You Lived in Phoenix in the 60s, 70s, and 80s If...

Oct 18, 2010

The other day, I came across a fantastic posting on a message board where people were sharing their memories of growing up in Phoenix. One person started the discussion off with a list of their favorite memories and others quickly joined in. Here is the original post (mirrored here in case the other site goes down):

You Lived in Phoenix in the 60s, 70s, and 80s If...
You remember when Bell Road (especially through Glendale) was the considered edge of civilization. There was nothing there but tumbleweeds and prairie dogs. Now, it's where you go to run all your errands. Or if you were traveling eastbound on Bell Rd. the sign that said 'Scottsdale- 21 miles.'

Your parents took you to Legend City, the only theme park in Phoenix.

Mornings were spent watching 'The Wallace and Ladmo Show.' When it was over, it was time to leave for school. 'Ladmo Bags'.

You remember when Beardsley Road was a seldom traveled, two-lane blacktop. Now, it's the eastbound frontage road for the Loop 101 freeway.

Before there was Target, there was Gemco. Now, most of the old Gemco stores are Targets.

The original Cine Capri theater stood at 24th St
and Camelback from 1964 to 1998
You watched Star Wars at the original Cine Capri movie theater.

You remember stores like Yellow Front, Woolco, Newberry's, McCrory's, TG&Y, Fedmart, Sprouse Reitz, Wards and Yates.

You remember when Metrocenter Mall had a below-grade ice skating rink. Watching skaters from the overlook above was the best way to escape the summer heat.

Metrocenter also had a Farrell's ice cream parlor. No Farrell's trip was complete without getting to see two waiters run though the restaurant with a sundae resting on a stretcher, while lights and sirens whirred in the background. Sometimes, the ice cream would fall off the stretcher. Don't forget the trip thru their candy store.

You were bummed when Farrell's closed. The space was later occupied by 'Round the Corner, a burger and sandwich place similar to Red Robin.

You saw a concert at Compton Terrace when it was attached to Legend City.

Your dad subscribed to the Phoenix Gazette (afternoon newspaper) and the Arizona Republic on Sunday.

You remember when the Brass Armadillo antique mall was Angel's - a building supply warehouse similar to Home Depot.

You remember when you got your building supplies from O'Malley's, Entz-White or Payless Cashways.

You remember when the Phoenix Suns were the only professional sports team in the state, and they played their games at Phoenix Memorial Coliseum.

Your groceries came from Alpha Beta, AJ Bayless, Lucky's, Neb's Market or Smitty's. Smitty's even had a little coffee shop attached to it.

A night out consisted of family dinner at the Lunt Avenue Marble Club. Their deep fried mushrooms were the best.

You remember when eastbound I-10 ended at Dysart Road. In order to continue east, you had to take McDowell or Thomas Road 15 miles to I-17 and head south. I-10 started up again somewhere east of downtown.

You ate breakfast at Sambo's or Bob's Big Boy.

You drove to Central and Thomas to have strawberry pie at Big Boy's because it was a car hop and they brought it to your car.

You remember when houses were built with carports instead of garages. Roofs were covered with wood shakes or asphalt shingles instead of stone tiles.

You remember home builder's billboards that advertised interest rates of 11%.

Your aspirin and cough syrup came from Skagg's, Revco, Thrifty's, or Drug Emporium.

Your shoes came from Buster Brown.

You remember when CBS was on Channel 10, ABC was on channel 3, and channels 5 and 15 were independent. Now, CBS is on Channel 5, FOX is on Channel 10, ABC is on Channel 15, and Channel 3 no longer has a network affiliation. NBC and PBS are the only ones that stayed on their original stations (channel 12 and 8, respectively).

You remember when channel 15 broadcast pay-tv at night (It was called ON-TV).

You spent hours watching early music videos on UHF channel 61. Due to the limited number of videos at the time, songs like 'Down Under', 'I Ran', and 'Come on Eileen' were repeated quite often. You were lucky if you could get decent reception.

You accompanied your dad to the True Value Hardware store in Westown in hopes of getting to stop at Baskin Robbins afterward.

You shopped at Valley West Mall before it became a ghost town, and was ultimately torn down.

You shopped at Phoenix Spectrum Mall when it was known as Chris-Town.

You woke up to Bruce Kelly in the morning on KZZP. Before that - Jonathon Brandmeier and his 'loons!'

You remember Phoenix's only real rock and roll stations were KRIZ and KRUX in the 1960s.

You rode the 'Tico' to Park Central.
1981 Phoenix City Bus featuring "Tico" mascot


You remember quality local programming like Open House with Rita Davenport or Sun Spots with Jan DiAtri.

You accompanied your dad to the LaBelle's catalog showroom to buy your mom's Christmas present.

Before he was governor, you remember Evan Mecham as the owner of a Pontiac dealership in Glendale.

You remember when Castles-n-Coasters was known as Golf-n-Stuff.

You remember when the entire state of Arizona only had one area code. Now, there are three in the Phoenix area alone.

You remember when Scottsdale Fashion Square was an outdoor mall with Goldwater's, Bullocks and Lenord's luggage being the only stores.

You remember when Goldwater's was bought out by Robinson May who was then bought out by Macy's.

You remember when Diamonds was bought out by Dillards.

You remember when Diamonds box office was the only place to buy concert tickets.

You remember when it hit 99* and that was considered HOT.

Big Surf water park
You remember when Big Surf was the place to go to bet the heat. Then hitting the drive in theater to see movie across the street.

You remember when best ice cream was found at Thrifty's Drug Store, where $0.85 cents would get you three scoops.

You remember when you wrote all your information down on a piece of paper and then your drivers license was mailed to you. It was very easy to change the 1968 to 1965 (because it was still in your hand writing) so that you could go to Devil House drinking because the drinking age was 19 years old.

You remember when you could go to Devil House for dancing 'after hours' which was from 1am - 3am.

You remember going to see 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' at midnight on Mill Ave.

You remember when 44th Street and Thomas was 'Thomas Mall'.

You remember when 40th Street and Thomas was 'Tower Plaza,' and there were a few people that climbed to the top and threaten to jump.

You remember when there was a canal at 48th.

You remember when driving up Pima Rd and you could see for miles and miles because there was nothing east or north of Shea Rd. And it was very dark and scary.

You remember when the only way to get to Shea Rd was thru 'Dreamy Park' and there weren't any streetlights. Squaw Peak was the name of a mountain, not a highway.

You remember going to concerts at Graham Central Station because the band was not popular enough to fill Mesa Amphitheater.

1,034 comments:

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Unknown said...

I remember back then during the Christmas Holidays that there would be colorful Christmas Decorations of Santa, sun and more on the street lights on Central Avenue.

Unknown said...

I remember the Teepee Motel on Apache Blvd. in Tempe AZ near ASU.

Anonymous said...

There was a reservoir of sorts there that folks skinny dipped in.

Anonymous said...

I remember frequently going to The Monastery to see all of the cute Lufthansa pilots in training!

Anonymous said...

Dr. Munchies was one of the few places that you could get something to eat late at night when you had the Marijuana munchies after a night of partying!

Anonymous said...

I remember seeing Joplin in Tempe!

Anonymous said...

When I was in high school, we had our desert parties where Mountain View High School is!

Unknown said...

Anyone remember Fedmart? I remember when there was one in Tempe on the NW corner of McClintock & Broadway.
I use to eat at a fast food spanish restaraunt called "Two Pesos" on Southern & McClintock in Tempe. I believe there was one Alonso on 19th Ave. & Indian School Rd.

Unknown said...

Who remembers when 24th street west of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Had Hotels and a School? Roadway Inn was on the SW corner of 24th Street & Buckeye and a Holiday Inn was on the east side of 24th Street in between I-10 exit and Old Tower Rd. Oh... And Kon Tiki Motel on the NW corner of 24th St & Van Buren.

Brian Dawson said...

"The Fig Tree" became "Used to be the Fig Tree" next to the "Monestary". And Triple A baseball Firebirds. Jimmy Buffet played on second base after a game one evening.

Anonymous said...

Wrigley's Mansion

Anonymous said...

The Fox Theater

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the POP SHOPPE at 37th and Indian School Rd? It was awesome, they made and bottled over 50 soda flavors in mini glass bottles and you would buy them by the crate. Yummm!! I also remember the Flumes! It was our Arizona Ocean, there was a rope and a board tied to the top rail and we would Surf on the board where the water came back down to ground level. Cops would come out to the desert and run us all off. Tuff as nails back then!

Also CRAZY EDS at 19th Ave and Deer Valley Rd? They had great steaks and played BLAZING SADDLES everynite!! lol

Anonymous said...

Phoenix Greyhound Park, Rusty Nail across from Turf Paradise, Riazzi's Italian Restaurant, Monte's La Casa Vieja in Tempe, The go-karts on Indian School, the MAD HOUSE on Mcdowell- Phoenix Suns, "I got it" at the State Fair, and so many other places already mentioned. Too bad you can never go back....

Phil said...

It was on the grounds of the Arizona Ambassador Inn, I think, on west Maryland about 5th Ave. Ate there several times.

Roger said...

Scottsdale High School

The Ranch House - A small burger shop at Indian School and Scottsdale Roads. Only seating was out back at picnic tables with palm tree stumps for seats.

KDKB used to be KCAC.

Chess King trendy clothes stores.

