A look at what life was like in Tucson in the early 1980s
Tucson was a bustling place in the early 1980s.
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El Parador
Los Armonicos mariachis play "Bear Down Arizona" at a football dinner at El Parador on Broadway in Tucson on Oct. 23, 1982.
The Roskruge Hotel
The Roskruge Hotel had been located at 57 S. Scott Ave since the early 1920’s, but by Feb. 3, 1982, it was being abandoned to make way for new development. The property was finally torn down in 1984.
Sunrise Road construction
Construction was under way on the new Sunrise Drive, at right, near Craycroft Road on May 4, 1982, but the road project was being contested by some of the nearby residents. They had concerns that the road, as planned, would create flood and traffic hazards. Following meetings with Pima County engineers, residents won some revisions to the plans.
Contest in Tucson
Lenor Gillett, left, helps Sherri Grugel adjust her orange at a Texas International Airlines contest on June 1, 1982.
Cinco de Mayo
It was a day for traditional Mexican costumes and dances on May 2, 1982, in Kennedy Park. Cinco de Mayo was midweek in 1982, so festival-goers were getting an early start to the annual celebration. The Mexican national holiday commemorates a military victory over the French on May 5, 1862. In addition to the dancing, the celebration featured craft shows, food and other entertainment.
8th Annual Rodder's Day Convention
It's not every day that one gets to see a 1948 English-made Ford Anglia. But on April 5, 1982, about 1,500 people attending the eighth annual Rodder's Day Convention in Rio Rico, north of Nogales, could view this classic car. There were about 150 street rods on display that day.
Esperanza Elementary School
Love of Reading Week is an annual literacy program that originated in the Tucson Unified School District in 1982. On Feb. 6, 1987, these students at Esperanza Elementary School, in the Sunnyside Unified School District participated in the event by reading at their school library.
Sen. Robert Byrd
Senator Robert Byrd meets the press before meeting the Desert Caucus on June 7, 1982.
Ringling Brothers clown tryouts
These clowns may be all smiles on the outside, but look at those eyes. On the inside, they are ready to bark, "Get the hook!" The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was in town, and on July 8, 1982, it held auditions for Clown College. Five brave souls showed up at the Tucson Community Center to try out for the privilege of wearing oversized shoes and cramming themselves into tiny cars. The would-be jesters were asked to transform themselves into lawn mowers, vacuum cleaners and hair dryers. They also had to imitate the professional clowns' skit, which involved a giant sandwich and some pepper. Apparently there is no such thing as a slow-paced circus clown - the entire process took less than an hour.
Larry Hagman in Tucson
On his way to Mexico to film a movie, actor Larry Hagman had a two-hour layover in Tucson on March 10, 1982. While waiting, Hagman, better known as J. R. Ewing of the popular TV show "Dallas," showed off his anti-smoking device to airport employees. A reformed smoker, Hagman carried a teddy bear-shaped plastic bottle. When he pressed its tummy a ring would pop up so he could blow bubbles. Hagman said it helped when he had the urge to smoke.
Children's violin concert
Debra Terry, center, and Esther Mallory, right play at the Shinichi Suzuki Children's Violin Concert on October 10, 1982.
Installation of Bishop Moreno
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson's first Hispanic bishop was installed on March 11, 1982, during a ceremony at the Tucson Community Center Arena. Nearly 9,000 church members and friends watched as The Most Rev. Manuel Duran Moreno became the fifth bishop of Tucson. As the grand procession began, Moreno passed through an honor guard of the Asociación de Charros de Tucson.
Williams Center construction
Williams Center construction shot on July 12, 1982. Today, the Williams Center is home to a number of businesses and restaurants, including Olive Garden, Monkey Burger, Pita Jungle and Denim & Diamonds.
El Con solar-powered car
Jason Lee, 4, and his brother Jared, 1 1/2, have energy to spare for a solar-powered car on display at the Energy Fair at El Con Shopping Center.
Fred Dotson and Dave Bloom
Fred N. Dotson Jr. shows Dave Bloom that he's too big for the Myers & Bloom Co. britches he got in 1927.
Juneteenth Festival
Children play and listen to the Vessels of Praise, gospel singers from Trinity Baptist Church, perform during the Juneteenth celebration at Vista del Pueblo Park in Tucson on June 18, 1982.
IBM exhibition
IBM computer exhibition at the community center exhibit hall on February 17, 1982.
63rd Baile de las Flores
Ann and Wes Fee were selected as the best-dressed couple at the 63rd annual Baile de las Flores on Feb. 19, 1982. The fundraiser, sponsored by the St. Luke's Board of Visitors, was held at the Doubletree Hotel. More than 500 guests attended, and the event raised more than $7,500 for St. Luke's Home, a residence for low-income elderly women. Since 2000, the nonprofit facility has also housed men.
