard to see any details.

http://www.acmeron.com/puhs/87094.jpg (broken link)

I see Vinton Manor and the Pepsi plant lower left; there are two blocks of vacant land below Osborn. Helsing's is on the other corner.

[roosevelt]

[quote=Westside Willie;19124957]
You can see the fence where Penney's is about to be built.

Not sure If I've already posted this but here it is anyhow.
Washington and 4th Ave in 1958.
The Fox is on the right.


This is 2nd Street and Washington. I see a Chrysler 300, powerful car but maintenance problems.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by pbenjamin

Smitty's was here before you were (1964). Some of the ABCO stores became Desert Market. There were still some AJ Bayless stores around in 1984, I think. Smith's and Albertson's had not arrived yet. Basha's, Fry's and Safeway were here in those days.

Safeway was here in the 30's, all their stores were Spanish design and looked like a big Taco Bell. One has survived near 7th Street and Roosevelt, it is now an office building.

[baby sinister]

One of my favorite moments from Wallace and Ladmo...


YouTube - Wallace And Ladmo

[1937Gal]

Originally Posted by desertskies

I'd make a note to get a slice of pepperoni pizza at the Woolworths lunch counter. I remember a New York gentleman who owned a book and newspaper store about three doors west of Woolworths on Washington St. Made a mistake of "reading" one of his newspapers on display and he told me to buy it or leave.
Downtown Phoenix showed character and charm. A literal oasis in the desert. To see how it was then (appearance), just watch Clint Eastwoods "Gauntlet". The buildings pre-US Airways Arena/Chase Field are prominent in some shots.

My first job after school was at Woolworths. My Uncle worked there and went on to higher management in the FW Woolworth family. I remember that wonderful lunch counter, the open faced turkey sandwich with gravy and mashed potatoes and oh my the wonderful malts or milk shakes that were served in those wonderful silver containers. They would pour some of the milk shake in a glass and you kept the cold container until it was completely empty of contents.

[1937Gal]

Originally Posted by Jim 1946

Here is a link to a photo of Central & Osborn, does anything look familar. Low resolution makes it hard to see any details.

http://www.acmeron.com/puhs/87094.jpg (broken link)

It was indeed Vinton Manor. My high school friend's grandparents owned the motel and she and sisters worked there after school. I always give a big thanks to Ron Heberlee for the wonderful photo site at Acmeron. When I look at this photograph, I see the Firestone Building south of Osborn on the East side of Central...and the vacant lot just to the south of it. Later that lot would become the Southern AZ Bank Building which then became the home for Surety Savings and Loan where I worked. Just north of Firestone was a title company. Oh this brings back such memories. Thanks for the photo post.