The Old Corral - Mexican restaurant in Scottsdale where the Civic Center Plaza now is.

Dirt roads an hitching posts in front of buildings in old town Scottsdale.

Phoenix Roadrunners hockey team.

Rusty Nail restaurant at Bell Road and 19th Ave.

"TV Pow" - a game play on a local TV station (channel 5?) with a contestant at home over the phone.

Roger said...

A1 beer

Anonymous said...

I still have the red underwear!

Ben A said...

Zia Records?

Anonymous said...

Driving home from our Aunt and Uncles house who lived way out on Bell Road. On the way home to Maryvale, we could at least 6 different drive-in theaters playing movies. The yearly Rodeo parade, Maryvale Jump!, Cartland and Maryvale Baja all on Indian School. Goosic Speed Shop, Village Inn Pizza on 59th and Indian School after the Friday night football game at Marvale High, then it was off cruisin Cental Ave. until after midnight. I miss Wallace & Ladmo.

Anonymous said...

This is an amazing site! So many fun memories! We moved to Arizona in 1966 when I was 5. I remember Legend City, the Big Sky drive-in, Wallace and Lladmo,and the birds in the middle of Chris-town Mall...the 'castle' at metrocenter mall with SO many video games, that you just knew you could never play them all (but you tried anyway)... horseback riding at South Mountain Stables...there also used to be a really fun restaurant where all the waitstaff dressed up in costumes, and the salad bar was in a 9 foot long bathtub...but I can't remember the name of it! I also remember Rollero skating rink, and skating double session on Saturday night! I moved away in 1984, but still have SO MANY fond memories of growing up in Phoenix and Glendale :)

Anonymous said...

OMG how fun! I remember so many of these things. Does anyone also remember a club called Pony Express, where they had pool tables on the floor above the dance floor?
How about 'slide rock' at Oak Creek Canyon? Most of all, I remember the local bands in Phoenix in the early 80's...Dreamer, Fortune, The Dates, Alliance...all playing at the different Blank Angus Steakhouse bars! LOL

Anonymous said...

Bobby McGee's had the bathtub salad bar.

Anonymous said...

What a trip down memory lane! I grew up in both Phoenix and Scottsdale. Just plain old Scottsdale, before there was a "North Scottsdale." Aurelio's Pizza after 8th grade dances. Walking to Papago Plaza and Los Arcos Mall on Saturdays. Enjoying a mountain of tacos at El Taco when they had used toy drives. You would get a free taco for every toy donated, and my siblings and I were happy to give away our toys for those tacos. Don Jose Mexican Food on Thomas. It closed for a few years, but it's back. The Golden Scone. Drive-in movie theater near McKellips & Hayden. Yes, Wallace and Ladmo, Legend City, concerts at Compton Terrace and Celebrity Theater, special occasions celebrated at Mary Coyle, and on & on. Thanks for the memories!

Tim said...

El Diablo mex restaurant and la cucharacha . crusing on central . central Baptist church for us Jesus people. Piccadilly restaurant a Thomas mall. Vincent Funier aka. Alice Cooper. Hobo Joes restaurant in Adams hotel

Anonymous said...

Being born and raised in Phoenix,you brought back great memories to me and my mother who has lived here 70 years.Thank all of you.

Unknown said...

What about Straw Hat Pizza they played all the silent movies

Unknown said...

What about Straw Hat Pizza they played all the silent movies

Anonymous said...

Channel 61... AKA The Box! I remember that you could call in on their 900 number and pay to have them play your request (never did that).

Also, I remember how Metrocenter used to have this mystique to it in the 80's. Now it's an indoor, air-conditioned ghetto.

Anonymous said...

Steak dinner outdoors in Turf Paradise parking lot when it used to be on the North side facing Bell Rd.

Getting 50 cent banana splits at Skaggs soda fountain on 35th Ave and Peoria.

Partying at the top of the reservoir at the top of the Pink Sidewalks, at night. Keeping mind of the big hole in the far side! Lol

Walking to Metro Center in our bare feet! Stopping at the 'lakes' before the condo's were built on 28th Dr btwn Cactus and Peoria.

Remember when Metro Center sank into the ground?

Eating lunch at the Red Velvet Inn at 35th Ave & Cactus. Eating at Arthur Teacher's, same location. Going to the movie theater, same location. Before all that...buying our hip huggers at Jeans Galore, you guessed it; same location! 😁

Being pushed into a 'freshman hole' in Moon Vly H.S.

Partying in Cactus Park BEFORE there was a police station across the street. The parking lot was dirt.

There was a small canal running the length of & in front of Moon Vly H.S. and when there was water in it, we'd slide in it.

Carpenter's Stables on 35th Ave and Sweetwater!

The movie theater off Bethany Home Rd and I-17 on North side. I saw The Towering Inferno there!

Gary's Lounge and the Foggy Bottom! Now we're going back in time!

I loved the 70's and wished they never ended!

Cindy Davis said...

Steak dinner outdoors in Turf Paradise parking lot when it used to be on the North side facing Bell Rd.

Getting 50 cent banana splits at Skaggs soda fountain on 35th Ave and Peoria.

Partying at the top of the reservoir at the top of the Pink Sidewalks, at night. Keeping mind of the big hole in the far side! Lol

Walking to Metro Center in our bare feet! Stopping at the 'lakes' before the condo's were built on 28th Dr btwn Cactus and Peoria.

Remember when Metro Center sank into the ground?

Eating lunch at the Red Velvet Inn at 35th Ave & Cactus. Eating at Arthur Teacher's, same location. Going to the movie theater, same location. Before all that...buying our hip huggers at Jeans Galore, you guessed it; same location! ��

Being pushed into a 'freshman hole' in Moon Vly H.S.

Partying in Cactus Park BEFORE there was a police station across the street. The parking lot was dirt.

There was a small canal running the length of & in front of Moon Vly H.S. and when there was water in it, we'd slide in it.

Carpenter's Stables on 35th Ave and Sweetwater!

The movie theater off Bethany Home Rd and I-17 on North side. I saw The Towering Inferno there!

Gary's Lounge and the Foggy Bottom! Now we're going back in time!

I loved the 70's and wished they never ended!

Hey, remember the man who lived on top of S mountain in sunnyslope, with the monkey's?

Unknown said...

Zia Records!

Unknown said...

Yes! I was wondering if anyone was going to mention the wax museum! Freaked me or as a kid. :D

Anonymous said...

Crashing La Posada pool for our first cliff jumping experience.

Cindy Davis said...

No one mentioned Carpenter's Stables off 35th Ave and Sweetwater.
The Red Velvet Inn and 1st Draft choice which earlier was Jean's Galore on 35th Ave and Cactus.
When Moon Vly HS had a little canal running in front of it and we'd slide through it when full of water.
When Cactus Park was our 'lunch' spot, BEFORE there was a police station across the street.
When Circle K's REALLY were on every Street corner!
Partying on top of the reservoir on top of the Pink Sidewalks.
The Celebrity Theatre, saw Jerry Riopelle there and Eddie Money!
Wonderful site! I loved the 70's and if could go back, I would.

candy ligon said...

Hi my name is Candy Ligon and I am the baby of the Ligon family and My dad was Curt the clown back in the 1950s and 1960s and 1970s.. I remember as a young kid growing up around 27th and northern all the kiddy rides in our back yard and watching dad put on his make up and performing at christown mall and tower plaza mall and watching him tie balloons on mens coats walking down the mall and also his little trained pig called soda pop and going to grand openings and hanging at the rides all day while my mom and 2 brothers ran them .. Dad was on Wallace and lad mo alot advertising his gig for that week end and he did alot of performances for legend city and John f. long homes and he had tv shows called curts kool carnival. I was born in 1959 and he gave out fans that said Candy lu with eyes a blue and a ponytail too, on his tv show.. My child hood was magical with a red fire engine and clown cars and riding in the caboose seat of the jc parades.. Dad died in 1993 of cancer and I have long grown past 50 years old and I have watched phx change over the years and miss my father so much and the magic he brought into so many kids lifes.. good memories I have read by all of you warms my heart and I will never forget back in the day of phx in its innocent and magical years.. hugs Candy ligon

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember the clothing store at Cristown mall,named Sweitzer's? well I shopped there alot, Mr Sweitzer just passed away a week and a half ago..This was in 1975

Anonymous said...

I was directed here when I searched for Phoenix ice cream parlors from the 60's and 70's. I couldn't remember the place that had "pippin size" sundaes, thank you to those who mentioned Mary Coyle's. Another favorite memory from my childhood was climbing a huge cottonwood tree in a farmers field around 39th ave and Northern-ish. It was so tall you could see the Goodyear sign that was lit up 24/7 way south along the freeway. Thank you to all the farmers who put up with us kids making tunnels in their cotton fields and eating the occasional green onion as we walked back to our subdivision from that cool tree fort!


Anonymous said...

I remember Anytown...I went in 1970 and had a fantastic time. Everyone cried when we gathered around the flag pole for the last time before boarding our bus. I still sing songs to my grandkids that we sang there.

Unknown said...

Mary Coyle's was a must stop when going to see Suns games with Hawkins, Van Arsdale, Walk et al

Unknown said...

Yeah- the stocky Ardsley stunk up everything from east phoenix north Tempe and south scottsdale.
I used to buy manure from "Gro-Green" right across the street. They would dump it right in the bed of your pickup truck.

