Tucson, Arizona in 1990's and 2000's. A Short History of Tucson from my Photo and Video Collection

I lived mostly in the East side of Tucson, and here are a collection of photographs and videos that I have from my childhood and early adult years living in Tucson.
Park Mall turned into Park Place in the late 90's and early 2000's. We used to drive to Tucson Mall in order to shop at Foley's and Dillard's, but soon we got Macy's and Dillard's to Park Place, in addition to a brand new Century movie theater, replacing two older movie theaters in next to the mall.
Davis Monthan Air Force Base was within a few miles from where I used to live, and I would often see (and hear) the A-10 Warthogs and fighter jets cruising past our house during all times in the day. It is also home to one of the largest military airplane boneyards in the world, with over 3000 airplanes as of 2023!
Abco Foods was one of the most popular grocery stores in Tucson, and eventually would go out of business in the 2000's to become Safeway stores.
Congress Street in downtown Tucson also received many upgrades over the years, and now is connected to University Boulevard via a light rail station, that was years after I had already graduated from the University of Arizona. Speaking of which, I have a photo of when the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering building was still under construction in 1996.
In the mid 1990's there were limited routes for flying into and from Tucson International Airport, but some of the carriers that we got to fly included America West Airlines, Reno Air, Delta, Southwest, American, Aeromexico and United. And most of the time, we would have to fly into other hubs, such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, Denver, Dallas, or Las Vegas.
One of the more prominent memories of many children in Tucson from the 1990's included Magic Carpet Golf, which once sported the Tiki head that is now located at The Hut on 4th Ave. Eegees is another place that would be birthday party and school party favorite!
Background music by Felipe, link here for more of his music!
-- / @felipe2688

[@mtbrooksaz5674]

I Miss the the 90's. Piccadilly, Circuit City, El Con Mall before the renovations, Hollywood Video. I even remember when Coffee Etc. used to be at Park Mall.

[@marvinpitman2441]

I miss the Piccadilly.

[@nathanb7281]

Coffee Etc. was good.

[@beachlady5284]

I miss Hidden Valley Inn on Sabino Canyon!! And Eegees!

[@alexriofta7846]

Smitty's Grocery store before they were bought out and changed to Smith's or Fry's or whatever it is now. I worked there in the mid 1990s

[@alexriofta7846]

I miss the 14-0 state champion Mt View Mountain Lions football team. Led by the Schmidtke brothers. That was 1993!!!

[@normavelazco3515]

This is pure art, pure nostalgic vibes, especially the monsoon season, if you grew up in Tucson you know what I’m talking about. I was born in Tucson in 1993 so this brought me back to my childhood.

[@coyotelong4349]

Born in Mesa in 1994 so it hits very close to home for me too!

[@bmurphy386]

I grew up in Tucson... only if I had known the 80s and 90s were awesome. Good times.

[@jamesmoss3424]

I live in Tucson and it's great. 😀👍

[@danatello3694]

I lived next to magic carpet golf when I was a child and the arcade there was so awesome

[@LilSpghetti]

I miss borders at park place. That was my favorite hangout spot after school

[@jimcurt99]

Lived here since 1969- you have no idea how much has changed... some things are better, some worse. Still love it

[@notafortnitegamer]

Yea it’s super blue here now sadly

[@jimcurt99]

@@notafortnitegamer no politics please

[@ashleygibson2342]

What is one thing that has changed that you miss the most?

[@jimcurt99]

@@ashleygibson2342 I miss going to malls as a teen... when Park Mall opened it was amazing... so fun to hang out (I know a form of it is still there, but it's not the same, and I'm 61 now, not gonna go hang out at a mall)

[@lacygray524]

My dad retired here in 1978?? You could see all of Tucson fom A mountain!! 🤯 Speedway was the main drag. I lived on the East side. How it has changed, but not the streets really. Tangs? Loved that store! The Bum Steer and Wildcats which was a country place before that. Smugglers Inn. The Chicago Store was a landmark. 😢

[@seshansmith]

In the 90s there was pretty much no reason to ho downtown unless you had to go to court

[@GonzoCiosain]

Or if some obscure punk, alternative, ska, or metal band was playing at Skrappy's or the D.P.C.!

