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

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by Jim 1946

From June 1977 Phoenix Gazette, K-Mart & FedMart ad.

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Thanks for posting that. I remember the FedMart at 48th street and McDowell, just north of East High School. There was a service station on the corner as well, not sure if it was a Chevron or such or part of Fedmart.

[hotashell]

anyone remember o'malleys?

[chaparrito]

O'Malley's Lumber? Sure. What a great lumberyard and hardware.

[1937Gal]

Originally Posted by chaparrito

O'Malley's Lumber? Sure. What a great lumberyard and hardware.

Great memory post. I did a lot of shopping at O'Malley Lumber but also, I worked for many years for the O'Malley-Pickrell Mortgage Company.In my '63 Phoenix phone book I found around 18 O'Malley businesses.

[cgangst]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

I have plenty of photos showing Phoenix of the 1940's packed with people. One problem was parking, very few parking lots and street parking but that is not what happened. I think the rise of bully teenagers after school started a bad experience downtown. The stores started moving out to Park Central and Chris-Town. Plus the city tore down historic buildings and built office buildings with no retail and at the same time left the vagrants, soup kitchens and blood banks.

On a lighter note, where was the El Rancho Motor Hotel and what is that car behind the bush? Kinda looks like a Ford but has a "V" on the hood.

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People, we are approaching 500,000 views on this Phoenix memories forum, better than any other city.

Hi,
The El Rancho was on Van Buren and 13th Avenue. My parents bought it in 1960 and managed it for many years. It was a nice area when they bought it. We lived on property initially. I walked to Grace Court Elementary School for grades 3-12 and played at nearby University Park. My siblings and I got to watch first hand the decline of the area.

[jukebox47]

Originally Posted by 1937Gal

Great memory post. I did a lot of shopping at O'Malley Lumber but also, I worked for many years for the O'Malley-Pickrell Mortgage Company.In my '63 Phoenix phone book I found around 18 O'Malley businesses.

We used to go to St. Mary's church (downtown Phoenix) and every Sunday they had a small bulletin of events and such for the church. I always remember, for years, O'Malleys took care of the cost of that bulletin. There was even an O'Malleys in Sun City, maybe about 99th Ave and Grand. Sometimes at estate sales I still find old items with the O'Malley's price tags.

[KYA797]

Originally Posted by Arizona Mike

Thanks for posting that. I remember the FedMart at 48th street and McDowell, just north of East High School. There was a service station on the corner as well, not sure if it was a Chevron or such or part of Fedmart.

My dad and I actually went to the Arizona Room at Burton Barr the other day to look at the Cole Directories(among other things) and found that at 41st St and McDowell there was a Chevron so that might be what you were thinking of? Unfortunately it predates me somewhat so I can't speak from personal experience.

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by KYA797

My dad and I actually went to the Arizona Room at Burton Barr the other day to look at the Cole Directories(among other things) and found that at 41st St and McDowell there was a Chevron so that might be what you were thinking of? Unfortunately it predates me somewhat so I can't speak from personal experience.

That wasn't the one I was think of (I think) I'm pretty sure there was a gas station on the southwest corner of the FedMart lot (which was on the northeast corner of McDowell and 48th street). I remember being in a car with some girls from my high school, they had an engine problem and we stopped there and they got it running for free. I should check the Maricopa aerial photo database for that year to see if I'm correct in my memory.

[Applegate8]

FedMart had its own gas stations. There was one at the 48th and McDowell location as well as at the Grand and Osborn location. I also used to buy gas at the FedMart in Yuma on my way to and from San Diego. Also at the FedMart in San Diego off of I-5 near the Sports Arena.

[Arizona Mike]

Originally Posted by Applegate8

FedMart had its own gas stations. There was one at the 48th and McDowell location as well as at the Grand and Osborn location. I also used to buy gas at the FedMart in Yuma on my way to and from San Diego. Also at the FedMart in San Diego off of I-5 near the Sports Arena.

Cool! I thought I remembered that. Don't know why it sticks out in my memory, except that I wanted to impress those girls with my prowess with cars and felt upstaged by the mechanics (who were actually doing a nice thing for us...) Thanks, Applegate8! VU!