James said...

Does anyone remember Shenanigans bar around 3rd ave and Camelback

BG said...

BG said...

Cudia City, where me and a bunch of other kids kept our horses and had everywhere up to and including Squaw Peak to ride, or down to the Biltmore on (or in) the canal, or over to Shiprock, or McKewan's (sp) Mansion; the Food Bazaar at Town & Country, with a Gene's Broiler concession; Put & Take Market at 40th & Camelback, with Fountain's Pharmacy (with a cool cafe inside) next door; water skiing in the canal east of Scottsdale on the Pima Reservation, and on and on - an idyllic time in Phoenix, never to be repeated......

Anonymous said...

Yes, and I believe there's one (or was one) around 23rd Avenue and Bell Dr.

Unknown said...

I believe it was called Tracks in Wax.

Anonymous said...

JD's

Anonymous said...

Yes Roy, my brother 2 years older then me, some friends and myself ditched school one day and went to the flumes. That was the day my brother saved my life. If you remember the small canal with bars over the top spaced apart enough to get in, shallow fast running water you could not stand up in. It was close to the main flumes part.at the end it went under ground to head to the phx. canals for irrigation. That day it was impossible for me to grab hold of the bars above me to get out, I was screaming for help as I could see the end coming up fast and I was going to be fine.one of his friends saw me but thought I was messing around, my brother quickly and barely got ahead, they were already out above me. He laid on the top of the bars his arms hanging down and as the water was rushing me along so fast I held my arms up and he was able to snatch me up and pull me through the top of those bars. I was and am so thankful for my older brother. He has always been an incredible human being. I would have died that day if not for him and my Lord Jesus Christ.He saved me another time as well, so he is my forever hero! Oh yea I also worked at Long Hair Inc. in the early 80s at 35th and Bethany Home Rd. Wish I knew where some of those people are today, I can't get a good Hair cut any where since my friend had a stroke that had also worked for long hair inc. If anyone knows of anyone let me know please.

Anonymous said...


Can anyone please help with remembering the name of a mexican fastfood joint that used to be on Scottsdale Road south of Indian School? It was an independent building with stucco rounded arches in front and a patio with stone round tables and benches. I think it started with a 'Z'? It closed late 80s/early 90s and then I think it became a taco bell. I believe it's totally gone and forgotten now.

Susan Green said...

I'm a little late to this walk down memory lane, but if you still get this reply I think you are thinking of Chez Louis ... The Chef/owner Louis Germain still has Le Sans Souci in Carefree (He's got to be in his 90s??)

Anonymous said...

Candy Ligon I remember your dad, "Curt The Clown." If I can remember correctly he was my father's second cousin. I used to love attending "Curt's" shows around town and after performing, he would always stop to visit with my mother and I. I can remember your father had a trained Coatimundi which was an animal in the raccoon family. I remember feeding the Coatimundi raw eggs which it loved. I was pretty young but I can also remember visiting your home a few times. I have a lot of fond memories of your father. He was always so nice and funny. Good times.

Anonymous said...

In the early 1960s, does anyone remember collecting pennies to save Camelback Mountain?

Susan said...

And romper room.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this with us. Most of whiff I didn't know. I am a proud Az. Native who loves to hear oral history such as yours.

Unknown said...

My first concert as well!!!

Unknown said...

Yup...Gau 90's Miniature Golf at Legend City.

Unknown said...

Best memories of Christmas Eve is shopping downtown with my sister and my dad at Woolworth's. We bought all of our gifts there for my mom and dad and my 4 sisters with a $5 dollar bill my Dad gave to each of us. Meanwhile, my older sisters and my mother were shopping at J.C.Penney and Malcolm's and Lerner's and Switzer's and Wards. The first time I went to NYC this is what it reminded me of. I thought all those department stores and buildings in downtown Phoenix were skyscrapers. We drove in from the third world country of Avondale to do our Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve. Then hurried back to wrap presents and dress for midnight mass.

Unknown said...

We lived for months at motel verde on van buren & thought we'd found paradise...taking pics with the orange trees to show the folks back east...when van buren was a safe place. "potted" at lunt ave....

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the arguing married couple that used to work at the Miracle Mile deli located at Park Central mall in the early 1960's? They were so funny. Always screaming at each other. The couple was also my neighbors and they were always screaming at home, as well.

And I loved the time of year when the annual Phoenix JC rodeo was held at Veteran's Memorial Coliseum. Rodeo day was the one day of the year that girls were allowed to wear pants to school.

Anonymous said...

We lived at a Ramada Inn across from Greyhound Park for several month's, as well. We too thought it paradise.
We also lived in a hotel in downtown Phx that had a train for kids on the front lawn. I can't remember the name of it but I think it was on McDowell Rd below Central Ave.
Ahhhhh, getting potted. LOVED IT! Those were the day's, my friend!

Anonymous said...

Most of the things I thought of that had been omitted eventually showed up as I read on. Mother Tucker's was delightful with a mile long salad bar, Velvet Turtle on Camelback was a favorite 'nice' restaurant with live piano, Oscar Taylor's had wonderful food, but especially Zucchini muffins, how about the "Tahitian Drums of Paradise" at The Islands...one never did show up...Mexican food rest. just east of Good Sam Hosp and across McDowell Rd...The Chili Pepper, enter through the kitchen if you wanted to, best salsa we've ever tasted to this day. What happened to Crown Florist on 16th St., I think? Anything needed to create floral arrangements was there. I loved My Florist purple boxes, 56 yrs. ago I married my high school sweetheart and he got all my special occasion corsages there. Who remembers DJ "Lucky Lawrence?" Such a popular radio star. And finally, was the name of the theme song of Open House show, "Here Come da Sun?" Maybe wrong...

Anonymous said...

Really miss the Japanese Flower Gardens and the smell of citrus that filled the whole valley when blooming!

Unknown said...

Pop Shoppe. And all the single screen movie theaters (Palms, Kachina, Bethany and of course Cine Capri).

Renee Haner Wilkins said...

Rada's ?

Anonymous said...

Mother Tucker's made me think of My Mother's Restaurant. Does anyone remember that?
What about Monte's on the mountain at end of 19th Ave and Cactus Rd. I loved it better than the one in Mesa.
Just North of Cactus is 'Tickle Hill'; does anyone know what that is? My sister now has my 6 yr old great niece loving that ride.

Unknown said...

I'm JJ, I'm the owner and I am the king of beepers.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the great memories.
My older brother, sister and I were born at Good Samaritan hospital and our younger brother was born at St. Joe's. ('50's and '60's). My parents had a home on Coulter Ave just west of 19th Ave for my older brother and myself, then we moved to the county area of 35th Ave and Glendale Ave when our new home was built.
I remember the organ grinder with monkey as you entered Christown Mall near the JC Penny store. We use to enjoy the the aviary and concrete play equipment and a stop at Miracle Mile Deli if we behaved ourselves. There was a Godbers store on the Northside of the Christown Mall too.
I remember my parents taking me to Neptune's Table at 7th Ave and Camelback Rd for my 16th birthday. I had frog legs for the first and last time, I felt so grownup. We grew-up in the Sunnyslope area around 7th Ave and Northern. We would get irrigation once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer months and would use a big piece of plywood (we called a wop board) to "surf" over to water from a running start. If that failed to entertain we would set-up the Slip 'n Slide in the irrigation and have to go take a shower right after we were finished because of all the grass and leaves stuck to us. Once in a while the occasional crawdad would appear during irrigation. I remember the threat of flood in our area and were sent to a church above the canal and 7th Ave as the evacuation point. The property above Royal Palm Rd and Butler Ave around 3rd Ave was Horse Lovers and they would have rodeo events quite frequently. There was the Arbor restaurant at Central Ave and the canal that we saw burning from the end of our street Royal Palm and 3rd Ave. There was "Lowe's" at about 3rd Ave and Griswold were our neighbors boarded their horses.
Another place I remember was the Polo Club near Camelback and I think 24th Street (it was near a golf course because some hapless golfer broke my windshield in the parking lot). The mall at 20th Street and Camelback was the Colonnade Mall, I remember because I worked at Sears at Metro (in the Catalog Dept) and Sears' main office was at the Colonnade location.
I remember Winnie Ruth Judge's many escapes from the AZ State Hospital at 24th St and Van Buren (we called it the "Crazy House" and it seemed ominous to us in our youth and ignorance). I remember the Griswold brother's escape, manhunt and capture.
Ah, such memories.
As someone mentioned earlier, sorry for the stream of consciousness writing as I think of things more come to mind. I will always be a Desert Rat at heart.

sheylynjaymes said...

Went there several times with my boyfriend
enuf said lol

sheylynjaymes said...

Me too.

Unknown said...

I was working for a pest control company in 1983, we went to the permanently closed club to spray for bugs. It was still pretty well intact with tables, chairs, signs, glasses etc.

Unknown said...

I remember Minder Binders as I lived in Tempe between 83 and 84, I was 19 and that was the legal drinking age at the time. I also went to Hammerheads, The Devil House and Clancy's on a regular basis.

Unknown said...

I went there in September of 1983, it was closed permanently, but I was 18 and working for a pest control company, we went into a mostly intact club to spray for bugs but knowing I would never be open for business again.

massage123 said...

I was a regular at Varsity Inn for about 2-3 years. Under aged of course. I was 14 when I started going there. Fake ID, you know.

okbye said...

