Phoenix in 1945: A Photographic Journey Through a City After War

In 1945, Phoenix, Arizona was a rapidly growing city with a population of approximately 120,000 people. The city had developed into a major center for agriculture and military, with cotton, citrus, and cattle being the main agricultural products and several military bases for training and production.

During this time, Phoenix continued to play an important role in the war effort through the production of war materials and the training of military personnel. The city was home to several military bases, including Williams Airfield and Falcon Field, which were used for training pilots and aircrews. Additionally, the city was home to several factories that produced aircraft parts, ordinance and other military equipment.

As the war came to an end in 1945, the city started to shift its focus from war production to post-war economic recovery. Many of the factories and military bases in Phoenix were closed or scaled back, leading to a decline in the city’s economy. However, the city’s population continued to grow as many of the military personnel and defense workers who were stationed in the area decided to stay and settle in Phoenix.

The city also began to shift its economy towards tourism and new industries, such as manufacturing and service sectors. The city’s mild winter climate and scenic desert landscapes made it a popular destination for tourists and retirees.

#1 Bridge Marked “New River”, 1945

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#2 Unidentified Building Exterior, 1945

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#3 Schneider Drugs Exterior, 1945

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#4 Salvation Army Band on Steps, 1945

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#5 Streetcar, 1945

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#6 George Goodfellow Home Exterior, 1945

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#7 Salvation Army Building Exterior, 1945

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#8 4900 Block of S. Central Avenue, 1945

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#9 4900 Block of S. Central Avenue, 1945

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#10 Menderson Bus Lines Buses with Three Men in Foreground, 1945

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#11 Residential Neighborhood, 1945

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#12 O. S. Stapley Co. Store Exterior, 1945

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#13 O. S. Stapley Co. Store Exterior, 1945

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#14 Ed Luke Motor Co. Building Exterior, 1945

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#15 Hanson Pump & Machine Works Interior, 1945

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#16 Hotchkins Café Exterior, 1945

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#17 Hotchkins Café Exterior, 1945

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#18 Advance Seed Co. Facility, 1945

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#19 Associated Dairy Products Building and Truck, 1945

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#20 Men Standing by Truck, 1945

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#21 Milner Hotel Exterior, 1945

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#22 Richfield Oil Co. Service Station, 1945

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#23 Truck Outside Western Chemical Co. Building, 1945

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#24 Pratt Feed & Supply Co. Store Interior, 1945

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#25 Palms Theatre Exterior, 1945

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#26 Farmers Produce Co. Building Exterior, 1945

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#27 Near Corner of Mission and Route 11, 1945

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#28 Motel, 1945

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#29 Westward Ho Kitchen, 1945

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#30 Richfield Oil Co. Service Station, 1945

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#31 Building Exterior and Car, 1945

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#32 Rialto Theatre Exterior, 1945

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#33 Building Under Construction, 1945

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#34 Lee Redman Co. Employees in Front of Building, 1945

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#35 Rialto Theatre Exterior at Night, 1945

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#36 200 Block of E. Washington St., 1945. View looking west down E. Washington St. at the 200 block. Visible are Handel’s Bohemian Rye Bakery (342 E. Washington) and the Capitol Hotel (242 E. Washington).

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#37 200 Block of E. Washington St., 1945. View looking toward the north side of E. Washington St. at the 200 block. Visible is L. Garcia & Son Furniture Co. (220 E. Washington).

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#38 Intersection of E. Pierce and N. Second Streets, 1945

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#39 North Phoenix High School, 1945

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#40 O. S. Stapley Co. Store Interior, 1945

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#41 A. D. McClain Realty Co. Interior View, 1945

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#42 Orpheum Theatre Exterior, 1945

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#43 Goodrich Silvertown Stores Building Exterior, 1945

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#44 B. F. Goodrich Co. Store Interior, 1945

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#45 Sportsman’s Park, 1945

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#46 Sportsman’s Park, 1945

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#47 Loading Dock Interior, 1945

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#48 Butane Corporation Facilities, 1945

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#49 Nels P. Agren Residence, 1945

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#50 Elquest Paint Co. Building Exterior, 1945

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#51 Intersection of Washington St. and Central Ave., 1945. View looking east. The Lerner Shops, including Baker’s Shoe Store, are visible. The date assigned to this photograph is approximate.

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#52 Orpheum Theatre Exterior, 1945

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#53 Central Ave., 1945. View looking north on Central Ave. from approximately the intersection of Washington and Central.

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#54 Knights of Pythias Building Exterior, 1945

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#55 Hanson Brokerage Building, 1945

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