Arizona Police Olympics
Tucson police Officer Cathy Gaskins is shown testing her strength on March 19, 1982. She was competing in the Fourth Annual Arizona Police Olympics that were held at several locations in Tucson. Gaskins won the gold medal in women’s arm wrestling. That qualified her for the international competition, which was her goal.
Cheerleaders at the VA
The Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders' brand of cheer was just what the doctor ordered for these patients at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Theresa Miller sings to Scotty Stinger, Romeo Radonich, and Abe Jacob in this photo, taken May 19, 1982.
Tootsie lookalikes
Contestants pose in the "Tootsie Lookalike Contest" at Cowboys, 6321 E. 22nd Street, Jan. 20, 1983.
Marana Air Park
Marana Air Park was preparing to become the home of the Western Army Aviation Training Site. On April 21, 1982, reporters and local politicians took an air tour of the area. National Guardsmen, shown here, check over one of the Army attack helicopters used for the tour. The Arizona National Guard was to operate the new center, which would serve as an advanced training center for combat helicopter pilots in the western half of the nation. Construction was scheduled to begin later that year on the $12 million project, which included an Army aviation-training building, a flight-simulator building and an armory. The site was expected to bring in $8 million annually to the local economy and have about 100 full-time employees.
Tucson Newspapers transformer explosion
Firefighters, paramedics converge on Tucson Newspapers parking lot where seven people were injured in a transformer explosion. The photo was taken on July 22, 1982.
Tucson Mall prepares for launch
Opening day was less than a month away, but from the looks of things, there was still a lot to do at the Tucson Mall on Feb. 23, 1982. The 102-store mall at North Oracle and West Wetmore roads would be the city's largest when it officially opened on March 22, 1982. With a total of 1.4 million square feet and at a cost of $77 million, the mall took 18 months to complete.
Reid Park Zoo
The debut of Reid Park Zoo's new baby African elephant. She is pictured here with one of the keepers, Gale London on April 23, 1982.
'Last Supper' move
Max Barnett, one of the owners of Barnett and Deyoe construction company checks the clearance while a crane from his companylowers the "Last Supper" after moving it. The moving of the statue was part of the flood control project on March 24, 1982.
Breakers Water Park
Albert Avenetti works with reinforcing bars for surfing pond at Breakers Water Park under construction on May 25, 1982.
C-130 transfer
A C-130 airplane being moved down the interstate enroute to Boston. June 25, 1982.
20th Century Rail Tours
20th Century Rail Tours, a national touring company giving passengers nostalgic for rail travel the opportunity to revisit the past, passes through Tucson on its way to New York on May 25, 1982.
20th Century Rail Tours
Columnist William F. Buckley and wife Patricia wait to reboard the 20th Century Rail Tours train in Tucson on May 26, 1982.
'Father Murphy' filming at Old Tucson
"Father Murphy" filming at Old Tucson on February 2, 1982.
Concrete canoe
On April 28, 1982, a crew of University of Arizona engineering students put their boat-making skills to the test at Kennedy Park Lake. It was time for a trial float for their 280-pound concrete canoe. The canoe was built of wire mesh and concrete, with foam at both ends to help the craft float. The students planned to attend a competition in Las Vegas with their canoe. The little vessel apparently passed its seaworthiness test. Although it may not look like it here, Mike Hansen, left, and J.D. Bamfield reportedly capsized the canoe on purpose to test its flotation.
Greyhound Park
Workers at Tucson Greyhound Park hurry to finish the clubhouse painting work and seat installations on the park's new $700,000 starting box before the opening race that night.
Rillito River Regatta
Rillito River Regatta held on May 30, 1982
Joe Garagiola
Sportscaster and former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Joe Garagiola winces as a ringtail cat from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is perched on his head during the pro-am portion of the 1982 Joe Garagiola Tucson Open golf tournament on Jan. 7, 1982.
Tucson McDonald's
What is that contraption at the counter? It's called a cash register in this Sept. 1982 photo inside the McDonald's Restaurant at Speedway and Campbell.
'Revenge of the Nerds' extra casting
University of Arizona students wait to audition to be an extra, walk-on or have a speaking role in the 20th Century Fox film, "Revenge of the Nerds" on January 12, 1983. The movie was filmed on some parts of the campus and in fraternity houses.
UA pool relaxing
University of Arizona students take time out from their classes to relax at the pool located on the north side of the Student Union on March 9, 1982.
Giant Sandworms
Howe Gelb, left and Scott Garber of Giant Sandworms in Tucson in 1983.
Giant Sandworms
Howe Gelb and The Giant Sandworms at Nino's Steakhouse in Tucson on Dec. 2, 1983.
Sheraton El Conquistador Hotel
The Sheraton El Conquistador Hotel in Oro Valley under construction in December, 1982.
ASU vs UA
An image taken at the ASU vs UA game in 1982.
El Tour de Tucson
A shot of the first El Tour De Tucson in 1983.
