A look at what life was like in Tucson in the early 1970s
A sampling of what life in Tucson was like in the early 1970s.
The Star has a Tucson history email newsletter! tucson.com/timemachine
Looking North on Fourth Avenue
Looking north on Fourth Avenue toward the Balcony Saloon, an 'in' place for beer, wine, sandwiches and huge hot dogs, one sees an unbroken string of establishments catering to young members of the 'counter culture.' This is the corner of 4th Ave & 5th St. looking north in 1971.
Pioneer Hotel Fire
Firefighters apply a steady stream of water during the Pioneer International Hotel fire , that resulted in 29 deaths.
Crescent Smoke House
Thornton F. Huff, otherwise known as Huffy, stands in the Crescent Smoke House in dowtown Tucson on Saturday, May 27, 1970. After 34 years of selling magazines, cigarettes and other items Huffy was retiring at age 64.
El Rio Golf Course protest
Marchers organized by the El Rio Coalition Front swarmed onto El Rio Golf Course on Aug. 15, 1970, to demand the city turn the course into a community park.
UA Student Union remodel
The Student Union at the University of Arizona had just been renovated by June 23, 1971. The addition of 130,000 square feet in the new sections of the building more than doubled the previous space. The cost for the renovation was $3.5 million.
Tucson Convention Center
Aerial shot of the Tucson Convention Center under construction, taken November, 1970.
Aerospace and Arizona Days
Some of the estimated 122,000 visitors find some shade as they walk around a transport plane at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during the annual Aerospace and Arizona Days at the base on March 15, 1970. The visitors were able to check out the B-52 bombers and watch as the famous Thunderbirds flew across the skies.
Celebrity sightings
New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath, left, and actress Ann-Margaret arrived at Tucson International Airport on April, 10, 1970, and were greeted by a "posse" who branded them as horse thieves. The two were in Tucson for filming of the movie, "C.C. Ryder and Company," written by Ann-Margaret's husband, Roger Smith (a University of Arizona graduate). Photo by Manuel Miera, Tucson Citizen 1970
Pioneer National Title Insurance Building
The Pioneer National Title Insurance Building, on 45 W Pennington at North Church Ave, was renamed from the Tucson Title Company on Mar 1, 1971.
The Pirate's Den
Still under construction on July 9, 1971, the new Pirate’s Den, at 6475 E Golf Links Rd., is starting to take shape. At one time the popular nightclub became a venue for entertainers such as Chubby Checkers, Fabian and the Platters.
John Wayne and the Tucson Toros
Oscar winner John Wayne looks right in character for a role as a baseball manager in this scene from last night's Pacific Coast League game between the Tucson Toros and Portland Beavers at Hi Corbett Field. Wayne and banjo strummer Eddie Peabody were special guest in the Toro dugout as 3,372 fans turned out for Shrine Night. The Toros treated The Dukes to a free-swinging come-from-behind victory 11-8.
"C.C. & Company" filming
C.C. and Company was filmed at Golder Ranch, April 29, 1970. Here we see some motorcycle racing with local extras as spectators.
The Bridal Boutique
The Bridal Boutique, a wedding service, was located in the building at right while a barber shop and a beauty salon occupied the spaces left of that at the Broadway 7000 shopping and service center at East Broadway Boulevard and North Kolb Road on July 8, 1970.
Rodeo Parade Pictures 1971
Tucson Rodeo parade downtown in 1971
Bridge over Santa Cruz River
The old bridge on West Congress over the Santa Cruz River had to go and be replaced by a new bridge.
Copper State Chemical fire
An injured person taken to an ambulance (70 were sent to hospitals) during a fire at the Copper State Chemical Co, 748 E. 16th St., Tucson, on July 2, 1970.
University of Arizona Homecoming
The 1971 UA Homecoming Parade featured the first float entry from the College of Nursing. Coincidentally, the Homecoming theme was, "We've Only Just Begun," a homage to the hit song released a year earlier by The Carpenters.
Hobo Joe's
Hobo Joe's coffee shop at 2701 E Broadway Blvd., opened to the public on February 24, 1970. It was operated by Broadway Restaurants Inc.
Ice House fire in 1970
The heavy roof collapsing likely caused the balls of flame during a fire at former Pacific Fruit Express warehouse (known as the Ice House) at 802 E. 12th St. on April 7, 1970.
Ice House fire in 1970
Tucson Fire commanders at former Pacific Fruit Express warehouse (known as the Ice House) at 802 E. 12th St. on April 7, 1970.
JC Penney
Work continues on the JC Penney's department store at El Con Mall on East Broadway Boulevard on March 18, 1971. Bill Hopkins / Tucson Citizen
Tucson shopping in years past
A sign offering cashews for only 50-cents and something about a $100 bill as shoppers hunt for deals at Tucson's first K-Mart at Broadway and Kolb in June, 1970.
Tucson shopping in years past
Shoppers line up at Tucson's first K-Mart at Broadway and Kolb in June, 1970.
