The phoenix, just like the bird it is named after, has always changed, evolved and grown from the ruins of what once was.
But as the saying goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Even though our streets and buildings look very different, residents of the Phoenix metropolitan area are still the same, whether they’re enjoying a scenic hike or reveling in monsoon storms.
Take a look back at photo comparisons from the Arizona Republic archives that show how much the Valley of the Sun has changed in a few decades or 100 years.
Downtown Gilbert
Gilbert’s origins date back to 1898, when William Michael “Bobby” Gilbert purchased 160 acres (65 hectares) of land from the federal government through a homestead deed that now forms the west side of Gilbert Road, or Main Street as it was then known.
He sold a right of way across his homestead in 1902 to build a railroad line. A depot was built next to the line and was called the Gilbert Depot. Merchants had not yet moved into the area as it was purely a farming area until 1908 when businesses began to locate in the area that later became Gilbert.
Photos provided by Republic show the Bank of Gilbert in 1917, located across the street from where Joe’s Real BBQ is now located. The property where the bank once stood is now home to a Postino’s restaurant.
Downtown Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix has experienced strong growth over the past few decades, but one building shows how much has changed.
The Hotel Adams was Phoenix’s first luxury hotel when it was built in 1896. In 1910, the building caught fire in what would become known as the city’s most spectacular fire. However, it was rebuilt in 1919. The new building was five stories tall and made of reinforced concrete that was touted as “absolutely fireproof.”
Over the years, the hotel was expanded to include four more floors and received air conditioning and a rooftop pool. By the late 1960s, downtown Phoenix was in decline and was no longer seen as an entertainment destination. The hotel lost popularity. In 1973, the hotel was demolished and replaced with a new hotel to support the new civic center.
The Renaissance Hotel, built on the property, keeps the hotel’s history alive today.
Mill Avenue Bridge
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Tempe had many bridges that never reached full capacity because they were destroyed by flooding, and many required multiple attempts to build before they held up.
The Mill Avenue Bridge as we know it today was built in 1931 to replace an older bridge and accommodate more traffic. It has been in use ever since and was even featured in a movie.
Metro Phoenix is growing rapidly. These photos show how much has changed in 60 years
Arizona Republic staff writer Dale Hallock and former reporters Dylan Wickman and Kerria Weaver contributed to this article.