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in Places & People

A Visual Tour of Phoenix, Az in 1942 through These Fascinating Photos

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Phoenix and Arizona began the 1940s with a robust local economy, primarily because of the New Deal’s generosity. Phoenix emerged from the Great Depression thanks to stimulus spending. During this time, Americans were doing better and traveling. They were staying at new resorts such as the Arizona Biltmore, Camelback Inn, Jokake Inn, Adobe House, Ingleside Inn, Wigwam Guest Ranch, and San Marcos at Chandler.

In the 1940s, Phoenix was primarily a Southern and Western city. Many establishments and schools were segregated. While Chinese entrepreneurs operated groceries throughout the city, Chinatown remained intact downtown. Hispanics and blacks were prohibited from buying or living north of Van Buren Street.

These fascinating vintage photos offer a visual tour of old Phoenix in 1942.

#1 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

5 Points

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#2 4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

4 Points

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#3 4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

3 Points

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#4 Rotary Club Event, 1942

Rotary Club Event, 1942

2 Points

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#5 U.S. Bond Parade, 1942. The parade is moving south on Central Ave. at the intersection of Central Ave. and W. Monroe St.

U.S. Bond Parade, 1942. The parade is moving south on Central Ave. at the intersection of Central Ave. and W. Monroe St.

2 Points

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#6 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

2 Points

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#7 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

2 Points

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#8 Parishioners Outside the First Colored Baptist Church, 1942. This church stood on the southeast corner of 5th and Jefferson Streets in Phoenix.

Parishioners Outside the First Colored Baptist Church, 1942. This church stood on the southeast corner of 5th and Jefferson Streets in Phoenix.

2 Points

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#9 Orpheum Theatre Marquee at Night, 1942

Orpheum Theatre Marquee at Night, 1942

2 Points

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#10 Street Scene, 1942

Street Scene, 1942

1 Point

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#11 Street Scene Showing Carnival, 1942

Street Scene Showing Carnival, 1942

1 Point

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#12 Front of House, 1942

Front of House, 1942

1 Point

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#13 View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

1 Point

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#14 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

1 Point

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#15 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

1 Point

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#16 Damaged Airplane in Front of Hangar at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

Damaged Airplane in Front of Hangar at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

1 Point

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#17 Damaged Airplanes at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

Damaged Airplanes at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

1 Point

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#18 Scrap Rubber in Front of the Orpheum Theatre, 1942

Scrap Rubber in Front of the Orpheum Theatre, 1942

1 Point

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#19 Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and N. First Ave, 1942

Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and N. First Ave, 1942

1 Point

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#20 Road in Desert, 1942

Road in Desert, 1942

1 Point

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#21 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#22 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#23 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#24 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

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#25 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

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#26 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

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#27 W. Van Buren Street. 1942. View looking west toward the intersection of Van Buren and Third Ave.

W. Van Buren Street. 1942. View looking west toward the intersection of Van Buren and Third Ave.

1 Point

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#28 Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and Central Avenue, 1942. Office Equipment, Coulter’s Used Cars (312 N. Central) and Western Auto Supply (247 N. 1st Ave) are visible

Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and Central Avenue, 1942. Office Equipment, Coulter's Used Cars (312 N. Central) and Western Auto Supply (247 N. 1st Ave) are visible

1 Point

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#29 Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and Central Ave. at Night, 1942

Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and Central Ave. at Night, 1942

1 Point

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#30 Houses in Phoenix, 1942

Houses in Phoenix, 1942

1 Point

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#31 Cattle in Stockyard, 1942

Cattle in Stockyard, 1942

1 Point

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#32 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#33 Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

1 Point

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#34 Central Beverage Co. Building Exterior, 1942

Central Beverage Co. Building Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#35 Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

1 Point

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#36 Central Beverage Co. Building Interior, 1942

Central Beverage Co. Building Interior, 1942

1 Point

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#37 Students and Staff Outside of the Phoenix Union Colored High School, 1942

Students and Staff Outside of the Phoenix Union Colored High School, 1942

1 Point

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#38 Balke Building, 1942. This building stood on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Adams.

Balke Building, 1942. This building stood on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Adams.

1 Point

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#39 Balke Building, 1942. This building stood on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Adams.

Balke Building, 1942. This building stood on the northeast corner of 1st Avenue and Adams.

1 Point

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#40 Bungalow Court, 1942

Bungalow Court, 1942

1 Point

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#41 Andrew C. James Home, 1942

Andrew C. James Home, 1942

1 Point

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#42 Produce Section at Safeway, 1942

Produce Section at Safeway, 1942

1 Point

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#43 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#44 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#45 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#46 Dorris-Heyman Furniture Company Building, 1942

Dorris-Heyman Furniture Company Building, 1942

1 Point

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#47 Marquee for the Orpheum Theatre During the Showing of “Captains of the Clouds”, 1942

Marquee for the Orpheum Theatre During the Showing of "Captains of the Clouds", 1942

1 Point

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#48 Community Concert Association Members, 1942

Community Concert Association Members, 1942

1 Point

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#49 Central Christian Church Building Exterior, 1942

Central Christian Church Building Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#50 Mining Equipment on Railroad Car, 1942

Mining Equipment on Railroad Car, 1942

1 Point

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#51 Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Sign at Night, 1942

Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Sign at Night, 1942

1 Point

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#52 Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Store Exterior, 1942

Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

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#53 View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

0 Points

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#54 Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and 1st Ave, 1942

Intersection of W. Van Buren St. and 1st Ave, 1942

0 Points

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#55 War Bond and Stamp Promotion at the Orpeum Theater, 1942

War Bond and Stamp Promotion at the Orpeum Theater, 1942

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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