The station was on a corner right around from my house, on 35th ave and Orangewood. I felt so hip!

okbye said...

I HATED the Central ave cruisers! I lived right off of Central for awhile and you could never get anywhere because the traffic didn't move. We'd be starving to death and couldn't get to Pete's! Took me 20 minutes once to find a backroads way to a Circle K before I died of nicotine withdrawls.
Metro was fine, it was always after hours. I used to drag race there late nights.

okbye said...

Zia? I don't remember Circles or Tower selling used records.

Carol said...

Such fun to read through all these comments! My family moved to Mesa in 1958. Our house (on 2nd St. just east of Stapley) was 3 houses away from open desert. My dad and brother used to hunt jackrabbits out there. Drove a little further out to hunt dove and quail. As a Mesa kid, we cruised Main, stopping at Big Bob's for strawberry pie and fries (the BEST!). I remember when someone stole the Hobo Joe statue from the restaurant on Main & Stapley, and the WW poms snagged the bell from Taco Bell (back when they were actually bells!). We listened to KRUX and KRIZ, but I loved it when KCAC came along. Remember Toad Hall? My favorite DJ of all time.

I remember we used to see road signs with some kind of code all over the Valley. Sometimes you'd spot the guy who did it driving around in an old truck with the signs all over his car. He made them out of paint can tops or something like that. He had his own scheme on signs to help navigate the area. Can't remember the last time I saw one of those.

I remember Blakely gas stations and all their give-aways. We had the cactus glasses and plates. Loved those!

Juttenhoops at Town & Country was my favorite place to shop for unusual gifts or just to browse around and marvel at all the cool stuff.

I marched in school bands from jr. high through high school and we always marched in the two big rodeo parades--Parada del Sol in Scottsdale and the Phoenix Rodeo (which was huge!). Schools in the Valley used to get the Friday off during the rodeo AND you could wear jeans that day (no pants for girls back in those days!).

In college we'd go to The Library-- not to study, but to drink and dance. I remember hearing Hans Olsen there and have been a fan ever since. He's having a birthday bash next month with his old band! Also remember the Blue Goat pub in Scottsdale and Joe Bethancourt. He went to Westwood HS in Mesa. One of his sisters was in my class.

Also in college, used to love the Dash In for great Mexican food and the absolute best Blue Cheese dressing. I got the chef to give me the recipe, but it was for one of HIS batches to feed a crowd.

Also fondly remember going to Carnation Ice Cream on Central. If you took the tour, you got an ice cream treat at the end! There was a restaurant attached to it too.

Remember tubing on the Salt & Verde BEFORE the service? We'd take two cars, park one where we wanted to get out and then the other at the start. If you only had one car, you had a long hike or hitched a ride back. That was definitely a favorite summer past-time.

I remember coming back from a tubing trip to see a huge fire--it was Mesa High School burning down. They had their graduation ceremony on our field that year. Very sad. My brother graduated from there. I believe part of a Jerry Lewis film was shot there.

Back in those days Mesa was much smaller. We only had 2 decent restaurants, both of them Mexican food (which was fine by me!). We usually went to Matta's on Main. The other was on Country Club between University Dr. and Main, but I can't think of the name. I believe it's still there, although if I happen by it when I'm in Mesa, it's always closed.

I used to work at the Bobby McGee's on I-17, and the Farrell's in Scottsdale. Also worked at Legend City in the saloon. I'll never forget seeing the moon landing there. We had the only TV in the park and all day people would come by asking if it'd happened yet. When it did, there was a full house of people marveling at what America had achieved.

My dad was an appraiser for the state and went around appraising home values for the houses in the freeway's path. He was always so frustrated at the opposition to the freeways. Before I-10, we'd take Broadway from to get to Phoenix, or if we wanted a more scenic drive, we'd go further south to Baseline. I still miss those flowers and remember the amazing smells.

Thanks for a fun walk down memory lane.

Anonymous said...

The Flumes accross the Agua Fria River?

Anonymous said...

I always knew it was on the CAP off Beardsley Rd. I had to google it to see about Agua Fria River & you too are correct.
I guess I learned something new today. Thanks. ☺

Anonymous said...

Oasis drive in theatre in Avondale. Or the Big O as we used to call it.

Unknown said...

Seems to me there was a small zoo by Tot Haven on 7th near glendale and little larger one on 7th closer to Bethany. That one had monkeys that threw their poo!

Unknown said...

I remember smelling basha's fried chicken at their deli and it was a treat if we got to take some home.

Unknown said...

Seems to me there was a small zoo by Tot Haven on 7th near glendale and little larger one on 7th closer to Bethany. That one had monkeys that threw their poo!

Unknown said...

Born in 1966 at st. Joseph

We always got our shoes from Kenny's 7th street they seemed so large I never understood where they went.

Do you remember the super slide on 7th and Dunlap the road did a wierd Y thing and there was a jack in the box In the Y.

We always went to Jordan's Mexican food on 7th loved it! Is it still there?

There was also Googy's restaurant like sambos, hobo joes, and humpty dumpties. They were the best they had the plastic deserts on a roll-around tray

Loved Lunt Ave marble club they would give us marbles when we left. Remember their fried zucchini was the best!

Carolyn said...

Anybody remember the outdoor concerts in Carefree - area that is now "The Boulders"? I worked at Sambo's in Scottsdale to pay for college 1969-71, was a regular at the Red Dog across the street, also the 'Riverbottom', Blue Goat Pub and Minder Binder in Tempe. Great memories of Concerts and after concert parties with Sly & the Family Stone, Santana and others I can't remember. College friends with a 'Superbird', racing down the freeway at about 200 miles per hour (maybe not really that fast). Loved the early 70s! - Carolyn

Anonymous said...

I was just taking a walk through memory lane (via google) and was very sad to see Greasewood Flats closed! Wow! Blew my mind! Fond memories stopping there for burgers on our way home from camping out at Castle Rock/Verde River! Now I'll have to check and see if Campbell's Mercantile is still out on the way to Lake Pleasant!
At least I do know the burger joint (can't think of it's name right now) is still out on road to Wickenburg. Out by where you can take a ride in a glider plane.
Anyways, I'll be mourning Greasewood Flats for a long while to come.

Unknown said...

anyone remember the 1974 tv series movin'on filming in phoenix? this nbc tv series starred the late claude akins.filming sites included.....library park,national bank plaza,greyhound dog track,the old indian school,avondale,old buckeye air strip,laveen village and many phoenix area locations. anyone rember anything about this please let us know.we are currently working on a book about this classic tv series....bill movin'on official

Anonymous said...

We moved here in 1969 when I was 7. My brother & I would act out the Wallace & Ladmo (mr. grudgmeyer in the park)skits for our parents. I drew a picture and won a ladmo bag when I was 11. I was on the show! I still have my ladmo bag. We played hide & seek at night in the irrigation (the water was so clean). Later on, DROVE up to Cloud Nine! (YES, you used to be able to drive ANYWHERE!)Drove ATC (cycles) in the river bottom at Hayden Rd in Tempe. (still have one of these too.) 43rd Ave & Beardsley were desert parties destinations, same around the Frank Lloyd Wright house in Scottsdale. Things were free, open and fun! Summer nights actually got cool, especially when passing citrus groves in Mesa or the flower farms on Baseline. I was lucky enough to camp under the London Bridge when it first opened. There was nothing there but dirt the bridge and the lake. We docked our boat under the bridge and slept there. Yes, things have changed, but glad others share the same memories of our good o'l days in Phoenix & interesting places throughout Arizona. I have hand mined apache tears. Anyone else have any? LOL.

Anonymous said...

Los Arcos Mall, Crazy Ed's Restaurant, Old Sun Devil Lounge in the Holiday Inn on Apache Trail, 500 year floods closing I-17 the only freeway, Glass Door Restaurant Scottsdale, original Garcia's Mexican Restaurant on Grand Ave, driving to Buckeye to get on Interstate 10

Unknown said...

That could be it! I remember that sandwich shop too. My dad's office was down town and I had to go to work with him one day for some reason. He took me there. I just remember all the birds, and business people having lunch.

Anonymous said...

My parents and I(age 2)lived on an Indian Reservation in nowhereville,az where dad was a physician before moving to Phx in 1958. Went to Simis elementary school, Rapid Mart, The Yucca Branch library near Chris-town mall,the Palms movie theater, St. Joseph hospital where dad worked, Big Hunk taffy candy bars when candy was 5 cents,going to school with Steven Spielberg's siblings,11 grapefruit trees and irrigation. Christmas lights wrapped around saguaro cactus, scorpions, ...Oh the BEST times EVER!!!

Maifeld said...

I lived on 8233 West Northern Ave in Glendale and across the street was a big parking lot with a cotton gin which had trucks that had watermelons and they had stacks of hay we played on and had horses out back I think.. We left in 1973.. Anyone remember?

carecare7 said...

