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

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by slowesthand

necker knobs AKA as sucide knobs were those spinner knobs that clamped on to the steering wheel. I think they are illegal now a days!

I could hardly turn a corner unless I had a necker's knob in my '49 Merc. No power steering and heavy car. the trick was after turning you let go of the knob because the steering wheel would spin back to straight; after whacking my elbow a few times I learned to keep away from the spinning knob. I always thought it was called 'necker' so you could neck with your girlfriend while steering with one hand (bench seats in those days, not bucket seats.) Or, the knob had a neck; take your choice. Actually, it is called a necker's knob so that would be the guy driving so he could put his arm around his girlfriend.

About the Westward Ho; it was the tallest building in Phoenix and people would get lost outside of downtown and look to the red flashing light on top to get their bearings. In 1949 the red light went even higher when KPHO put their antenna on top.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by AZJONN

Ok kids, who remembers osborn school

or sun valley bakery

picking up chicks on central ave.

Bobs big boy

first mc donalds.

Pete's fish and chips, ind. Sch and 44th.

And last what is a necker knob, spelling??


I think iam showing my age, az jonn

Pete's at 44th and Indian School is still there. No need to "remember".

[roosevelt]

Anyone recognize where this is? I don't think it is Phoenix. Stores are Security Stamps, Peggy's, King's, Blair Surgical Supply, Indian Village. 1959 grand opening photo of Bayless.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Anyone recognize where this is? I don't think it is Phoenix. Stores are Security Stamps, Peggy's, King's, Blair Surgical Supply, Indian Village. 1959 grand opening photo of Bayless.

Attachment 115044

There's a Ryan-Evans Drugs too.. those were often together with Bayless stores, in my experience. That's a tough picture... there's no mountains in the background to get a visual reference. There was a Blair Surgical Supply Co. in Tucson at one time, but I'm not sure there's any connection, as the timing may not match.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by observer53

There's a Ryan-Evans Drugs too.. those were often together with Bayless stores, in my experience. That's a tough picture... there's no mountains in the background to get a visual reference. There was a Blair Surgical Supply Co. in Tucson at one time, but I'm not sure there's any connection, as the timing may not match.

Probably Tucson then, thanks.

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Anyone recognize where this is? I don't think it is Phoenix. Stores are Security Stamps, Peggy's, King's, Blair Surgical Supply, Indian Village. 1959 grand opening photo of Bayless.

Attachment 115044

Roosevelt, that's Monterey Village Shopping Center in Tucson, at Speedway and Wilmont. In 1959, they had the following stores as of Christmas, 1959: A.J. Bayless, Blair Surgical Supply, Cox Bakery, Indian Village Trading Post, King's Western Store, Leeds Shoes, Monterey Barber Shop, Monterey Village Chevron, Peggy's, Roley's Men's Wear, Ryan-Evans Drug Store, Monterey Liquors, Security Saving Stamps, and Supreme Cleaners and Laundry.

Here's an ad from the Tucson Daily Citizen from December 5, 1959, for the grand opening of the Ryan-Evans Drug Store, which was in December 1959 after the A.J. Bayless grand opening.

[Arizona Mike]

Monterey Village itself had a grand opening November 19 - 29, 1959, so that may be when your photo of the A.J. Bayless was taken. "Mayor Karl," who was a kid's show host on "Kidville" on KOLD-TV in Tucson, made personal appearances on the two Saturdays of the Grand Opening.

The owner of Blair Surgical Supplies, Hugh H. Blair, was severely wounded in the Battle of Guam after he enlisted in the USMC in 1942 and left the store for his wife, Virginia Blair, to manage. He also fought in the Battle of Saipan. Virginia passed away in 1970.

[SluggoF16]

You beat me to it... I was trying to imagine O'Reilly Chevrolet to the west. The strip mall looked a bit like the picture in 1989 when I moved to Tucson, but it's unrecognizable now. Never did any shopping there except for a waterbed mattress in '89... I know this is the Phoenix forum, but it's nice to remember the other AZ city I lived in as well.

I don't recall any Bayless stores in Tucson either time I was stationed there, the first time was 1983. They closed in the early or mid 80s?

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

Monterey Village itself had a grand opening November 19 - 29, 1959, so that may be when your photo of the A.J. Bayless was taken. "Mayor Karl," who was a kid's show host on "Kidville" on KOLD-TV in Tucson, made personal appearances on the two Saturdays of the Grand Opening.

The owner of Blair Surgical Supplies, Hugh H. Blair, was severely wounded in the Battle of Guam after he enlisted in the USMC in 1942 and left the store for his wife, Virginia Blair, to manage. He also fought in the Battle of Saipan. Virginia passed away in 1970.

That's it. There is a Cox Bakery at the far left.

Here is another, 4610 N. Scottsdale Road. I still can't place the mountain though. No pollution I guess.

[AZBradley]

I think that is the "rear end" of camelback.