Comments on: Retro-Meditation: What Do You Remember as a Child in Tucson?

By: William

William — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:23:10 +0000

Yes, Tucson was the town to be in in the 1960s before the big bankers demolished it. I went away for many years and when I came back in the 1990s I was shocked to see the destruction. As human nature would have it, I went to the old defender drug store and walked around Wilmot plaza again. In my mind I still walked around barefoot on the hot concrete running in pain until I could go have a coke and read a comic at the old soda fountain there (this is sounding very twilight zone so sorry) and then a walk up to see the old B., Vista Theatre (I put an offer in on it in 2006 but was refused due to it being condemned) and stood there remembering seeing “Cool Hand Luke” after it opened. In fact I was at the first film shown there, it was John Wayne with some scense shot at Old Tucson. Old Tucson before it became New Tucson. As I gazed out over the parking lots looking west from the Buena Vista I could still see the virgin desert where they built “The Broadway” and remember when there was only an old beautiful Spanish style stucco villa there. It is all I wanted to see. I am so glad there is a beginning and an end to everything in this life.

By: stj

stj — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:01:52 +0000

what great stories. I was born in Tucson in 1966 and lived there until 1984. Early memories of Wetmore pool. I think it was close to where the Tucson mall is now. I also remember the brick factory off of 1st ave next to the Rillito river. I also remember a few of the floods we had that washed out part of the bridge at 1st ave.

How about Hank Lowmanak (sp?) on chanel 11 commercials with Jim Click. I still remember Click saying every comerical ‘That’s exactally right Hank’.

By: azmouse

azmouse — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 06:35:43 +0000

Thanks for responding!

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Wow, what a price! I tried to dig up some info on a horse ranch out on T.V. Loop and Spud Rock Place, but being that it was outside of the city it was a little out of my realm. I did find some info on the man who originally had the property, a cattleman who owned a butchers shop (makes sense I suppose), and the man who owned the land before that. The owners had been told it was owned by the Hollywood producer Louis B Meyer, but it was Larry Meyer, who was a realtor guy here way back when. Kind of ruins the story, though maybe he was a distant relative! On the Mr. Quick story, I found a great website and the guy and I have been emailing all day about the details I found. Still nothing on Hugenotts, but I’ll keep looking! Thanks for checking in!

By: azmouse

azmouse — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:10:37 +0000

Good luck Catherine with your search. I was born in Tucson (1964) and moved to the far northeast side when I was just out of first grade. My Dad thought it would be a good investment, although I remember my Mom crying, because he moved us to the middle of nowhere. (Tanque Verde and Tanque Verde Loop)
They bought that house for $32,000.00 around 1970 or so. A very quaint Ranch style on four acres.
You can only imagine what it’s worth today, even in this economy.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 05:00:02 +0000

Does anyone have any memories of the Mr. Quick on S. 6th, where Southgate Shopping Center is? The building is still there, along with part of the old sign. Also, there was a Hugenotts Restaurant serving “chicken in the rough” sort of an early KFC on that same corner (think it’s a convenience store now). It was at the entrance to the old drive in theatre. It was in the late 40′s and on, not sure when it came down. I’m an architectural historian and digging up some hstory on these places. Thanks!

By: Tyler Woods

Tyler Woods — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 02:18:46 +0000

I remember the Wetmore Pool. It is so wonderful recalling these times places and events of our past.

By: Gene

Gene — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 23:13:33 +0000

I sure do love reading all the comments about Tucson in the 50s and on. The best history comes from the memories of the people who were here and remember. This is important for so many reasons…

By: Roger Shelton class 63

Roger Shelton class 63 — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:37:11 +0000

Arrived by Mayflower moving, 1948. 4yrs old. Waking up feeling hot but wondering what was that incessent buzz. you’d clap your hands and it would instantly stop,…then gradually start again. Playing on our porch with the water hose a blast. Walking to school, through the back side of old Amphi shopping ctr. Through Euclid then crossing 1st ave. to Sacred Heart. On the S/E corner of 1st and Ft. Lowell was Springs Hardware, Rays Barber shop, Jerolds Drug. All Amphi S.C. before moving to the N. side of Ft. Lowell. My dog would follow me and jump through the casement windows while the nuns looked mad and he would end up on my lap. Patchy followed me everywhere even ran after the bus when we would go downtown on Saturday mornings to see the serials at the FOX. Wagons, cardboard forts. I was raised in that two bedroom house my mom bought for $6000. Between Euclid Tyndell, Adalade and Blackledge. That house stayed in the family for 57 years! Remember mom traveling everywhere on the bus to go to work as an RN in the hospitals. Persons market, Camps Auto, Jerolds Drug and Rays Barber shop. Johny’s , Mr. Quick hambergers for 15 cents and roller skating at Hellen Keeling School. Don’t forget Wetmore Pool and the big top and slide. Loved growing up here!

By: azmouse

azmouse — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:04:51 +0000

I loved going on “The Uncle Bob Show”!! Those were great days here in Tucson.