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Phoenix in 1941: A Photographic Snapshot of a City on the Brink of War

In 1941, Phoenix, Arizona was a rapidly growing city with a population of approximately 82,000 people. The city had developed into a major center for agriculture, with cotton, citrus, and cattle being the main products. During this time, Phoenix was also becoming a major hub for the construction of military training facilities and airfields, due to its clear skies and open desert terrain.

The economy in Phoenix was primarily driven by the agricultural industry, with cotton, citrus and cattle being the main products. Additionally, there was also a growing tourism industry, with many visitors coming to the city to enjoy the warm weather and scenic desert landscapes.

The city had a relatively small downtown area, but it was home to several notable buildings, including the state Capitol building, which was completed in 1900, and the city’s first skyscraper, the Luhrs Building, which was completed in 1924.

In 1941, the city was not yet directly involved in World War II and the war had not yet had a major impact on Phoenix. However, the city was beginning to feel the effects of the war as the national economy shifted towards war production. As the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Phoenix would see a significant increase in military presence and war production, which would have a major impact on the city’s economy and population growth.

#1 Arizona Motel. This motel is located at 2625 E. Van Buren Street in Phoenix, 1941

#4 Arizona Sand & Rock Co. Flatbed Truck, 1941

Arizona Sand & Rock Co. Flatbed Truck, 1941

#5 Phoenix Drive-In Theatre. This theatre was located at 3600 E. Van Buren Street, 1941

#7 Unidentified Streetscape, 1941

Unidentified Streetscape, 1941

#11 O’Malley Lumber Co. Trucks, 1941

O'Malley Lumber Co. Trucks, 1941

#12 Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. Building Exterior, 1941

#13 Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. Building and Lot, 1941

Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. Building and Lot, 1941

#14 J. J. Newberry Co. Building Exterior. This store was located at 36 W. Washington, 1941

#15 Intersection of Washington St. and Central Ave., 1941

#16 Woman and Young Boy Standing Next to a Santa Fe Train, 1941

#19 Parade in Phoenix. This parade is moving south past Stults’ Eagle Drug Store located at 102-106 S. Central in Phoenix. The Luhrs Tower is visible in the background, 1941

#20 Grand Café Exterior, 1941

Grand Café Exterior, 1941

#21 State Tractor & Equipment Co. Building Exterior, 1941

#22 State Tractor & Equipment Co. Building Interior, 1941

#23 Lightning Moving & Warehouse Co. Warehouse, 1941

Lightning Moving & Warehouse Co. Warehouse, 1941

#25 Fruehauf Trailer Co. Building Exterior and Truck, 1941

#26 Fruehauf Trailer Co. Building Exterior and Trucks, 1941

#27 Fruehauf Trailer Co. Building Exterior and Trucks, 1941

#28 Rock House Erected by Hezekiah Alexander in Charlotte, North Carolina, 1941

#30 Safeway Store Exterior, 1941

Safeway Store Exterior, 1941

#33 Salt River Project Diesel Plant Exterior, 1941

Salt River Project Diesel Plant Exterior, 1941

#40 Barrett’s Super Service Building Exterior, 1941

Barrett's Super Service Building Exterior, 1941

#43 Nelson Electric Co. Building Exterior, 1941

Nelson Electric Co. Building Exterior, 1941

#45 Grand Avenue. Grand Avenue at the corner of Lateral 4 near Thomas Rd., 1941

#50 American Standard Radiator and Sanitary Supply Building, 1941

American Standard Radiator and Sanitary Supply Building, 1941

#53 Cady Residence, 1941

Cady Residence, 1941

#54 O’Connell Brothers Automobile Repair Shop Exterior, 1941

#55 O’Connell Brothers Automobile Repair Shop Exterior, 1941

#60 E. W. Duhame Construction Company Site, 1941

E. W. Duhame Construction Company Site, 1941

#63 Boston Store Lingerie Department, 1941

Boston Store Lingerie Department, 1941

#68 Frank Parmenter Co. Food Store Equipment Interior, 1941

#69 Andy Chuka Printing and Picture Framing Store, 1941

#70 Carl White Texaco Company Interior, 1941

Carl White Texaco Company Interior, 1941

#73 Railroad Crossing on 19th Avenue, 1941

Railroad Crossing on 19th Avenue, 1941

#74 N. 1st Avenue. Depicts the 40 block of N. 1st Ave. Visible are Bell’s Sporting Goods (40 N. 1st) and New Arizona Seed & Floral Co. (46 N. 1st), 1941

#75 1st Avenue. Depicts the 40 block of N. 1st Ave. Visible are Bell’s Sporting Goods (40 N. 1st), New Arizona Seed & Floral Co. (46 N. 1st), and Christmas decorations, 1941

#77 Hanson Pump and Machine Works Building Exterior, 1941

#78 Hanson Pump and Machine Works Building Exterior, 1941

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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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