[@kensolar69]

In the late 70's early 80's downtown closed at 5PM and turned into a ghost town until the next morning.

[@lacygray524]

😂😂

[@joshualittondrummer]

Golf n stuff was the BEST!!!! Egee’s too! Loved that lemon lime goodness!

[@brianfow4666]

Originally named Golf n things

[@frankieromero7476]

Magic carpet was the one

[@thedivineenergy]

*I just had so many flash backs that I thought I was back in high school. 😃🤭 Thank you for bringing memories back of my family. Sending love to you and everyone you love from one Tucsonan to another. 🥰*

[@RobertBrownTUC]

Playground is back open, the owner of it also operates a handful of other business on congress as well. They invested pretty heavy in their food businesses after the pandemic and it took them a bit to open Playground back up.

[@theleap2946]

The Park Place was definitely where you watched movies. Mann Theaters, The El Dorado and The Buena Vista. For a short while the Buena Vista became a concert venue. The most epic show I heard about was Slayer….and the stories of people getting destroyed in the pit were numerous.

[@GonzoCiosain]

I know a guy who worked that Slayer show as a security guard. There were a few broken noses from flying chairs, because the venue staff at the time thought "Gee willickers! A rock and roll band called 'Slayer!' Yikes! Let's set up metal folding chairs so that their rowdy rocker fans sit down and behave!" Within one minute of their first song starting, every one of those metal chairs was either smashed against the wall, airborne, or both.

[@alexjohnson4759]

Man Abco brought back memories. Mine was the one on oracle near orange grove

[@msm7611]

Aww! Loved this video, so many memories. Tucson has changed so much! Eegees has closed down so many locations recently and it really hasn't tasted the same since they changed owners. Another heartbreaker was PLUSH... You were correct it turned into Flycatcher...and now it's apartments (I believe) totally new look down there... also LOVED you showed Silo! I always tell my husband about it 😂

[@MarsMellow84]

At least those gems are still there.

[@mtbrooksaz5674]

Never forget Davis-Monthan AFB, Skate Country, Golf N' Stuff, Ice-O-Plex, Camp Cooper, Old Tucson Studios, Sabino Canyon, Discovery Zone, The Monsoons....I could go on.

[@jryan9547]

I lived in Tucson from 01-13. I’ll be visiting this Sept. This brings back the 2000 vibes. Loved it! That River and Alvernon is something you def have to pay attention to. I remember first living on the E side near Pantano. I didn’t realize there were several Pantanos that didn’t connect lol

[@Filmlove]

That’s right, there are the several Pantanos at that one overpass that always confused me too! 😅

[@johnvasquez4746]

Dillard's (originally Diamonds) was one of the anchor stores when Park Mall first opened in mid-70s.

[@jordanmerchant8757]

I graduated from the UofA in 2006. Time's flying for sure

[@jesuscampa-qs2he]

I really miss Souper Salad we had in town.

[@Filmlove]

Never got to try Souper Salad, but we went to Sweet Tomatoes often. Hopefully the one near Tucson Mall is still there

[@tonyvargas368]

@@Filmlovethey are all closed. There is a new location on Broadway in a prior location. It’s always busy. No word on more locations.

[@kikiplease4714]

Omgosh! I love eegees! Miss it so much! I grew up in the 90s so this video brings back memories!

[@sentihcn]

It's nothing like it used to be ever since it was sold to a NY Investment Firm 8 years ago.

[@ANTIK1OAS]

Man, taking me back. Lived in Tucson and Marana from 91-01. I miss it desperately.

