A look at what life was like in Tucson in the early 1970s
See what you can remember about the early 1970s.
Rain in Sabino Canyon
Heavy rains produced a sizeable through Sabino Canyon on Dec. 29, 1972. Forty-four people were evacuated from the canyon area and search teams rescued a 15-year-old from floodwaters.
Arizona Stadium
Arizona Stadium is on the left looking north along North Cherry Avenue at East Sixth Street on February 9, 1972. At the time the UA was proposing an addition to its football stadium adding another 10,600 seats to the east side of the structure that would involve permanently closing Cherry Avenue. It was also considering a 3,600-unit parking lot, all of which could cost around $11 million.
Snow, 1971
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.
Saguarontosaurus
A Saguaro cactus on Soldiers Trail Road that looks like an elephant in 1973. The Tucson Citizen called it a "Saguarontosaurus." "This spiny antecedent of the ponderous pachyderm stalks the desert east of town," the newspaper wrote.
Daily Star newsrooom
Arizona Daily Star newsroom in 1973.
Davis-Monthan Aerospace Days
Thousands of spectators use any means to watch some of the activities at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during the annual Aerospace and Arizona Days at the base on March 17, 1972. The visitors were able to check out transports, and many aircraft on display and watch as the famous Thunderbirds flew across the skies.
Arizona Bank on Oracle
Signs of new growth in the northwest section of Tucson included the Arizona Bank, at 7130 N Oracle Rd near Ina Road, as it was on November 16, 1972.
'Gunsmoke' filming
The little boy is Clay O Brien. April 23 1973. Filming of the TV series "Gunsmoke" in lower Sabino Canyon.
'Lost Horizon' filming
Lost Horizon movie. Filmed at Ryan Field, west of Tucson. May 1 1972. Tucson Citizen file photo.
Steinfeld's display
Top window display in the 1973 Fiesta de los Vaqueros competition in Steinfeld's downtown, with this scene of headless saloon patrons.
Motel Mesa
Bypassed after Interstate 10 was opened in 1969, Motel Mesa at 1951 Benson Highway, was just another business along the road that struggled to survive on August 14, 1972. The four-mile stretch was once a vital thoroughfare before the interstate system was created. Photo by Manuel Miera / Tucson Citizen
Ruthie's Drive-Inn
Based on the sign for the Country Club Swimming Pool in the background, Ruthie's Drive-Inn restaurant was in the vicinity of 2627 Benson Highway on August 14, 1972. Bypassed after Interstate 10 was opened in 1969, businesses on the Benson Highway struggled to survive. The four-mile stretch was once a vital thoroughfare before the interstate system was created. Photo by Manuel Miera / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Ring Meteorite
Before its reappearance in Tucson for the show in 1972, the Tucson Ring Meteorite had been on display at the Smithsonian since the 19th century. Discovered in a locality possibly near the Santa Rita Mountains, it was brought to Tucson and used as an anvil in the 1850s prior to its identification and transport to the Smithsonian.
O'Reilly Chevrolet
The O'Reilly Chevrolet used xar lot, on 3313 E Speedway Blvd., had plenty of lights to display their vehicles on July 31, 1972. El Rancho Market grocery store and the Thom McAn shoe store is visible are the background.
Freeway airport
A solitary plane lifts off from the Freeway Airport on November 27, 1973. The airport was near West Prince and North Romero Roads. Originally built in 1941, it was to house the headquarters of the G. and G. Airlines Company. It was founded by Charles Gilpin and Isabella Greenway. The airfield was called Gilpin Air Field and at one time was used to train pilots during WWII. Arthur Pack bought 100 acres of the airport land in 1958, changed the name to Freeway Airport and planned to build new facilities and move the landing strip. It closed for good in 1978. Jose Galvez / Arizona Daily Star
Tucson Gem Show
Tucson Gem Show on Oct. 12, 1973, at the old Pima County Fairgrounds, also known as the Tucson Rodeo grounds at 6th Ave. and Irvington Road.
University of Arizona Homecoming
UA Homecoming Queen finalists paint a mural at El Con Mall on Oct. 28, 1973, in advance of the big game. From left, Nancy Miller, Denise Bina, Lisa PIckett, Rachel Gjerding, and Sherri Giuendelsberger.
