How do you remember Phoenix? Stories from long time residents... (Paradise Valley: to stay, friends)

[roosevelt]

Originally Posted by jukebox47

Does anyone remember the Litchfield Naval Air Station? In the fifties we would drive to the Estrella Mountains for picnics and hiking etc. We passed the Naval Station where thousands of mothballed military aircraft were stored. They went as far as one could see. All shapes and sizes. Some had names and personal markings such as the military allowed. The site was closed and some aircraft were sent to other storage facilities but many, most, were smelted right there. Years ago we were in the area and all that remained was a huge mountain of slag from the smelting process. Here is a link to a picture of some of the aircraft that once lived there. The pictures do not give provide the enormity of that storage facility. It was BIG!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...views_1959.jpg

I can remember after WWII the number of aircraft parked in long rows. Some of those are now worth millions of dollars. I swear I used to go to midget car races out in that area with my uncle but cannot remember where.

[roosevelt]

Christmas in Phoenix in the 1950's, maybe someone recognizes where the photo was taken.

Merry Christmas everyone.

[chaparrito]

Originally Posted by roosevelt

Christmas in Phoenix in the 1950's, maybe someone recognizes where the photo was taken.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Attachment 122797

Looks sorta like the Papago buttes in the background, and that marker rings some kind of bell, but I have been eating way too much pecan pie and had more than my share of Anchor Porters, so how in the world would I know??
Merry Christmas!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by chaparrito

Looks sorta like the Papago buttes in the background, and that marker rings some kind of bell, but I have been eating way too much pecan pie and had more than my share of Anchor Porters, so how in the world would I know??
Merry Christmas!

I haven't been overindulging on pie or beer, and I agree.

[AZBradley]

Originally Posted by jukebox47

Does anyone remember the Litchfield Naval Air Station? In the fifties we would drive to the Estrella Mountains for picnics and hiking etc. We passed the Naval Station where thousands of mothballed military aircraft were stored. They went as far as one could see. All shapes and sizes. Some had names and personal markings such as the military allowed. The site was closed and some aircraft were sent to other storage facilities but many, most, were smelted right there. Years ago we were in the area and all that remained was a huge mountain of slag from the smelting process. Here is a link to a picture of some of the aircraft that once lived there. The pictures do not give provide the enormity of that storage facility. It was BIG!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...views_1959.jpg

That is Goodyear airport now!
You can go back to 1958 on that historical website and see all the aircraft.

[toextra]

Originally Posted by slowesthand

I must be losing it,I also lived a couple blocks S.W. of there in that same time as you, passed by there a million times and still drawing a blank. It seems as though I remember a building being torn down there , that must have been it.
I also went to Lubo.s for things, they always had what you needed, from a tiny screw on up, and someone there to help you find it.
I.m not sure when they opened, late 70's or early 80's but there was a Pep Boys on the west side of 24 th St., just north of Thomas. Also a mexican restaurant next to that, ate there many times, but have forgotten the name, but the place was always busy.

Thanks, Slowesthand, I stand corrected...it was Pep Boys on the west side of the street.
Had a friend who LOVED Ricardo's; he would get a basket of chips for himself.

[toextra]

Originally Posted by chaparrito

Green Stamps, the loyalty card equivalent of the era. When sent to the store on my bike for a few groceries my mother would always stick out her hand for the change and the green stamps. "Where are the green stamps? You didn't get the green stamps?"

There were Gold Bond stamps too, but I don't remember them being as treasured.

Anyone remember Food King Market in that same neighborhood? An independent located on the east side of 24th St. between Thomas and Oak. I'm thinking it was roughly opposite the bowling alley/green stamp store.

That may be the market my wife remembers from her childhood. She says they advertised "Nebraska Beef", and her mom would buy her a pickle from a jar atop the meat counter.

[mtbound10]

I have a friend who wants to know if there is anyone out in the Phoenix area that remembers the days of American Bandstand and remembers Mike Green? He doesn't have a computer, but wants to look up old friends. Can anyone help me out. He is currently living in Bremerton, WA.

[chaparrito]

Originally Posted by toextra

That may be the market my wife remembers from her childhood. She says they advertised "Nebraska Beef", and her mom would buy her a pickle from a jar atop the meat counter.

Probably. I vaguely remember the Nebraska Beef sign, maybe. The only other market in the immediate vicinity was the A. J. Bayless on the NE corner of 24th and Thomas.

[slowesthand]

Originally Posted by chaparrito

Probably. I vaguely remember the Nebraska Beef sign, maybe. The only other market in the immediate vicinity was the A. J. Bayless on the NE corner of 24th and Thomas.

I know it was much later, but there was a Safeway on the corner of 20th st. and Thomas. That was before the "Squaw Peak Parkway" was built. After the parkway was put in it became a Food Land or El Rancho or something like that. Also had a Osco drugs next to it.