This is a picture of my mother taken in 1953 here in Phoenix. There is not enough of the mountain background to know for sure, but I heard someone explain once, when they saw this, that it was probably taken south of Phoenix with South Mountain at her back and the sun rising in the East at her right. Apparently there used to be lots of flower fields out there. If anybody is reading this and knows more, share it with me. She died in almost 40 years ago in 1969 when I was very small.The city has grown southward from Downtown Phoenix right up to the edge of that mountain in the background.
The event that I played at last Saturday night may well have been right on this spot! It is a place called "The Secret Garden" on Baseline and 24th Street. I may send a copy of this photo to the owner of the venue and the event coordinator as part of saying thanks for having me on that event- in hopes of getting more work there.
4 comments:
Hello, I am a friend of Cynthia's. The Japanese Flower Gardens were a locally famous stretch of independent flower growers at Baseline Road beginning at about 48th St. and continuing West even past 15th Ave. Back "in the day" there was exceedingly little development, and that part of the Valley was still agricultural. (For example: Ahwatukee was at that time just a single old home and a few out buildings on a large, virgin desert acreage of a private ranch!)
I moved here in 1971, and by that time there were only about 3 or 4 Japanese flower farms still operating. It used to be a big deal for people to get in their cars and take a family drive very slowly along Baseline in the Spring to see the spectacular acres and acres of beautiful flowers.
Here is an informative link on the history of the farms:
http://www.asianchamber.org/viewArticle.php?articleId=112
Thanks CaliZona! That WAS an informative article. It's good to have the story be more substantiated than cousin so-and-so saying that they heard from Uncle Whatsit who remembered Grampa Something saying it was such and such... Thanks for reading.
~Curtis
I always assumed that photo of mom was down near South Mountain. I don't know why I thought that, maybe cousin so-and-so told me. There were some flower fields when I first moved here in 1981. They were very pretty to drive by.
Ms. Calizona is a good source for all knowledgeable things.
I don't think I've ever seen that photo. I'm always surprised when I find a new one.
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