Debra Reingold / Arizona Daily Star
Wet weather
Three passersby help push a car stalled in the rushing water at the intersection of Alvernon and Grant Road. on August 2, 1982. Police later closed the intersection, after thirty cars had stalled in the water.
Hidden Valley Inn
Interior shot of the Hidden Valley Inn. Tucson Citizen file photo, April 5, 1982.
Southern Pacific control room
Southern Pacific control room in May of 1983.
Old Tucson parking lot
Out-of-towners come to Old Tucson in February, 1982.
Bombardier
Employees at Gates Learjet assemble aircraft wings at the Tucson plant on March 15, 1982.
Msgr. Arsenio Carrillo calls bingo
Msgr. Arsenio Carrillo calling bingo at St. Augustine Cathedral in Tucson in 1983.
Chances nightclub
Chances nightclub, at 6542 E Tanque Verde Rd., started as a disco and restaurant and was a popular spot for many on January 7, 1982. That is until 1985, when it was condemned after an arson fire.
VA Hospital
he old hospital as seen through the new construction in 1983.
Cooling down in Old Pueblo
One girl flips in the air with the help of her friends as they play at Himmel Park Pool during opening day on June 8, 1982.
Harpo's Restaurant
Harpo's Restaurant on December 21, 1982.
First day of school around Tucson
Meg Burda laughs as third-grade teacher Bonny Freeman reads "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" on the first day at Duffy Elementary School in Tucson on Sept. 7, 1982.
University of Arizona Homecoming
UA 1931 football head coach Fred Enke Sr., left, talks over good times with players Milton Morse, center, and Peter Kusian during a 1982 UA alumni Homecoming Reunion at the Plaza International Hotel in Tucson.
University of Arizona Homecoming
Students and alumni cheer as they march beside the UA Homecoming bonfire on the UA Mall on Nov. 3, 1983.
University of Arizona Homecoming
UA football head coach Larry Smith leads his team, including All-American linebacker Ricky Hunley (right), during a cheer at the 1983 UA Homecoming bonfire rally on the UA Mall.
Tucson 5 Drive-In
The Tucson 5 Drive-In at 1055 W. Grant Road in 1982. It was opened in 1974, then demolished in the late 80s and replaced by Century Park 16 indoor theaters. They closed in 2011.
Lochiel, Ariz., border crossing
U.S. Customs Service agent Mike Danielson appraches a vehicle at crossing into the U.S. at the U.S. Custom House at the U.S. / Mexico border crossing gate in Lochiel, Ariz., in September, 1983.
Hayden smelter
A 1982 aerial photograph of the Hayden smelter.
H. Porter's of Tucson
After nearly 50 years in business, H. Porter's of Tucson is hanging up its hat and spurs and closing its doors, as seen Jan. 19, 1983.
South Tucson City Hall
South Tucson firefighter Andy Carroll raises the American flag at the South Tucson City Hall in 1983.
Walter 'Hoegie' Simmons
Former Tucson High School basketball player Walter “Hoegie" Simmons in November, 1982 in Tucson.
Old Southern Pacific Railroad Warehouse
The old Southern Pacific Railroad Warehouse on North Stone Avenue and West Franklin Street had seen better days by September 10, 1982. After a July storm blew its roof off the writing was on the wall. Its time had come and soon, it would be gone.
Miner strike
Arizona Department of Public Safety officers assemble during a strike against Phelps Dodge Corp. in Morenci, Ariz. on Aug. 19-20, 1983.
Tanque Verde Swap Meet
Tanque Verde Swap Meet at Grant and Tanque Verde roads in April, 1982.
Tack Room boot
As North Sabino Canyon Road got wider the Tack Room Boot was... given the boot, or at least moved a couple of feet to the east, on March 8, 1983. The concrete and steel boot was said to weigh up to 40 tons.
La Mariposa restaurant
La Mariposa Restaurant at 1500 N. Jones, Tucson, in January, 1983.
TRS-89 computer
A marketing rep. for Radio Shack Computer Center, 5622 E. Broadway, Tucson, at the helm of a TRS-80 computer in September, 1982.
Tucson flooding
This is a July 2, 1982 photo of flooding along a Tucson street. Might be North Alvernon Way near Glenn Street.
Floods of October, 1983
A Tucson subdivision at Prince and I-10 was caked in mud by Santa Cruz River in October 1983.
Flooding in October, 1983
Three men float in inner tubes along the Rillito River on Oct. 4, 1983. Photo by Joy Wolf / Arizona Daily Star
Flooding in October, 1983
Water surges in the Santa Cruz River at the St. Mary's Road bridge on Oct. 2, 1983.
Flooding in October, 1983
Two dogs lounged outside the Alpine Lodge in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon after the main street was washed out due to flooding on Oct. 4, 1983.
Ted Nugent
"Motor City Madman" Ted Nugent rocks the Tucson Community Center on July 24, 1982.
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