Catalina Foothills Lodge

Friday, August 28, 2015 0 No tags Permalink

Vintage Postcard – Catalina Foothills Lodge

Catalina Foothills Lodge

Catalina Foothills Lodge
5250 No. Oracle Road, Tucson, Arizona
Located in the Oracle Foothills Estates
This is a scene showing some of our 50 completely furnished apartments.

Pub. by Phoenix Specialty Adv. Co., 2605 W. Van Buren, Phoenix, Arizona
10276-B

Genuine Natural Color Made by Dexter Press, Inc., West Nyack, N.Y.

This lovely vintage postcard is unused.

Digging up some history, it looks like the business behind Catalina Foothills Lodge was founded in 1946. Currently the place is listed under apartments with 64 units. It has no website. When I call the phone number (520.887.4711) no one picks up but there is an answering machine that says I’ve reached the Catalina Foothills Lodge. I didn’t leave a message.

The buildings are still standing:

catalina foothills lodge now

08/29/2015

Guess what?! We have a fantastic update (with photos!) from Nancy Bernard, who notes the place is ‘magic’. She has all kinds of wildlife visit her, including javelinas. She said “it’s not much different than what’s depicted on the vintage postcard except that the palm trees are about 30 feet tall and the front yards of the casitas have cacti (all sorts, and large) and no lawns.”

Photo courtesy Nancy Bernard

Photo courtesy Nancy Bernard

Photo courtesy Nancy Bernard

Photo courtesy Nancy Bernard

I honestly think the place looks magic, too. I’d love to visit. Nancy, thank you SO much for the update and pictures!

More Arizona motels here:

Bali Hi Motor Hotel

Ghost Ranch Lodge

Benson Motel

Del Webb’s Mountain Shadows Hotel

Wednesday, May 29, 2013 0 No tags Permalink

Vintage Postcard – Del Webb’s Mountain Shadows Hotel

Del Webb's Mountain Shadows Hotel

Del Webb’s Mountain Shadows Hotel
Scottsdale, Arizona
In the shadow of famous Camelback Mountain
Featuring 2 swimming pools – one twice Olympic size, 18-hole 3 par – 4 par golf course, tennis courts, extensive banquet and meeting facilities, 250 luxury accommodations. Open Year ‘Round.

This lovely vintage postcard was postmarked (Give to the March of Dimes), Phoenix, Arizona and mailed on January 15 1965 using a grey 5 cent Washington stamp. It was mailed to Mr. Malcolm Carr, International House, 1414 East 59th Street, Chicago 37, Illinois.

Pub. by Petley Studios, 4051 E Van Buren, Phoenix, Arizona
68214

Dearest Malc, –
Spent the day here and meant to mail this from Scottsdale, but didn’t have your address.
This is a lovely place, would like to take you and Margaret over some day when you are here.
It’s now time for you to write.
Love, Mom [?]

In 2004, the Mountain Shadows Hotel (then owned by Marriott) shut down. Hotel Online (News for the Hospitality Executive) reported of its last days. The old resort was located at 56th Street and Lincoln Drive, the resort opened in January of 1959 (it was sold to the Del Webb Company in 1964). Marriott purchased it in 1981. The area around the resort, Paradise Valley, has an interesting history.

In 2009, the Phoenix Business Journal reported that a new owner was taking control of the Mountain Shadows Hotel – KEPT Holdings LLC. However, in May of 2012, the Phoenix Business Journal then reported that the entire resort, including the golf course, would be sold at a foreclosure sale in July. They noted “The 68-acre property is on the south side of Lincoln Drive and both sides of 56th Street. The 337-room hotel has been closed since September 2004. The executive golf course on the property is still open.” At the end of May 2012, Arizona Builder’s Exchange reported that “Solage Hotels and Resorts is planning to invest a “substantial amount” of money in Mountain Shadows resort to forestall foreclosure.” Further talks held over the summer of 2012 involved residents and the city commission. In August 2012, it was announced that “redevelopment plans for the shuttered Mountain Shadows resort in Paradise Valley have been revised in hopes of accommodating residents and town officials. But not everybody is pleased with it, including an ally of financially troubled resort.” Early this year, it seemed that Solage has walked away from the deal, but Crown Realty is still trying to work through the process.

Finally, on April 18, 2013, the deal finally came together. You can read the details here. I am guessing that perhaps they are going to tear all this down? But google maps shows the details of the pool in the postcard above now:

del webb today

That’s a heck of a long story to tell you what’s been happening to the old place in recent years. Anyhow, the card was sent to Malcom Carr, at International House in Chicago. I.H. is a residence hall for the University of Chicago; it specifically allows students from all over the world to live together.

Desert Inn

Sunday, February 14, 2010 0 No tags Permalink

Desert Inn
950 West Van Buren, Phoenix, Ariz.
80 beautiful rooms, in the heart of the city on
Highway 80. Refrigerated air conditioning, hot
water heating, a coffee shop, dining room and
Cocktail Lounge. One of the most beautiful
swimming pools in Phoenix. Affiliated with Hotel
Desert Hills and Tahiti Inn.

This postcard has the Best Western, and AAA logos.

The motel is still in operation today, and from the Google Maps photo, it still has the lovely pool. However, the one travel review indicated that it was not the sort of place you’d like to rest your head.

Benson Motel

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 0 No tags Permalink

Benson Motel, Box 365, Benson, Arizona
18 Modern, air-conditioned units. 3 kitchenettes. Indi-
vidually thermostatically controlled heat. Your hosts, Mr.
& Mrs. E.G. Franzen.

Used and postmarked ELOV ARIZ. Nov 13 1957. Stamp is 2 cent Jefferson Stamp.
Addressed to Mrs Ruth Francis
28719 Groveland St
Madison Hight [sic] Mich

Well here we are again today is the 12 Nov. We rode 489 miles today we will be at Joe Place Nov 14 with good luck how are the girls I hope Jean is Better Pa is fine and so far it has been fine
So long love
Pa – Ma

A more recent photo of the motel is available here, through whflood’s photostream on flickr.

Ghost Ranch Lodge

Thursday, October 22, 2009 0 No tags Permalink

Known for gentle hospitality since 1941
801 West Miracle Mile Tucson, Arizona 85703
(602-791-7665)

The Bali-Hi Motor Hotel

Wednesday, September 30, 2009 0 No tags Permalink

The Bali-Hi Motor Hotel, located at 1515 Grand Ave. Phoenix 7, Arizona. Phone AL 8-7101 – Teletype PX 218. 170 “Beautifully decorated rooms, near the heart of the city on Hwys. 60-70-89. Refrigerated air conditioning. Coffee Shop Open 24 hours. Dining Room – Cocktail Lounge – Two of the most beautiful heated swimming pools in Phoenix.” Photography by Tom Reed, Published by Phoenix Specialty Adv. Co., 1528 E. Clarendon, Phoenix, Ariz.