Jute n Hoops
Don Jose's restaurant on Thomas
Beside the Pointe restaurant (I worked there for 2 years as a cashier)
Vickers gas stations (I worked at the one near 19th Ave on Camelback)
Gilbert Ortega shops (I met him and the underage prostitute he was having that night)
The original Tokyo Express on Thomas
Pic N Save
The Skill Center
Kon Tiki hotel on Van Buren
Van Buren whores at night
When the band shell in Central Park was painted in rainbow colors
When Central park was like a jungle
When you could go north of Union Hills on 7th street and be in a teen party hang out in the desert there
Woolco Dept store on Cave Creek
Ernesto's Back Street and the mafia murders associated with it
the Hole in the Wall jewelry theft gang and Tony the Ant."
Winnie Ruth Judd, the "trunk murderess"
Beth and Bill on the radio
Dave Pratt and his red underwear and "let's get naked."
When Westridge Mall was kind of out in the middle of nowhere
When Tower Plaza had an ice rink
The Spaghetti Factory restaurant
Dreamy Draw Drive
The Stones concert in the early 80's
Line dancing at Graham Central Station
Los Arcos mall
Valley Bank
Valley Bank's "round the world" decorated Christmas trees downtown
Spencer's at Metro Center
Glendale drive in
Savings and Loan scandal
AZCam scandal
Ev Mecham talking about "Pickaninnies"
Lucky's grocery
Mae West restaurant in Tempe
Pete Ellis Dodge and the catchy song (with the little ball dancing on the lyrics) they had on TV "Pete Ellis Dodge, freeway 17, Camelback exit, Phoenix..."
The Shamrock sign and dairy
Holsum Bakery and that amazing smell when driving by it on Black Canyon freeway
the wedding cake house (Tovrea Castle)
Mystery Castle
South Mountain park
Four peaks
SAS fabric stores
Old Heidelberg Bakery
Bobby McGees
Beth Underwood, astrologer to several high position people in the city
Papago Park
Governor Hunt's pyramid tomb
Hole in the Rock
Fred Rated commercials for Federated
Red Devil Pizza
The free VD clinic
the original Phoenix art museum when it was part of the old Central Library
The Phoenix Financial Center that was built to look like an old computer punch card
Westward Ho hotel
My Florist sign on McDowell Rd








Anonymous said...

Hans Olson still plays at Fatso's Pizza on 32nd st and Thunderbird

vitajex said...

Anybody remember a place called "Tavern on the Green" at the Financial Center at Central and Osborn? I think it was a restaurant/lounge near the green lawn between the buildings, kind of near where Blimpie's was or is (did it close?).

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember the name of the French restaurant in Scottsdale, probably on 5th avenue? Very small and expensive. I think it may have closed in the late '70s.

9/16/2015 4:30 PM

That was Pierre's Le Bistro. I worked there in High School. You had to speak French to work there.

Unknown said...

How could you leave off cruising Central, Main in Mesa and later Metro Center? And trips to Beeline and Phoenix Raceway?

Anonymous said...

You forgot Dave Pratt's 'I'll be mellow when I'm dead' and KDKB rock's!

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember Scene West? I think it was half rock and half disco.

Unknown said...

Shiprock was the old Rose Paulsen house..designed by FLW...it burned down after Rose had only lived in it for six months...drapes caught on fire (too close to the fireplace)

Anonymous said...

I loved the Sombrero Theatre!
Rocky Horror every Friday & Saturday @ midnight, and different obscure old concert films throughout the week. If you were low key about it, they'd let you smoke certain substances in the theatre during the movies.

Jim West said...

Remember a great place for breakfast was the original BILL JOHNSON'S BIG APPLE on Van Buren...also beginning in 1980, KNIX-FM was the NUMBER ONE radio station in Phoenix regardless of format and was number one for nearly 15 years.....and the nationwide "URBAN COWBOY" craze helped fuel KNIX and its ratings success.....plus the station was owned by country singer BUCK OWENS of HEE HAW fame and its RED WHITE & BLUE guitar logo could be seen on thousands of car bumper stickers and numerous billboards all over the city..... A close second in radio station popularity would have been BILL HEYWOOD IN THE MORNING ON 55, Phoenix KOY !!!!

Anonymous said...

Scene West and Sombrero Theater are also treasured memories of mine. My in-laws worked at the original Bill Johnson's Big Apple and knew the owner well. KOY and KNIX I'd forgotten about.

Unknown said...

There was a Mary Coyle's on Indian School & 36th St also.

Unknown said...

Cutter's Hair on E. camelback

Unknown said...

I remember Papagayo's but it was on 16thst north of Thomas.

Unknown said...

International Food Bazaar 24th & Camelback, Tang Imports same shopping center, Ladmo Drive In Bethany Home & 16th St just to name a few more. Best place to reminensce growing up in Phoenix in the 50's, 60's & 70's. East High no longer there. Good memories Thanks for sharing.

lyle anderson said...

Come on over to Peter Piper Pizza!

Unknown said...

I was born here in 1957-a fourth generation native Arizonan. I remember everything you have talked about. My mom once was a waitress at the coffee shop which was in the shape of a coffee pot.

Anonymous said...

Just had a memory and shared with husband...Does anyone remember the Chuckwagon? It was an actual covered wagon situated on a dirt lot facing 19th Ave. just south of Peoria (North of Taco Bell) They served burgers I believe. Diners ate al fresco on tradional picnic tables /benches. Also El Taco - a restarantula on the SEC of 19th Ave and Northern. I remember the open irrigation ditch running N/S on the west side of/along 19th Ave. and flooding the intersection and parking lot of El Taco after a heavy monsoon rain.

Unknown said...

Downtown had a department store called "Korricks" and there were others near it.
Hansa House buffet near 7th and Indian School.
A delicious hot dog drive thru on Grand. I do not remember the name of the place but it was really tiny with only outdoor seating.
Lived at 27th Ave and Bellview, which is now a freeway. Moved out in 1965 to 35th & Northern (nothing but fields around us). Eventually it was quickly populated
We would visit our cousins in "Peoria" and it was all farmland and the road to their house was a small dirt road between the fields.
My parents were natives (1931 and 1932). Dad grew up on dairy farm at 75th & Camelback with only a canal bank as the road to the house and then the farm was on both sides of the canal. Mom grew up on Adams. Farm is gone, now housing development and the house on Adams is still there.

Vanessa said...

What about when the airport was 1 runway and the planes came in over 40st and the Winterbottom, we loved going out there and watching the planes land and take off, all the Japanese flowers gardens along Baseline, and the Cow Barn sat off Baseline Rd, we use to go over there and get bottles of pop for .25 .When the High Schools were North, South,East and West.When there was NOTHING on the other side of South Mountain, cruising Central on Fri. Night the Indian School,when it was ACTUALLY a school, OMG all the memories THANKS for bringing email back, OH ONE MORE THING , the record store on Central was Tower Records, Zia came along somewhere in the 80s

Anonymous said...

How about The Rolling Stones 2nd American Tour in 1965 at the Phoenix Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum (November 30th).

The amazing Green Gables Miniature Golf Course in the 1950s at 2850 North 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. One of the best that I've ever seen.

Anonymous said...

When El Taco was mentioned it made me remember Willie & Guillermo's just south of Northern on 7tb Ave or maybe 15th Ave. Loved it! It was a 'happening' restaurant. I alway's wonder why it closed?
Does anyone remember when Taco Bell used to serve a 'bell beefer'? It was taco hamburger meat on a bun with cheese and onion's.
Also, what happened to Maid Right hamburger joint on east Bell Rd? I'll be going to Phx for a visit in October and will definitely be going to Carumba's on west Bell Dr! Love, love, love their enchilada style burrito! Huge and inexpensive!

Anonymous said...

I lived in Sunnyslope, dors anyone remember Pedro's Mexican restaurant? Someone mentioned Chuckwagon, it was Mac's Chuckwagon. There were actually two of them. The other one was somewhere around 27th Ave and maybe Bethany or Missouri. Loved the burgers at Mac's, and the cheese crisps at Pedro's. Also ate lunch at Zippy's across the street from the high school. Green Gables had one of the best miniature golf courses I ever saw. Although, the same company built several others in Phoenix, ruined all the others (not made by that company) for me because the just looked cheaply made. In the late 60s or early 70s there was a little sandwich place just south of Butler Dr on 7th Street on the west side of the road. They sold what they called scones which were actually a rectangular roll of some kind. My favorite was a beef sandwich that was similar to a Philly Cheesesteak. Does anyone remember them?

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember the sci-fi channel would play movies on the weekends and they was a song at the beginning.... Might have been a pink Floyd song? Anyone remember which song it was?

VFW Post 3617 said...

