27-02-2025
Step back in time: This is what Arizona was like 75 years ago in 1950
Phoenix in 1950 was still small, with just enough growth to make it the 99th biggest city in the U.S.
The Arizona Republic's photo archives highlight some of the biggest moments of 1950, including the start of historical buildings. The photos also show the growth of the Valley of the Sun and everyday life moments from school to shopping spots.
Here are several notable Arizona historical events from 1950:
Phoenix hit a major population milestone: 106,818 residents. This made it the largest city in the Southwest.
Republican Howard Pyle was elected, giving the Republican Party more power in the state.
The rise of air conditioning really took hold in 1950 and the years that followed. This would ignite a population boom in metro Phoenix.
Construction began on the David and Gladys Wright House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for his son and daughter-in-law.
In 1950, the U.S. was navigating the Cold War. Here are several other notable events that happened that year:
Sen. Joseph McCarthy continued to stoke Red Scare fears of Communism in the U.S.
Walt Disney's 'Cinderella' began playing in theaters on Feb. 15, 1950.
Volkswagen began producing the VW bus, which would become a key symbol of counterculture in the coming years and decades.
Black athletes gained significant recognition and visibility in the sports world. In 1950, Chuck Cooper became the first African-American man chosen in the NBA Draft. Later that year, Earl Lloyd became the first African-American to play in an NBA game. Tennis star Althea Gibson also joined the U.S. tennis tour, making her the first Black player to do so.
The Korean War began after North Korean Communist forces invaded South Korea. The war would continue through 1953, claiming the lives of 37,000 American soldiers.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What did Arizona look like 75 years ago? See the historical photos