Oro Valley Country Club
This is a January 1970 photo of the 11th hole at the Oro Valley Country Club Golf Course.
Snowball fight
Residents of an apartment complex at 210 N. Maguire in Tucson get into a snowball fight with two residents in the pool after heavy snow on Dec. 8, 1971.
Valley National Bank
The intersection of South Sixth Avenue and East 29th Street on January 13, 1971.
Summerhaven sawmill
The sawmill in Summerhaven, Ariz., on Aug. 8, 1970.
Tucson Federal Savings thermometer
The digital thermometer at Tucson Federal Savings read 115-degrees on June 25, 1970.
Garcia's Cleaners at 205 E. 22nd Street
Garcia's Cleaners at 205 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, in November, 1970.
Tucson International Airport
Tucson International Airport control tower in 1971.
Titan II Complex 09- Launch Control Center
Titan II Complex 09- Launch Control Center. August 15, 1971.
New Clown's Den
Henan Thomas serves up beer in the New Clown's Den at Main and St. Mary's. Photo by
Anderson Chevron gas station
Anderson Chevron gas station at 745 N. Park Ave. was located near the University of Arizona main gate at Third Street on June 25, 1971.
Tucson Convention Center
Construction of the Tucson Convention Center arena, background, is in progress as a pedestrian waits for traffic to clear as he crosses South Main Avenue near West Simpson Street on December 4, 1970.
Valley National Bank at Broadway and Country Club
Construction workers build the Valley National Bank on the northwest corner of East Broadway Boulevard and North Country Club, on March 18, 1971.
West Congress Street
Traffic along West Congress Street near the Santa Cruz River moves along on July 24, 1970. City authorities had decided to replace the bridge starting in the fall.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Entrance to the Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson in December, 1971.
Read what Southern Arizona's Congressional delegation thinks about Trump's plan to end DACA.
Showers and thunderstorms are possible today in areas west of Tucson.
Heroin and oxycodone were the most commonly noted drugs in overdose reports.
One out of 15? That can't be right.
One of the drivers ran from the car.
Fashion designer Tom Ford showed his wares at New York Fashion Week.
Readers share their opinions on a variety of topics.
Naz Reid is not visiting Arizona this weekend, and LSU is the expected choice.
The oft-injured senior tailback shows up on the UA injury report for Week 2.
Motorists were advised to expect traffic delays.
A man suspected in serial robberies was arrested Thursday after a robbery of a northwest side fast-food restaurant.
Also: A new report criticizes dark-money group's tax filing after involvement in Tucson elections.
A new commercial port may be part of the modernization project.
Judges said someone being sued for defamation "need not prove the literal truth of every detail."
Several interesting match ups Friday.
We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Sept. 8 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.…
Community groups are looking for a few new voices to fill out rosters for the fall.
A 69-year-old Sierra Vista woman shot a man she says was trying to break into her house Thursday night, just hours after a burglary there, the…
Health scares have so far failed to derail the Cleveland Indians manager and onetime Arizona Wildcats star.
Daughter of former UA basketball player Joe Turner has potential to be one of program's best, Rubio says.
We’ve all had it happen: You hear about a book and go to your local library to find it, but dozens of people are ahead of you on the wait list…
Attorney General Mark Brnovich contends state Regents are acting illegally by basing tuition not on what it actually costs to educate students but on improper factors.
SAN FRANCISCO — The University of California sued the Trump administration Friday over its decision to end a program protecting young immigran…
There are nine former Wildcats left on NFL rosters.
Defeating the Cougars would open the door to a 3-0 start, which would make a bowl berth much more attainable.
Group calls for meaningful legislation allowing "Dreamers" to stay, contribute to economy.
"There's a really good chance of finding something unique."
A neighbor woken by heat coming through her bedroom window early Saturday notified Tucson firefighters of a house fire, officials say.
One man was killed in a one-car crash early Saturday on Interstate 10 northwest of Tucson that was followed by two unrelated wrecks nearby tha…
Banner has more than 250 Tucson openings from entry-level to leadership positions.
Fire remains under investigation.
The crime occurred Sunday, Sept. 10, authorities said.
Princeton University was ranked No. 1 overall, followed by Harvard University. Yale University and the University of Chicago were tied for third place.
The normal for this time of year is 96 degrees.
The prisoner was found unresponsive Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.
The crash resulted in life-threatening injuries.
The marijuana was valued at nearly $150,000.
Investigators are asking the public for help in ID'ing the culprits.
On the restaurant's website patrons are told to, "relax and enjoy yourself" and "feel the love"
Nearly 40-percent of Old Tucson Studios, including many of the most-famous wood structures seen in Westerns, was destroyed by fire on April 24, 1995.
Do you love local history? Geek out over old photos of downtown Tucson?
Tucson radio station set out to serve listeners 45 and older and appears to have struck radio gold, with solid ratings. It also has nearly broken even after one year, owners said.