In 1940, the population of Phoenix was over 65,000, and the city was growing rapidly. As home air conditioning became more affordable following the war, the population grew substantially. In that period, hundreds of manufacturing firms relocated from other parts of the country.
Many of the men who had been trained in Arizona returned to their families after the war. Many large industries moved their operations to the area after learning of this large pool of untapped labor. The high-tech industry began to develop in Phoenix when Motorola chose Phoenix as the site for its new research and development center for military electronics in 1948. Like Motorola, other high-tech companies, such as Intel and McDonnell Douglas, moved into the valley and opened manufacturing operations.
Below are some fascinating historical photos that show what Phoenix looked like in 1940. These photos show streets, buildings, landmarks, and everyday life.
#1 Central Ave. Underpass Construction, Phoenix, 1940
#2 Orpheum Theatre Audience Area, Phoenix, 1940
#3 Mehagian Furniture Store Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#4 Biltmore Acres, Phoenix, 1940
#5 Arizona Motel, Phoenix, 1940
This motel is located at 2625 E. Van Buren Street in Phoenix.
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Wow
#6 Building and Men Standing in front of Barq Delivery Trucks, 1940
#7 Central Arizona Light and Power Co. Employee, Phoenix, 1940
#8 S. Central Ave. Underpass, Phoenix, 1940
#9 Bread Delivery Trucks at Safeway Pay’n Take It Bakery Loading Dock, Phoenix, Arizona, 1940
#10 Central Avenue Dairy Building Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#11 1st Avenue, Phoenix, 1940
#12 Barq’s Root Beer Bottles on Bottling Machinery, Phoenix, 1940
#13 Intersection of E. Camelback Road and N. 16th Street, Phoenix, 1940
#14 Casa del Sol Auto Court from Street, Phoenix, 1940
#15 Mormon Temple Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#16 Parade in Phoenix, Phoenix, 1940
#17 Central Arizona Light & Power Co. Warehouse, Phoenix, 1940
This structure was built in 1928 and is located at 501 S. Third Ave. Central Arizona Light & Power Co. is now the Arizona Public Service Company.
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I work for APS and have been inside this building. It is now all basically cubicles. Would love to see it restored.
#18 A. J. Bayless Co. Store Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#19 Farmers Produce Co. Building Exterior and Car, Phoenix, 1940
#20 Grand Avenue at the corner of Lateral 4 near Thomas Rd., Phoenix, 1940
#21 Indian Sanatorium, Phoenix, 1940
#22 Intersection of Washington St. and Central Ave, Phoenix, 1940
#23 J. J. Newberry’s Store, Phoenix, 1940
#24 Dental Equipment Display in the Professional Building, Phoenix, 1940
#25 Nurses in Front of St. Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix, 1940
#26 O. S. Stapley Co. Fair Display, Phoenix, 1940
#27 Parking Garage Interior with Cars, Phoenix, 1940
#28 Safeway Store Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#29 American Standard Radiator and Sanitary Supply Building
#30 Arizona Tractor and Equipment Company, Phoenix, 1940
#31 Barrett’s Super Service Building Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#32 Goodyear Test Fleet, Phoenix, 1940
#33 Delivery Trucks and Drivers Outside the Kraft Cheese Products Company Distribution Building, Phoenix, 1940
#34 Dr. Scholls Shoe Store Interior, Phoenix, 1940
#35 Porter’s Store Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#36 Grand Café Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#37 Railroad Crossing on 19th Avenue, Phoenix, 1940
#38 Rural Road, Phoenix, 1940
#39 St. Joseph’s Hospital Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#40 W. P. Fuller Company Building Exterior and Railroad Tracks, Phoenix, 1940
#41 Windsor Hotel Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#42 Woman and Young Boy Standing next to a Santa Fe Train, Phoenix, 1940
#43 1900-2000 Block of W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, 1940
#44 Alabam Freight Company Building, Phoenix, 1940
#45 People Boarding Phoenix Bus, Phoenix, 1940
#46 Ranch House Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#47 Ranch House Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#48 Rancho Ko-Mat-Ke Guests on Golf Course, Phoenix, 1940
#49 Studer Residence Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#50 Tovrea Meat Company Packing Plant Building Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#51 Trinity Cathedral Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#52 Window Display of A. B. C. Washers and Ironers, Phoenix, 1940
#53 Blue Diamond Freightways Lot, 1940
#54 Fiesta Parade Heading South on Central Avenue near Filmore Street, Phoenix, 1940
#55 Goetz Ice Co. Building Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#56 Lightning Moving Company Movers and Truck Moving Furniture into Residence, Phoenix, 1940
#57 E. W. Duhame Construction Co. Lake Project Site, Phoenix, 1940
#58 Salt River Project Diesel Plant Exterior, Phoenix, 1940
#59 One of the main streets of Phoenix, Arizona, 1940
#60 Tourist court in Phoenix, Arizona, 1940
#61 View of large packing plant and adjacent pens, Phoenix, Arizona, 1940
#62 C. W. Freelove Residence, 1940
#63 Cady Residence, Phoenix, 1940
#64 Central Arizona Light and Power Co. Facility Under Construction, Phoenix, 1940
#65 City Ice Delivery Company Loading Dock, Phoenix, 1940
This building was located at 21 N. 4th Street.
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I used to go to raves there in the 90s lol
