Phoenix THEN and NOW – Old Arizona Photos Past and Present

This video takes a clear look at how Phoenix, Arizona has changed over time by comparing old photos to the same places today. In the early 1900s, streets like Washington and 1st were dusty and filled with horse carts and small brick shops. Today, those same areas are paved and lined with tall buildings. Many older landmarks, like the Gold Hotel and Adams Hotel, are gone and replaced by modern spaces like the Phoenix Convention Center and newer hotels. Downtown streets that once had small shops and theaters, especially along Central Avenue, have been rebuilt with office towers and larger buildings. Several popular places from the past have also disappeared. The Rialto Theater, once busy with moviegoers, was torn down and replaced by a mall. Old hotels, motels, and small businesses across the city have been replaced by parking garages, office buildings, or empty lots. Even car dealerships and gas stations from the mid-1900s have made way for new commercial spaces. These changes show how fast the city has grown and modernized. At the same time, a few historic buildings have survived. The Arizona State Capitol still stands, along with the Hotel San Carlos and the Westward Ho building, though some now serve new purposes. The Phoenix Art Museum remains in its original location but has been updated over time. Some older spots, like the Circle K Motor Hotel, still exist but show their age. The video also highlights nearby areas like Tempe, Mesa, and Scottsdale. Many of these places have followed a similar path, with older storefronts and landmarks replaced or updated. Overall, the video shows how Phoenix has transformed from a small desert town into a large, modern city while still holding on to a few pieces of its past. 00:00 Intro 00:09 Washington and First 00:29 The Gold Hotel 00:48 Washington and Second 01:08 Adams and Central 01:28 Washington and Central 01:48 Seventh and Van Buren 02:08 First Baptist Church 02:28 Patrick Hotel 02:48 Rialto Theater 03:08 Arizona State Capitol 03:28 North Central Avenue 03:48 Central Avenue & West Holly Street 04:08 North Central Avenue & Van Buren 04:28 Bob Drewer Ford 04:48 Vinton Manor Apartment Hotel 05:08 Phoenix Art Museum 05:28 Labor Day Dust Storm 05:48 Western Ho 06:09 Circle K Motor Hotel 06:28 Park Lane Motor Court 06:49 Lone Star Motel 07:08 Cottage Court 07:28 Edward Oldsmobile 07:48 Chevron Gas Station 08:09 Casa Loma Building 08:29 State University Auditorium 08:49 Mesa's Main Street 09:08 Mesa Arizona Temple 09:28 Main Street in Scottsdale 09:48 Brown Avenue in Scottsdale 10:08 Valley Ho Hotel 10:28 American Heritage Wax Museum 10:48 Outro CITATIONS: BY-NC 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/roadsidepic... BY 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/autohistori... BY 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/boston_publ... CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... BY-NC-ND 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/sherlock77/... BY-NC-ND 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/sherlock77/... CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... BY-NC-ND 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/upnorthmemo... BY 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/boston_publ... BY 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/autohistori... BY-NC 2.0, https://flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/... CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... #arizona #phoenix #history #thenandnow #pastandpresent #oldphotos #historical #documentary