Horseshoeing class
Philip Mackenzie-Low, 12, left, and Troy Person, 9, work on trimming the frog on a horse hoof during Zip Peterson’s horseshoeing class at 381 S Pinto Pl., on Nov 30, 1972. Peterson’s horse shoeing school is an eight-week course with two three-hour sessions per week. It first evolved from an invitation to teach a short course at the University of Arizona which lasted for several years. Now he teaches those who want work on their own horses or at least want have a better idea of the kind of job a farrier is doing on their horse. Ross Humphreys / Tucson Citizen
Tucson Rodeo Parade
Young rodeo fans line the parade route in 1972.
La Placita Village
Construction of La Placita Village; middle foreground; which is a $6.3 million; 2.6 acre complex with Mexican-style stores, cafes and offices along the newly realigned West Broadway Boulevard in downtown Tucson on Feb. 26, 1973. It is adjacent to the Tucson Convention Center; background and the convention downtown hotel; lower right; then called Braniff Place which eventually became the Hotel Arizona.
Naked man in restaurant
After breaking the plate glass window, the Glen Farrell prepares to jump in at about 3am at Sambo's Restaurant, 902 E. Broadway Road, Tucson, on Feb. 20, 1973.
Miller Barber
Miller Barber accepts the Conquistador helmet for winning the 1972 Tucson Open.
Alice Cooper crowd
Alice Cooper fans enjoy the shows theatrics at the Tucson Community Center on February 16, 1972.
La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo
The 1972 La Fiesta de los Vaqueros rodeo.
Oracle and Limberlost
Signs and strip malls on North Oracle Road looking south toward West Limberlost Drive on May 17, 1973.
Oracle and River
Signs, street scenes and strip malls on North Oracle Road looking south from River Road toward the Rillito River on May 17, 1972. Jose Galvez / Arizona Daily Star
Oracle and Roger
Signs, street scenes and strip malls on North Oracle Road looking north toward West Roger Road on May 17, 1973.
Oracle Road Cafe
Signs, street scenes and strip malls on North Oracle Road looking north while in front of the Oracle Road Cafe at 3855 N Oracle Rd on May 17, 1973.
Oro Valley
Signs of new growth in the northwest section of the Oro Valley Townhouses, at Valle del Oro and Greenock, as it was on November 16, 1972. Bruce Hopkins / Tucson Citizen
Pima County Fair
A woman and her children have a laugh during a game of chance at the Pima County Fair in March, 1972.
Mr. Rogers on KUAT
Security! A young boy climbs over the plastic fencing to get a closer view of Mr. Rogers during a visit to KUAT-TV studios in Tucson in May, 1973.
Munitions explosion on Tucson-bound train
Scene of a munitions explosion on a Southern Pacific RR train near Benson on May 24-25, 1973, as an Explosive Ordinance Detail from Ft. Huachuca enters the scene.
Titan II Missile Complex
Launch Control Center at Titan II Complex 09 outside Tucson on August 15, 1971.
East Speedway
Night traffic along East Speedway east of North Country Club looking east on July 31, 1972.
The Dome restaurant
Patrons spend some time at The Dome, an outdoor restaurant tucked away near the intersection of North Fourth Avenue and East Sixth Street in July 1972. The establishment offered an outdoor venue with a geodesic dome supporting a parachute which provided some shade.
Fox Buena Vista Theater
The Fox Buena Vista Theater at 251 S. Wilmot Road after expansion and remodeling in March, 1972.
Elton John
Elton John preforms to his fans at the Tucson Community Center Arena on October 26, 1972.
Jefferson Airplane
Grace Slick (left) and David Freiberg (right) of the Jefferson Airplane got the Tucson Community Center crowd on its feet with the band's brand of high-energy rock.
Cactus Little League
Cactus Little League Team arrives at Tucson International Airport from LL Championships. August 28, 1973.
Cactus Little League
Cactus Little League Team arrives at Tucson International Airport from LL Championships. August 28, 1973.
Winterhaven Festival of Lights
Winterhaven Festival of Lights in Tucson in December, 1972.
Led Zeppelin in Tucson
Fans watch the rock band Led Zeppelin perform at the Tucson Community Center on June 28, 1972.
"Joe Kidd" Clint Eastwood
Actor Clint Eastwood, left, talks with director John Sturges during filming of the movie, "Joe Kidd," at Old Tucson Studios on December 2, 1971.