So I'm not sure how many people are aware of this site:
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html
Its the American Memory program by the Library of Congress. Its an incredible resource for finding old photos of nearly everything. Being a native Phoenician, thats obviously the area that caught my interest, so here's a compilation of stuff I found interesting from there:
Welcome to Phoenix (1940)
A house at 725 E. Washington
A house 'way up north' on 3502 N Central, from approx 1940.
Also from 1940, a home at 3320 N Central
The beautiful Victorian Rosen House, which still stands in
Heritage Square (not its original location).
The long gone Ford Hotel on Washington and 2nd Ave
Grand Canal, facing Hayden Butte (Tempe), circa 1916
Taking a dip in the Grand Canal. Date unknown (I'd guess 20s from the bathing suits).
Anderson House. 505 N 7th St, from 1940
Evans house on Washington St and 11th Ave from 1940. I believe this building still stands
Sweatnan House. Washington St and 18th Ave from approx 1940
The Stroud Building, 33 N Central Ave, it no longer stands
The Phoenix Herald building, which stood where the Stroud Building would one day stand. This photo from the early 1880s
Downtown Phoenix circa 1914. Note the huge awnings over West facing buildings.
Some idiot (circa 1870s) tries to ford the Salt River near the Tempe Butte. He should've hired the Indian, its only $5.
Haydens Fairy helps people across the Salt River in Tempe
View of the Ash Ave bridge crossing the Salt River in 1912
"A Typical View of Washington St, Phoenix, AZ" from 1899 or 1900
Livestock Parade (Im always down for a good livestock parade) at the fair circa 1908 (click for big)
Territorial Capitol building, 1908 (click for big)
In 1903 the Valley floor was covered with citrus groves
Photos of the
Phoenix Indian School:
Panorama of the Indian School. January 1908 (click for big)
View of the school from the SW
View from SE of Indian Elementary School
Memorial to Native Americans who fought in American wars
Indian School Memorial Hall
Interior, Memorial Hall
West Facade of the Indian School gym
Welp, thats about it. You should look up your hometown too, that site has lots of cool stuff.