This brings back so many memories! My family moved to Phoenix in 1948. Over the next 50 years I spent a lot of time downtown, shopping at Hanny’s, Lerners, Goldwaters, Korricks…..so many more. Now, all gone. Thank you for the memories! 👍🏻
I always liked the small stores with their signs overhanging the sidewalk. People really did window shop in those days. This video shows clearly that those shops are pretty much gone. Our society has moved from small shops lining streets in big cities and small towns, to mega shopping malls, and now to online purchasing and home delivery. We have gone full cycle from waiting for the Wells Fargo Wagon to arrive to waiting for the Amazon Delivery Van to show up. It's crazy.
I worked on central late 80s There was something ghastly about the place... but now I have dear memories of walking around and wondering what it might have been like in the Golden age and what it could be like if only there were public transit and something to draw people to the center There was this constant idea called "revitalizing downtown" that was taken seriously In other cities you might call it gentrification but phoenix downtown after 5pm was no longer a place to buy a hot dog. Desolate in its emptiness in contrast to the "abundance" that moving to the Valley of the Sun was supposed to be... if moving out west meant leaving the rust belt... Now I see half of my imaginary plans for the space came true-- public transport... densification... stadiums... we could only dream about it back then. I spoze they still cruise central in their low riders? This tiny space of urban America had a profound and lasting effect on my art and imagination that still holds. Thanks so a lot.
Absolutely true story. I was offered a job in the penthouse of the Adams Hotel as a "personal hostess" in the hotel's exclusive men's club. I was guaranteed $600 a week plus additional tips. It was a very hush, hush offer. That was 1966 and that was a lot of money for a young girl, no matter the means of earning it. However, I graciously turned it down.
When I moved to Phoenix in the mid-70s downtown looked much the same as in the video. The architecture of several of the old hotels and commercial buildings was varied and interesting. I think the Valley National Bank building across the across from the San Carlos Hotel was new then and one of the first large scale contemporary buildings downtown. Alas, much of that is gone. On the positive side, however, in the 70s, there were several blocks of dilapidated buildings, flop houses and dangerous areas which were replaced with the convention center and later the Suns arena, bars and restaurants and plenty of night activities.
I worked at the Adams Hotel in 79-80..Thankfully those walls can't talk.. Then during the 90's, was working various State jobs. Now not able too work anywhere. know that the town was friendlier in the late 70's an early 80's
Yeah. I grew up in the country, but I was born in Phoenix. I will always support local. But I do not support overpopulation. I love Phoenix, but after 16years living in this overcrowded cesspool of shit anymore. I'm literally being driven insane. I'm moving to Showlow in 6mo. It'll be easier in the smaller town life again.
I remember growing up in the late 80s to early 90s, my bank was called the Valley National Bank of Arizona. In the early 90s, they changed it to Bank One (Now Chase Tower).
Renovations are impossible to avoid. At the time they're done, they're welcome by most everyone. It's only much later when people get nostalgic and wish it to revert back to the old times.
Wow!!! I left Phoenix in 83... I miss it will always be home to me... Thank you for sharing..
This brings back so many memories! My family moved to Phoenix in 1948. Over the next 50 years I spent a lot of time downtown, shopping at Hanny’s, Lerners, Goldwaters, Korricks…..so many more. Now, all gone. Thank you for the memories! 👍🏻
I always liked the small stores with their signs overhanging the sidewalk. People really did window shop in those days. This video shows clearly that those shops are pretty much gone. Our society has moved from small shops lining streets in big cities and small towns, to mega shopping malls, and now to online purchasing and home delivery. We have gone full cycle from waiting for the Wells Fargo Wagon to arrive to waiting for the Amazon Delivery Van to show up. It's crazy.
My beautiful city. It’s changed so much from the 80’s when I grew up.
I worked on central late 80s
There was something ghastly about the place... but now I have dear memories of walking around and wondering what it might have been like in the Golden age and what it could be like if only there were public transit and something to draw people to the center
There was this constant idea called "revitalizing downtown" that was taken seriously
In other cities you might call it gentrification but phoenix downtown after 5pm was no longer a place to buy a hot dog. Desolate in its emptiness in contrast to the "abundance" that moving to the Valley of the Sun was supposed to be... if moving out west meant leaving the rust belt...
Now I see half of my imaginary plans for the space came true-- public transport... densification... stadiums... we could only dream about it back then.
I spoze they still cruise central in their low riders?
This tiny space of urban America had a profound and lasting effect on my art and imagination that still holds.
Thanks so a lot.
Thank you! Brings back so many memories. Learners, Flame, Millers.... great time to grow up in Phoenix.
Absolutely true story. I was offered a job in the penthouse of the Adams Hotel as a "personal hostess" in the hotel's exclusive men's club. I was guaranteed $600 a week plus additional tips. It was a very hush, hush offer. That was 1966 and that was a lot of money for a young girl, no matter the means of earning it. However, I graciously turned it down.
You must of been very good looking lol
AYYYYE
Grew up downtown, 9th st & Van Buren, went to Monroe School. Them was the days!
Well, at least Hanny’s is still there. But instead of a store I can’t afford to shop it, it’s a restaurant I can’t afford to eat at.
Haha! True.
Liked it better back then
I loved Central Avenue.
Wide two lane street in each direction from South Central all the way up north to Dunlap
When I moved to Phoenix in the mid-70s downtown looked much the same as in the video. The architecture of several of the old hotels and commercial buildings was varied and interesting. I think the Valley National Bank building across the across from the San Carlos Hotel was new then and one of the first large scale contemporary buildings downtown. Alas, much of that is gone. On the positive side, however, in the 70s, there were several blocks of dilapidated buildings, flop houses and dangerous areas which were replaced with the convention center and later the Suns arena, bars and restaurants and plenty of night activities.
Excellent video thank you for sharing
I worked at the Adams Hotel in 79-80..Thankfully those walls can't talk.. Then during the 90's, was working various State jobs. Now not able too work anywhere. know that the town was friendlier in the late 70's an early 80's
Lol what would the walls say?
You probably remember the Don Boles bomb attack!
Phoenix is turning into Los Angeles and it's a sad sight to see......gone are the days i guess.
Yeah. I grew up in the country, but I was born in Phoenix. I will always support local. But I do not support overpopulation. I love Phoenix, but after 16years living in this overcrowded cesspool of shit anymore. I'm literally being driven insane. I'm moving to Showlow in 6mo. It'll be easier in the smaller town life again.
This should be updated. Phoenix changes so much every year.
Gotta keep up with the too many useless people overpopulating the place. It's disgusting really. There is too many people in this world.
I remember growing up in the late 80s to early 90s, my bank was called the Valley National Bank of Arizona. In the early 90s, they changed it to Bank One (Now Chase Tower).
Thanks for this. Brings back a lot of memories.
You know Dave's coffee shop over there on Adams
Excellent video. Thanks for uploading it. I think it's a shame that they renovated most of the buildings.
Renovations are impossible to avoid. At the time they're done, they're welcome by most everyone. It's only much later when people get nostalgic and wish it to revert back to the old times.
I love this!
This video makes me sad. I wish we could go back..
Downtown phoenix with no construction going on versus today 2022
anyone remember what a big deal it was when the population hit 500,000?
I wish they chose not to stucco over everything
Cory Vandenbos true but at least it keeps temperatures down indoors.
Wonder how stark of a difference today is going to be in 2075?