Arizona started to see a busier life when the 1950s rolled around. After World War II ended and people returned to their usual lives, tourism became even more prevalent, people began moving into the state at higher rates and air conditioning became a more affordable commodity. At the same time, however, Arizona’s old rural lifestyles still thrived since industries such as ranching and farming were still major contributors to the state’s economy.

Let’s take a quick look at this time period. Hey, some of you may even remember some of it!

  1. First off, welcome to Arizona!

Allen/Flickr I like this old sign. It has character and attempts to show that Arizona is more diverse than the current signs that border our state.

  1. Hmm, where might this place be?

Roadsidepictures/Flickr It looks like it may be out in the sticks but that is actually 51st Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix.

  1. This is what Washington Street in downtown looked like around the same time.

James Tworow/Flickr

  1. Here is another look at downtown Phoenix, this time near Central Avenue and McDowell.

Alan English CPA/Flickr This picture shows a parade going on, with students from the Phoenix Indian School participating in 1952.

  1. If you’re from Mesa, you’ll probably recognize this photo taken along Main Street.

Ethan/Flickr

  1. OK, enough cityscapes, let’s take a look at the people! Here’s one that shows a company Christmas party in Phoenix.

Freeparking/Flickr

  1. Firefighting has really progressed in the last few decades. This photo shows a forest firefighter taking some time to rest after a long, summer night in the Coronado National Forest in 1956.

Forest History Society/Flickr

  1. This cute kid is participating in a dance at the Grand Canyon around 1950.

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

  1. If you were hoping that women during the ’50s all looked fancy like in the first season of Mad Men, you’ll probably be a little disappointed to see they actually dressed a little more casual in these parts.

Freeparking/Flickr

  1. Here are some ASU students participating in the annual whitewashing of the “A” on “A” Mountain.

Wikimedia Commons How many of you former Sun Devils participated in this tradition?

  1. This out of focus photo shows a group of Tohono O’odham men constructing an adobe building.

Wikimedia Commons

  1. Were old prospectors and their way of life still around in the 1950s?

Verde Canyon Railroad/Flickr I’m not sure but this postcard and the photographer who uploaded it seem to suggest so. What do you think?

  1. These girls were in the middle of a home economics class at the brand new Grand Canyon High School in 1959.

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr How many of you injured yourself in a similar class? I remember at least one kid in that class who sewed their finger in the sewing machine.

  1. Meanwhile, these boys are participating in a wood shop class at the same high school.

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr I’m fortunate to have lived in a time when these classes were less gender segregated. I took shop in junior high and even today I am still quite handy with tools.

  1. And, finally, let’s wrap this up with a photo of a pair of famous visitors at the Grand Canyon in 1959.

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr This is the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who traveled the States and Europe pretty frequently during this time.

If you remember living in Arizona in the 1950s, we would love to hear any of your favorite memories of the time! Feel free to share here or on our Facebook page.

Allen/Flickr

I like this old sign. It has character and attempts to show that Arizona is more diverse than the current signs that border our state.

Roadsidepictures/Flickr

It looks like it may be out in the sticks but that is actually 51st Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix.

James Tworow/Flickr

Alan English CPA/Flickr

This picture shows a parade going on, with students from the Phoenix Indian School participating in 1952.

Ethan/Flickr

Freeparking/Flickr

Forest History Society/Flickr

Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr

Wikimedia Commons

How many of you former Sun Devils participated in this tradition?

Verde Canyon Railroad/Flickr

I’m not sure but this postcard and the photographer who uploaded it seem to suggest so. What do you think?

How many of you injured yourself in a similar class? I remember at least one kid in that class who sewed their finger in the sewing machine.

I’m fortunate to have lived in a time when these classes were less gender segregated. I took shop in junior high and even today I am still quite handy with tools.

This is the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, who traveled the States and Europe pretty frequently during this time.

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