Ranked list Story Audio

Menu

Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time.

Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time.

in Places & People

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

1.2k Views

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 4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

3 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

4200 Block of N. Central Ave, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 Rotary Club Event, 1942

Rotary Club Event, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 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

Upvote Downvote

#5 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#9 Orpheum Theatre Marquee at Night, 1942

Orpheum Theatre Marquee at Night, 1942

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#10 Street Scene, 1942

Street Scene, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#11 Street Scene Showing Carnival, 1942

Street Scene Showing Carnival, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#12 Front of House, 1942

Front of House, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

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

View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#14 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#15 Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

Phoenix Bus Terminal, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#17 Damaged Airplanes at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

Damaged Airplanes at Sky Harbor Airport, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

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

Scrap Rubber in Front of the Orpheum Theatre, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#20 Road in Desert, 1942

Road in Desert, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#21 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#22 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#23 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#24 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#25 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#26 Safeway Store, 1942

Safeway Store, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#30 Houses in Phoenix, 1942

Houses in Phoenix, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#31 Cattle in Stockyard, 1942

Cattle in Stockyard, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#32 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#33 Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#34 Central Beverage Co. Building Exterior, 1942

Central Beverage Co. Building Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#35 Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

Paul Bennett Super Service Station Street View, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#36 Central Beverage Co. Building Interior, 1942

Central Beverage Co. Building Interior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#40 Bungalow Court, 1942

Bungalow Court, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#41 Andrew C. James Home, 1942

Andrew C. James Home, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#42 Produce Section at Safeway, 1942

Produce Section at Safeway, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#43 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#44 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#45 Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

Safeway Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#46 Dorris-Heyman Furniture Company Building, 1942

Dorris-Heyman Furniture Company Building, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#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

Upvote Downvote

#48 Community Concert Association Members, 1942

Community Concert Association Members, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#49 Central Christian Church Building Exterior, 1942

Central Christian Church Building Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#50 Mining Equipment on Railroad Car, 1942

Mining Equipment on Railroad Car, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

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

Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Sign at Night, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#52 Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Store Exterior, 1942

Walsh Bros. Office Equipment Store Exterior, 1942

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

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

View From 1250 S. 7th Ave, 1942

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

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

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

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

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

War Bond and Stamp Promotion at the Orpeum Theater, 1942

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

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.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

Next post

Back to Top

Close Add post

Share this Post 🥺

Please take a moment to share this content. Your support is greatly appreciated! 🙌🙏