Jordans Mexican Restaurant was behind Durants on Central (Best Mexican and Best Steaks) There was also a Jordans LaPalma on McDowell Rd at about 20th St.... The TeePee on Camelback drew the stars for Mexican Food. Vic Caesar had the Forum on Central past Camelback. Great place for great music, great food and great people. Red Dog Saloon in Scottsdale for Rock in the 60's, the VIP on 7th for Kids on the weekends. J.D.'s in Scottsdale for Waylon Jennings, Rock and guest country including Glen Campbell. Best Steak Dinner was at Vince Pinta's "The Pines" a house on Camelback with limited seating every night. Durants was second for anniversarys and birthdays. Best dessert was apple pie a la mode with brandy cinnamon sauce at the Scottsdale Inn late night and after hours.
Bruces World of Sound was the first 4 track and first 8 track recording studio in Phoenix. The first FM radio station was KUPD (Cupid) and played real off the wall songs like the Guenther Kallman Choir, Mitch Miller etc.....I dined at Green Gables and was led in to the parking area by a knight on a white horse....The Playboy Club on Central in the 60's was the place to be. The Living Room Lounge had live Jazz every night and you could play bumper pool with the house bunny, who almost always won. If you won, you got a blazer pin with crossed cue sticks and the playboy bunny emblem. Park Central had the best Goldwaters, Otto Schneider and Sons Jewelers and a great smoke shop where you could buy pipe tobacco, Shermans, etc...Most Men's Formal Wear was rented from Lad T' Dad on 7th Ave where Max Schlissel and his wife , and their nephew Herb Sperber ran the store. Carnation Milk and Ice Cream had a great restaurant in front of their plant on Central and Indian School Rd, and you got great Ice Cream sundaes and cones. Mag's Ham and Bun was across the street at the same intersection and they had a following for their good sandwiches. The Original Phoenix McDonalds was just down the road toward Osborn on the same side of Central Ave.
Bob's Big Boy was the spot for a Big Boy Sandwich, Fries, and frozen Chocolate Shake in a pewter container. Golf was played at Phoenix Country Club where head pro Willie Low held court and trained young kids who caddied there. Most lived in the area and went to North High School. The Phoenix Open began there. Encanto Park also had a golf course but was always packed with boats for rent in the lagoon.....

Anonymous said...

My silkscreen printing company, (Bootleg Designs on Apache Blvd in Tempe), did the Dr. Munchies t-shirts for both the Scottsdale and Tempe stores in the mid-70's. A couple months back at a yard sale I ran across one of the original Munchies menu lithos by Ed Mell in a nice frame for $5. I know Ed and offered it to him but he had others and told me to get what I could for it. So I put it on Craigslist for $100. Got a call from a guy who'd worked at the Scottsdale store and let him negotiate the price down to $80. heh. So it turns out Dr.Munchies was not only one of my favorite late-night snack joints, but a money-maker account then and now, 40 years later.

Luke Allison

Unknown said...

The Jockey Club, Googs, Humpty Dumptys, the Carnation on Central, the Fountains apartments just south of Camelback on 7th st, Dooleys, The Pointe, Bobby McGees, KOPA, W Steven Martin on KTUF/KNIX, and KDKB was "Underground" radio. KUPD for cryin out loud!

Unknown said...

Conquistadore?

Unknown said...

And Pinnacle Peak Patio? It was so fat out there in '73"

Unknown said...

Finished 7th grade in Sunnyslope 71/72. Moved to Scottsdale (talk about night and day) and graduated from Kiva with 1 yr at Saguaro. Back to Phoenix in 77-79. Big Surf, Sabas, Wigwam, Hobo Joes, KDKB was "underground" radio. KRIZ, KRUX, and KUPD. W. Steven Martin on KTUF/KNIX (inspired me to want to do morning radio myself). KOPA FM. Parada Del Sol, was it Stuart Andersons Big Apple on Van Buren (with sawdust on the floor and the waitresses wore 6 shooters) Los Arcos mall. Indian Trails Horse Country Club and when Chaparrell High School opened, Rawhude, and yes Pinnacle Peak Patio WAY out in the boonies. I worked at Hardy Shoes in Metrocenter. The Compass Roomon too of Hyatt Regency where I proposed to my ex wife. Carnation, Macayos, and Lunt Avenue Marble Club. Bobby McGees. I too saw Star Wars and Alien at Cine Capri. Chris town, Park Avenue, and Thomas Malls. Humpty Dumpty's, Googs, The Pointe, Jockey Club, Bogarts, Wallace and Ladmo, Legend City (and the 3wheeler go cart place next door. Sun Decil Lounge, Dooleys, and a bar/night club that had live bands up AND down (I think) on Mill or something near the river that litterally anyone could get into in late 70s, never carded (does anyone remember the name?) Of course, Minder Binders with the stuffed horse! "Here's Cal Worthington and his dog Spot" and Tex Earnhardt "Hi folks...this aint no bull". The Fountains Apartments on 7th st south of Camelback. Loved all the memories from everyone!!!

Anonymous said...

I remember the pink sidewalk, Billy goat gruff's bridge and the giant checkerboard.

Unknown said...

There was Tower Records and Zia Records

Anonymous said...

Where was the giant checkerboard? Was that on top of the water reservoir? We went up there to party, at night; so I never saw a checkerboard. I remember the big hole in the tin topped reservoir and the pink concrete benches along the pink sidewalks.

Unknown said...

Oh yha I remember,that place

Anonymous said...

I was born in Phx 1962 remember going to the Big Sky Drive-In, the Flumes and yes it was scary!! Drag race down Central, went to West High, seen Rocky Horror Show and people dressed up. Use to go out and park to watch air planes coming in...Big Boys, etc. Good times!!

Unknown said...

i remember the midnight movies hosted by 98KUPD, they even had commercials for it at christown when they had the movie theater upstairs. you would have to buy your tickets at the box office a little ways down on the mainfloor. that little area was my favorite, right under the theater was the pet store and the toy store, then as you went outside there was charlie's house of fun more closer to 15th ave. great times. that was before christown turned ghetto. a couple other places that stood out was shadow mountain skating rink by the old greenway rd and cave creek, Al was the guy who ran it, he was cool but kind of a jerk. like he didn't care if kids were in the smoking room there. the smoking room was exactly that, teens would go in there and it would be completely smoked in there. it was crazy. does anyone remember that huge skating rink on either pima or mcclintock? remember there were 3 movie theaters at metro center? there was the one inside right above the ice skating rink, then there was metro villlage, and then metro park which had all the movie posters plastered on the walls and ceiling.

DeeDee said...

Ladmo moonlighted as the knight at Green Gables!

Anonymous said...

The skating rink on McClintock is Oceanside in Tempe and it's still there by Big Surf. I hadn't been on ice skates in years back in 1976. Took my girlfriend in there one night and did a full-speed spin and landed skated backwards. She was very impressed and claimed I was good at everything. Well, that memory outlasted that girlfriend by many years but for the brief moment I was the ICE KING!

Barbara Ross OConnor said...

I lived off of orange wood my dad went to Cactus Stables for maneur to spread on the lawn every year I also loved to ride horses there it was very close to squaw peak.We later moved out farther off of cave creek road.My friends and I would go to the Cactus Drive Inn.Was born and raised in Phoenix,loved Encanto Park we would go to the fishing derby every year.I loved to ride the little roller coaster there.I have many fond memories of my childhood .I just turned 70....wow how time flies along time ago I went Richard Sims Elementry Sunnyside Grade SHOOL AND Paradise Valley High School

Unknown said...

I remember getting my hair cut at Butter Inc. in Scottsdale as a young teen (my old bf David Robb designed their logo).......eating a "Croona Tuna" Melt at Lunt Avenue Marble Club, going to the Sugar Bowl (still there!) for a "Gosh Awful Gooey" Sundae. I also remember the Victoria Station Restaurant on Camelback Road - it was the hot place to be!!! Had a waiting line to be seated a couple of hours long. Gotta love AZ!

Unknown said...

My wife says it may have been "The Islands".

Unknown said...

I live clear across the country now, but was just telling my kids about the Gino's Pizza (probably spelled wrong) that was delivered fresh and so delicious, with cornmeal under the crust. Is it gone, too? We also loved Organ Stop Pizza, but Gino's was the BEST. Also, there was a sandwich place somewhere over towards Metro Center, on Bell maybe? It was called Bittercreek Sandwiches. Anyone remember that one?

Unknown said...

Zia Record Exchange

bloggerjim said...

Christown is STILL Christown. Only the management and owners of the mall call it Christown Spectrum Mall.

I was with the first freshman class at Central High, class of '61. Our generation of students established many of the traditions that held on for decades. I knew the girl who wrote the fight song. Well, I knew who she was.

I attended 7th and 8th grade at Osborn School. Kent Dana was in the graduating class ahead of us.

And, I attend nursery school, kindergarten, and the first grades at North Phoenix Baptist Church grade school when NPBC was at 3612 N. Central Avenue, just down the street.

I still miss Greer's Big G, LaCasita Restaurant, the Flame, Park Central as it was when it first opened, the Treasure Shop(s), and Bayless Grocery Markets. There was one escalator in town. And, the elevator at Korrick's Department Store was run by an attendant.

Phoenix was a great place to grow up.

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember The Hayloft at 35th and Glendale? A big nightclub with pool tables in front and a big dance floor and seating area in the rear. Played a mix of country and rock. A really good band. Had go-go dancers for awhile. Around 1965-68.

Anonymous said...

Does anybody remember Sir Georges buffet? My grandparents used to take us there in the early 70's. I loved it!

Anonymous said...

Standing in line at John Scotts Ore House on a Friday night...19th Ave and Montebello....across the street from the first Elephant Bar, the strip club for girls on Cave Creek...(I believe a little north of what is now the SR101) called CHEEKS, Popular Surplus, The Alladin Arcade on 27th Ave north of Missouri, Shop n Go before Circle K took over, Lou Grubb Chevrolet on 27th and Camelback, and I remember the "Rusty Nail" on Bell and 19th Ave was considered OUT IN THE BOONIES, my first house at 43rd and Bell Rd before Arrowhead was built, it was supposed to be a premier planned community that would be the "Scottsdale" for the West Side. Keg parties at the river bottom at 107th ave and Camelback, and who remembers Victoria Station restaurant (two train cars) at 18th St. and Camelback, Or if you were lucky...Oscar Taylors (Biltmore) Carrot Cake. OR a western town in the middle of the city at Bud Brown's Barn, East of 7th St. on Northern

Debbie said...

