How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Scottsdale: vehicles, ranch)

[Arizona Mike]

I was saddened to read today that the famous neon motel sign in east Mesa of the diving lady was destroyed in last week's storm. They won't be replacing it, as it was hand-worked neon (the same artist also did the original Bill Johnson;s Big Apple sign), and new ordinances would not allow it to be rebuilt.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

I was saddened to read today that the famous neon motel sign in east Mesa of the diving lady was destroyed in last week's storm. They won't be replacing it, as it was hand-worked neon (the same artist also did the original Bill Johnson;s Big Apple sign), and new ordinances would not allow it to be rebuilt.

The new ordinances on signs go way overboard. Scottsdale was the first, people would rent a store and then find out they could not put up a sign that could be seen. True, the street looked better but everyone was going broke. I recall one sign on a bowling alley near Thomas and Scottsdale Road. It was huge and all 1950's looking. The city talked them into taking it down and they realized what a mistake that was. The only sign I can think of that is still in all its glory is the huge flashing Courtesy Chevy sign on Camelback.

[roosevelt]

That was the Starlight Motel in Mesa showing the diving girl, HERE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/63657451@N00/3474960651 - broken link) is a link to a photo.

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

The new ordinances on signs go way overboard. Scottsdale was the first, people would rent a store and then find out they could not put up a sign that could be seen. True, the street looked better but everyone was going broke. I recall one sign on a bowling alley near Thomas and Scottsdale Road. It was huge and all 1950's looking. The city talked them into taking it down and they realized what a mistake that was. The only sign I can think of that is still in all its glory is the huge flashing Courtesy Chevy sign on Camelback.

Wasn't that bowling alley just east of Scottsdale rd. on the north side of Thomas named Frontier Lanes? There was a Yellow Front store next to it. Wasn't there a Yellow Front on Thomas and like 48th St. on the SW corner? That whole area is gone as did the old original crosscut canal. Do you think the crosscut canal and the Crosscut Pioneer cemetery are linked by a family named Crosscut?

[AzSon]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

The new ordinances on signs go way overboard. Scottsdale was the first, people would rent a store and then find out they could not put up a sign that could be seen. True, the street looked better but everyone was going broke. I recall one sign on a bowling alley near Thomas and Scottsdale Road. It was huge and all 1950's looking. The city talked them into taking it down and they realized what a mistake that was. The only sign I can think of that is still in all its glory is the huge flashing Courtesy Chevy sign on Camelback.

Is the old Goodyear sign on I-17 gone ? When I was still living in Phx it was advertising BiddulphLand.I remember when it was still advertising Goodyear and would flash Go, Go, Goodyear.

[desertratz]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

I remeber that smell and the big wood vats you could see and smell especially. the song went something like (I think)

I liike Arnolds pickles
You'll like Arnolds too
The only thing that's better then
Is Arnolds pickles and you.

sound right?

I like Arnolds pickles
You'll like Arnolds too
The only thing that's better than
an Arnolds pickle is two!!

The hepatitis song ...................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGS_mnnTrQo

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by AzSon

Is the old Goodyear sign on I-17 gone ? When I was still living in Phx it was advertising BiddulphLand.I remember when it was still advertising Goodyear and would flash Go, Go, Goodyear.

I think it advertises Shamrock Dairy now....

I remember the Biddulphland sign made up to look like a Disneyland ad...fairly clever...

[azdr0710]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

That whole area is gone as did the old original crosscut canal. Do you think the crosscut canal and the Crosscut Pioneer cemetery are linked by a family named Crosscut?

isn't the Crosscut Canal named that because it cuts across from the Arizona Canal to the Salt River and the Grand Canal??...see map below

SRP: Canal distance calculator

[Donalumni]

Originally Posted by azdr0710

isn't the Crosscut Canal named that because it cuts across from the Arizona Canal to the Salt River and the Grand Canal??...see map below

SRP: Canal distance calculator

I always thought so too Doc. I was just tossing that comment out there. I grew up within yards of the new Crosscut Canal and spent many a day building tree forts amongst the Mesquite trees along its banks as kids did back in those days (probably had a few Playboy magazines in them forts!) when our mothers knew we were safe outside of thier sight.

[slowesthand]

Originally Posted by Donalumni

Wasn't that bowling alley just east of Scottsdale rd. on the north side of Thomas named Frontier Lanes? There was a Yellow Front store next to it. Wasn't there a Yellow Front on Thomas and like 48th St. on the SW corner? That whole area is gone as did the old original crosscut canal. Do you think the crosscut canal and the Crosscut Pioneer cemetery are linked by a family named Crosscut?

Yes there was a Yellow Front there on Thomas, I bought several items of camping equipt. there, still have the old Coleman lantern!
A story about that place... I was in there looking at tennis racquets one day, when an older gentleman who worked there said "if you're looking for one , I have one just like that, brand new, never used , half price" The deal was I had to meet him in a nearby parking lot after work. He was telling me all this very secertly ofcourse. ...HMMMM, I wonder where he got it from!
And yes... I bought it!