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

[observer53]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

There were 8 Upton's, the one across from Good Sam was 1100 E. McDowell, I think the Spinning Wheel antique store was next door. Your Upton's was at 501 W. Thomas. I was wrong about the 7th Street Upton's, they made candy in the back, not ice cream. Their plant for that was on 5th Avenue, maybe in the back of the restaurant.

Thanks... I think I remember the 7th St one, too.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by observer53

Thanks... I think I remember the 7th St one, too.

The poor guy that ran the 7th Street Upton's had a tough time with the high school kids. Over the booths you would see hundreds of straw covers stuck to the ceiling. I did it once, the paper was much better quality and fit the straw more loosely. You twist the end and dip in your milk shake and blow. After a football game was a rowdy time. I saw some near fights and other kids throwing eggs at the window, and this was in the early 50's!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

The poor guy that ran the 7th Street Upton's had a tough time with the high school kids. Over the booths you would see hundreds of straw covers stuck to the ceiling. I did it once, the paper was much better quality and fit the straw more loosely. You twist the end and dip in your milk shake and blow. After a football game was a rowdy time. I saw some near fights and other kids throwing eggs at the window, and this was in the early 50's!

Straw covers, eggs....seemed pretty unruly then, but I can only imagine what they'd be dealing with these days if they were still there.

[wasit2ya]

I was the first grad class of Thunderbird High ,1975. I was in the adv.biol.class that got to plant trees and stuff

[Donalumni]

OK, since it's slow here I've found a neat site that, perhaps a few of you might find of interest about the early pioneer gravesites down in Phoenix. Of course, we all know roosevelt probably knew them personally ( j/k roosey)
Graveside Arizona

[desertratz]

Interesting site that takes you through Arizona on Highway 70 by way of vintage picture postcards from the 1920's - 1960's. The valley portion starts on page 4. A lot of places here that I'd completely forgotten about.

Historic U. S. Highway 70 Through Arizona on Vintage Postcards (http://roadsidepc.esmartguy.com/azroute70pc.html - broken link)

[twiggy]

Remembering the days were there was no Walmart just T.G.& Y, no CVS just a Thrifty drug, and no Chase bank was a "Valley of the Sun"! Aw, times have changed. I use to think T.G. & Y was the largest store I'd ever seen besides K Mart, and we only went there a few times a year.
Anyone remember your favorite stores as a kid here?

[observer53]

It was "Valley National Bank" not "Valley of the Sun". Banks have all changed names, often more than once, in the last 30 years.

T G and Y stores were fun, as were Woolworth's stores and the McCrory stores at the malls. (Thomas Mall, Tri City, etc.) Toy Cottage at Town and Country.

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by observer53

It was "Valley National Bank" not "Valley of the Sun". Banks have all changed names, often more than once, in the last 30 years.

T G and Y stores were fun, as were Woolworth's stores and the McCrory stores at the malls. (Thomas Mall, Tri City, etc.) Toy Cottage at Town and Country.

Let's see, there was Totem, Globe, Best, Gemco, Rhodes, Grant, Govway, Fed Mart, Woolco...............

[observer53]

Govway.... now that's one I haven't thought of in a long time. I remember one time the "V" on their sign didn't light up... so it read "GO WAY".