My husband worked at Alpine Village restaurant in the early 70's while in high school . It was on the corner of 7th Ave & Indian School. We also went to the Indian Drive-in movies and Big Sky Drive in.

ITALIAN STALLION said...

How many remember going to the mud bogs on 7th Street and Deer Valley called Deer Valley cycle park and desert party's held there with kegs and bomb fires burning pallets for all the teenagers we got chased by cops and a helicopter ?

Unknown said...

I remember Sir George's Buffet. We didn't go often, but I loved that restaurant. I lived in Phoenix from birth (1961) through age 27 and never once made it to Green Gables! It was such a cool looking place.

Anonymous said...

Don't remember mud bog's but do remember dirt biking off Jomax Re & the desert parties! Ah, the desert parties! Those were the day's my friend! Now, I don't know where or if kid's go to party, because those area's are all residential homes & strip mall's!
I AM SOOO GLAD I GREW UP IN THE 70'S! I'm proud to be a baby boomer!

Unknown said...

I miss my paper route....lol...Indian School RD to Osborn, 20th St to 24th Street. I also miss pink side walk as well as the rest of you that brought it up, it was a blast. Lafayette School "Mrs Kline, God she made me do the second grade over....lol.." Dairy Queen 28th Street Thomas & the real MANUELS at 32nd Street & Indian School...Oh, don't forget the little golf place next to Green Gables, if you spit water in the pinball machines quarter slots you could play for free....lol...Only a kid would know this...

Anonymous said...

Jordan's. I went to West High 19th and Thomas after our chorus concert. Mr. Huff, our chorus teacher would allow us to go there for lunch, as long g as we returned back to school on time.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the big green dinosaur on the roof of that exterminator company in Westown? It was on the Black Canyon frontage road at Larkspur Drive. I recall a news story where some kids stole it off of the roof and held it for ransom for a short time!

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember the monkey that took pennies at Christown mall? It was dressed in a red suit with a hat.

Unknown said...

I worked at Christown mall from 1977-1979. I remember the monkey well. He was a cute little guy in his little suit & hat.

Anonymous said...

I lived in Phoenix from the 70's through age 43 and never went to Green Gables either.
I too thought it cool looking. Did it have a knight on a horse statue out front?

Anonymous said...

Loved Edcel's Attic. Spinning Jenny was a favorite band.

Anonymous said...

The Firehouse steak house on the 1600 block of east Apache was a favorite of mine in the mid-70's. It was just down the sidewalk from my printing shop at 1711 in front of the "Modernette" trailer park. Great food from a waitress named "Dolly" and a bartender named "Ron" who could have done the Dos Equis "most interesting man in the world" beer commercials. He could have been that guy's twin brother. Ron made sure you knew he was dangerous if provoked. He once explained to me how the knot in his tie couldn't be grabbed and tightened to strangle him. Sure thing, Ron. I heard they closed the place recently...too bad. I hadn't been back since the 70's. But walking in off the blazing hot sidewalk, the Firehouse was a den of cool darkness and a welcome timeout for an hour or two.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the trains that you could dine in @ camelback and where the 51 IS is ?

Anonymous said...

Does anybody remember Dewey Hopper, I kind of remember him as a weather reporter on channel 12. I remember playing "TV Pow" lol

Anonymous said...

Yes, and I can remember this kind of strange elderly man always there dressed up in a kind of zoot suit

Anonymous said...

What about Brookshire's Restaurant on 16st. and McDowell?

Jerry said...

Do you remember the coffee shp Helsings on Grand and Van Buren and wrestling at Madison Square Garden?

Anonymous said...

Drive in movie I was never allowed to go however my aunt took me when i was 12 it was located on power road and main street. We saw the movie E.T. I loved it. Thank you Aunt Becky!!

Unknown said...

I remember most of these been here since 1961

Gary said...

What year did you graduate at Alhambra high.. Also remember low cost grocery store at 27 ave and bethany

Anonymous said...

Alhambra 77

Anonymous said...

What year did you graduate from Alhambra? Class of 77

Remember low cost grocery store?

Anonymous said...

Agh, I love reading all these! Moved to 59th & Northern when I was a year old in 1983, got the hell out as fast as I could in 2000, but love the nostalgia. I remember Lucky's - or "Yucky's" as we called it) at 59th and Northern, Min's Farm behind my parent's house (now another cookie cutter home development), cotton and orange tree fields where Arrowhead and the sports complexes are, Bitzee Mama's in downtown Glendale which still exists but starting sucking majorly after Carmen sold it, Metro Center (the ice rink!) and Golf 'n' Stuff aka Castles 'n' Coasters, Mary Coyle, concerts at Compton Terrace, the Nile and Club Rio (ok, technically Tempe), Encanto Park, Great Skate, Big Surf, Valley West Mall with the dollar movie theater where the film always melted partway through the movie (we spent countless hours there until there started to be more shootings than not), Pistol Pete's Pizza, Wildlife World Zoo, Channel 61 (was that the same thing as "The Box" in the 90s?), Macayo's, and it's still there but the "Gay Denny's" at 7th & Camelback where I spent waaaaay too much time in high school. I wouldn't move back for a million dollars, but there are so many good memories!

Anonymous said...

Besides Mr. Lucky's at 43rd Avenue & Grand, there were two other REALLY GOOD Country-Western Honkytonk bars - Harry's Capri on East Van Buren near 2oth Street (it's now used for storage and there's a Mexican nightclub next door called "El Capri")- and Magoo's on West Van Buren - as I recall,Ray Corbin's band was there. Waylon Jennings performed at JD's in the river bottom near Tempe and also, J. David Sloan had a great band at Mr. Lucky's. Mel Tillis performed at Mr. Lucky's, and I enjoyed his performance. REALLY GOOD TIMES in the 60s, 70s, 80s - truly the good old days.

Cassandra said...

Remember Caf'Casino French cafeteria style restaurant?

El Cid's dance hall.

Westridge Mall with the full size car that was coming out of the wall.

Bookshires where the late-night drag queens wore sequined dresses and looked fabulous. Hard to tell they were men! Great sausage crepes, spaghetti and meatballs, and rib plates there.

Doing a dabke (Arabic line dance) at Bobby McGees.

Devil House.

Le Jarden restaurant in downtown Phoenix.

Benihana's original tepanyaki (at your table grill).

Belly Dancing restaurant on 16th street.

Alpha Book Center metaphysical store.

Yellow Front stores

The first Tokyo Express on E. Thomas I think.

Greek Festival (before it got too big).

Little Moppets daycare centers.

Cost Plus Imports at metro center.

Mervyns, Joskes, Diamonds, Pic N Save.

Rocky Horror Picture Show in Scottsdale where some dressed up for the parts and where everyone brought props to use and chanted lewd phrases between the movie dialogue.

Dreamy Draw Drive.

Storer Cable company.

The Albino Blues singer.

Walkin' Cane Mark (real name was Mark Brem and he volunteered with Centerstage west).

The first time you heard someone call Target stores "Tarjhay" as though they were fine French stores.

Shadoe Stevens who did the "Fred Rated" character for the Federated stores commercials.

Don Jose restaurant.

Cheeks (strip club where men stripped for women).

I spent my 20's in Phoenix from 1980-87 and again from 1995-96.

Slut said...

Steve`s

Anonymous said...

Remember 12th Street Record Bar at 12th St. and Washington. "Mama's Little Boy Freddy" would broadcast live from there and teens from all over the valley would go there to make requests on the radio.

Uunknown said...

Anyone hanging out at Nelson's pool fighting for the tubes,here's to the old gang.How about the private parties on Saturday night and the clown shoes.

Ellyne said...

Does anyone remember the name of the restaurant in the late 60's early 70's on rural road near apache blvd or broadway?

I remember the teepee motel, mill street before renovations, El Rancho supermarket, Whataburger, College Drug Store in Tempe.

I went to school at ASU and Arizona is by far my favorite state.
All of your memories are wonderful. I can see them all.

I remember when Scottsdale Road ended and it was a dirt road to Cave Creek. Things may have changed but our memories are priceless.

Ellyne

Thomas Finnell said...

I remember the Beacon upholstery commercials. Miller institute commercial call 2-5-2-2-3-3-1 miller institute what we do, is train you, miller institute. From here we got to see the cal worthington car dealership commercial. If you want a good deal, go see cal, he was standing on his head.Don and Charleys.

Thomas Finnell said...

Grandys restaurant. They had the most buttery, fluffy rolls. Delicious fried chicken.

Anonymous said...

Circles...

Anonymous said...

The Company store in Scottsdale 1968 - 1973
Great posters and fun stuff.

Anonymous said...

WOW! Dave Munsey has retired after 42 years as a Phoenix TV weatherman. I got down here to stay in October of 1974 and remember him from my first few nights of watching Phoenix television. His must be some kind of record for broadcast years at one station, anywhere. Dave is a Vietnam Vet and became a Phoenix institution. He signed off the last broadcast with his standard line: "Watch your kids around water". Enjoy your retirement Mr. Munsey and thanks for all you've done for Phoenix.

Anonymous said...

Mugs up drive-in on 47th Ave & Indian by Landis. Climbing the back of Big Sky to retrieve pigeon eggs.The farmers house on 43rd Ave and Camelback,Moore Drug,Put n Take grocery and Maryvale tavern later the Purple Turtle "home of the halfpound steer burger". EZ lock and key in the shack in the parking lot at Maryvale Terrace.Yellow Front,Yates,Arnolds 2X4, and Casa Carman Mexican food on 35th ave.Wal-boy and company with the stage that was towed from park to park doing free shows and giving away Ladmo bags.Govway super market, Neilsons pool on 19th Ave by the canal with cold water and inter tubes.The old Good Sam before that weird looking building replaced it.Dozens of Car dealers on west Glendale Ave.Max's sports bar/theater 47th Ave & Glendale.Ladmo,Jon Brickson from channel 5 sports liked that place. Ladmos restaurants. Then there was Bill Compton from KDKB (Compton Terrace),Toad Hall, Wonderful Russ on KDKB,Jonathan Brandmeir on KZZP and that weather guy on channel 12 that drew cartoons during his forecast?? Dave Nichols on channel 3,and the the valleys love affair with Mary Jo West on channel 10.That time that guy with a gun held Bill Close hostage on channel 10 during a live newscast? Arkies auto parts and the millions of $ that he buried at his store and dying during his divorce trial at the court house.Clint Eastwood filming "The Gauntlet" .The Meat Puppets! Partying at the "towers" (high voltage power lines)on the west side.Then recently,the Grand Prix downtown during August of all times!

Melanie panzella said...

Bob gosnell developer of 16th and northern

Anonymous said...

7th Street just north of Highland.

Cathy said...

Remember going to Mr. Lucky's to dance on Friday and Saturday nights, a truly great time. And living at the Apts. on Polk and 7th street.

Claudia Kooyman said...

Debbie cooper I went to Maryland elementary. had my first boyfriend there he was also my first kiss. we would hang out at Christown Mall. Montgomery ward had an elevators that you could open between the floors and it would stop the elevator and that is where I got my first kiss. Great memories love this blog

Anonymous said...

Evidently not the real Tom Mix who died near Florence in 1940?

Anonymous said...

Used to go to Fifth National Bank on Central/Indian School in the early 70's, $3 cover and 10 cent beer. Felt sorry for the waitresses, pretty rowdy place.

Unknown said...

Great days, great times! I graduated in Maryvale's first class in 1964!
Patrick Neely

Susan said...

Bud Brown's Barn on Northern Avenue between 12th Street and 7th Street...south side. All of my Girl Scout 'Father Daughter' Banquets were held there. My mom and dad always went Square Dancing there. We use to shop at El Rancho Markets and my mom got every bit of wall paper...paste...paint...etc at Standard Brands at Grand Avenue and Camelback Road. We use to ride horses at Cactus Rock Stables on Dreamy Draw. Would ride horses bare-back along the canal behind The Biltmore Resort. Went to Madison Simis and Central High School. Born and raised in Phoenix. In elementary school Northern Avenue at 12th Street was a gravel road. We would ride our bikes to 'Rapid Mart' for ice cream and huge pickles at 12th Street and Glendale Avenue. My church, Cross Roads Methodist Church, before it was ever built at Central Avenue and Northern was held every Sunday in my elementary school cafeteria! Saw The Sound of Music at the Palms Theatre on Central Avenue. We also shopped at A J. Bayless, Rexall Drugs, Deer 'O Paints, Grants, and S & H Green Stamps at Glendale Avenue and 7th Street all my years of growing up. Oh...and the Pixie Doll Shop on Camelback. Got my first Barbie and Ken dolls at Fedmart off of Grand Avenue. Gov Way on Indian School Rd. had the best carmel popcorn. Walked through all the citrus tree orchards to get to grade school. It would be so cold at Halloween,when we were little, that my mom would have us wear long pants under our costumes. All our birthday parties were either at Jungle Park Zoo or at Encanto Park amusement park. They provided the cakes...games...prizes...everything.

The Suburban Cowgirl said...

Oh, wow. I am sooo glad I stumbled over this. I was googling "Cactus Stables" just to see if there was anything on the internet about it and a couple of posters mentioned it and brought this blog into my search results. What a trip down memory lane! I'm going to have to print this out as a memory aid when I start getting Alzheimer's. The things I'd forgotten.... my favorite: Mother Tucker's -- I still mourn the closing of that restaurant. But the thing I am struck by the most was everyone describing things they were OUT DOING, places they WORKED, places they WENT. Today's generation? Their noses stuck in their smartphones and not even seeing all the things around them. 50 years from now, someone will write about growing up in Phoenix in the 2000+'s and the posters will be talking about Twitter, and Facebook, and cat memes, and action adventure movies -- not about the adventures they themselves had when they were growing up. I'm glad I was a baby boomer (now 62, moved to Maryvale in 1957 when I was 2) and that few of my memories involve being inside the house. I think this fast-paced, instant-gratification life we have now has robbed an entire generation of the joy of discovery that was a part of growing up in the past.

jclark3020 said...

I am trying to get the name of the restaurant and lounge that was on the west side of North Central Avenue just north of Missouri Ave (and north of the church) in around 1967-1968 and looks to now be part of the church parking

jclark3020 said...

I worked at a nice restaurant and lounge north of Missouri Ave in 1967 or 1968
to earn money for college. It was on west side of Central Ave just north of the
church on the NW corner of Central and Missouri. In fact as I looked on Google maps
I think the church must have absorbed that whole area for additional parking. Does anyone remember the name of that restaurant?

Anonymous said...

I remember the fish tanks at Thomas Mall. They had piranhas in them and there was always rumors going around that someone climbed in and got eaten up! And what about the stock yards where all the cows were. The smell was the worse..lol I was born in Tempe in 1956. Miss the old Phoenix.

Anonymous said...

I lived in Phoenix from 1973 through 2005.
I remember a restaurant on West side of Central, I thought around Northern or Glendale. It was called Willy & Guierrmo's. Spelling it wrong I know, but it was a great Mexican food restaurant.

Unknown said...

I remember eating at Woody's El Nido around 3 Ave & McDowell

Anonymous said...

I remember El Molino's but it was like South of Van Buren approx 21st Street. I also remember Rito's Mexican Food ! It was and still is in a house at 14th Street & Garfield ! They have never had a sign, they are only open like 6 hours a day. Hands down the best red chile burrito's in Arizona !!!!!

RICHARD SGRIGNOLI said...

I got my hair cut at LHI at 35th and Bethany. Wish I remembered her name. Had a big crush on her. Drove all the way from Casa Grande to have her cut my hair.

J'Anne said...

What was the name of the restaurant at Tower Plaza that had half a car on the main entrance?

Unknown said...

YES!!!,I remember watching wrestling and rollerberby, but you forgot "World beyond" 10:30 Saturday mornings, then "The outer limits" at noon on channel 5.

Unknown said...

Organ stop is now in Mesa on southern and Stapley

Unknown said...

Used to shop at the Genco on Thunderbird, thought it was WAY out there. Also the mudbogs (?), and listening to Dr. Demento on Sunday night (I think that's when it aired (on a.m. radio, yep I'm that old)

Unknown said...

The Village Inn on 35th Ave and Thunderbird, and the little movie theater at 35th Ave and Cactus. Saw Grease there and my mom snuck in candy and soda in her purse

Anonymous said...

Does anyone remember the snow shop in tempe early 80s can't reember the name also mexican restaurant around the corner from a El rancho grocery they had huge grill as you walked in and mariachi musicians

Unknown said...

Does anyone remember STUCKEYS? It was the only place to stop if you were driving between Phoenix and Tucson. It had food and Indian/western nic nacs and junk. My dad use to buy something called, Guava paste there and eat it on crackers. Wo be unto the person who would steal his guava paste on Saturday Mornings while watching H.R Puff and Stuff!

Also, does anyone remember SCOTTSDALE ATHLETIC CLUB on Scottsdale Road? It was owned by Miss Arizona Bodybuilder, Linda Kropp and her husband Ted, I think he was a fireman. My favorite gym of all time, including Venice Gym in California.
Saying hello to Ray, Michelle and Darren and the rest of the gang there!

Unknown said...

Mary Walker,

My Mom snuck in a thermos of Lemonade and the biggest piece of American Cheese known to man when we went to see Star Wars at Cine Capri.
Does anyone remember the french cafeteria next door to Cine Capri? I cant remember the name. We would eat there, walk around Barrows looking in the windows at furniture until it was time to go into the Cine Capri for the movie.

We went to see Titanic there the night it closed for good, they timed the ship sinking with Cine Capri ownership transfer at midnight. My best friend balled her head off in the car on the way home!

Unknown said...

I cant believe I havent seen anyone else mention this--

JUTENHOOPS!!!!!!! at Town and Country Mall. There is not a person in thier 40s plus who lived in phoenix in the 1980s who did not go to Jutenhoops.

Unknown said...

PINK PONY steak house on Scottsdale Road

VBullock said...

I remember ALL. Laughing, what good memories. Los Olivos...wonderful. Anyone remember The Sawmill or Dolan's in Scottsdale? Corner of Camelback and Scottsdale Rd. Graduated Scottsdale High 1965. Sang and danced in the Pepsi Saloon at Legend City. Great fun. I remember if you drove out to Shea Blvd, you had to have a full tank of gas, food and water. Nothing out there. We used to go to the Verde River and play. What fun.....good memories

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