[@joaquinperez7484]

I grew up on Westside of Tucson class of 99 Tucson high school miss the 90s ❤

[@coyotelong4349]

I still remember the ad jingle for ABCO Foods/Desert Market “Desert Market- The Best Deals Under The Sun!” 🎶

[@danatello3694]

It's like looking into my childhood. I was born and raised in Tucson during the 90s. And I remember going to the sketchy theater and the theater at the park place mall. We didn't have a car so we took the bus. Saw some great movies there. Omg I am having quite the throw back

[@thatonezach]

I was born in 2004 and live in Oro Valley, this is such an interesting video to watch!

[@torreyintahoe]

I lived in Tucson 89-98. I was an avid climber so spent a lot of time at Windy Point on the Lemmon. I like the Shanty, Club Congress, La Parilla Suiza, Mi Nidito and the Bayhorse. I worked at Bocatta, Kingfisher and Presidio restaurants in college.

[@trinityloneeagle]

Really cool seeing this video, I was born in 2004 so I never saw how Tucson used to look. Seeing the differences is really insane. Seeing Park Mall being turned into Park Place Mall was so trippy since I’m so used to seeing it as it is today.

[@Filmlove]

Oh yeah it was a night and day difference after they remodeled Park Place! I wish I had footage of inside the mall, I remember it was dark and not very inviting at all, but at least there was a great pretzel shop!

[@gwesco]

I can remember when Park Mall was not there. Just Sears, a small strip of stores and Furr's Cafeteria. We used to eat at Furr's then wander around the corner to shop at Sears. I still have all of the Craftsman tools I bought there. They eventually ran Furr's off so they could bring in another "high end" store to gentrify the mall.

[@homerj806]

I was a kid in Tucson during the 90s. Man I feel so old already.

[@alexriofta7846]

I graduated from Marana, Mountain View on May 22, 1996. I moved to Denver soon thereafter. This brings back memories.

[@santi_83]

Did they have the McDonalds across the street back then

[@alexriofta7846]

@@santi_83 Lol no it wasn't built yet! They had just built that apartment complex it was brand new.

[@santi_83]

@@alexriofta7846 wow

[@santi_83]

@@alexriofta7846 I’m about to start my freshman year there

[@alexriofta7846]

Yeah I started there near the end of my freshman year. March 1993. I used to live by Tortolita Junior High

[@joemancini148]

I miss Plush so much. Thought about it when I clicked on the video but didn't expect it to come up. Nice.

[@nathanb7281]

Another good then and now is the Jack in the Box by the U of A.

[@myssilightful]

Anyone remember Zips records, Toxic Ranch music store, Zia’s Music. DPC for

[@Filmlove]

Yes both Zips and Zia were the spots for new album drops and selling the old cassettes!

[@kppriest]

I worked there for a time and also Wherehouse on Speedway both in early 90’s

[@sentihcn]

No love for PDQ?

[@vitaAutLetum]

@@Filmlove Zia Records still exists. It's had to expand its offerings though. It's become more like a Bookmans, which also still exists, with other physical media but a better music selection. Zia has locations in the Phoenix and Las Vegas areas as well.

[@ovisaurum6358]

As an out of towner, I always thought tucson was a much cooler place in that era than it is now.

[@leonardwei3914]

Interesting look from the past. Some of it still looks the same today. As for planes, looks like a B1 Lancer, F15, E-3 or E-8 (prob E-8) and last one a C-130 transport plane.

[@MarsMellow84]

I grew up in Rita Ranch too! We lived in one of the fifth houses ever built and around in the 90s. It was a great neighborhood to grow up in.

[@nicholassanders527]

Thanks for this. So fun to take a trip back to my childhood

[@AndrewTubbiolo]

@5:16 That's a B-1 bomber. Going into DM for storage. Likely came back out for the WOT.

[@CaesarConsuloProVita]

Plush is now a modern apartment building.

[@RadicalRegice]

It’s weird seeing all the big department stores at the mall. Now Dillard’s is the only one still there at Park Place lol

[@reluctantprophet]

That was the Buena Vista theatre and I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark there in the 80’s and then I worked security there after Murphy leased it out to promote concerts. Amazing place and allowed me to see my first concert Pink Floyd in Tempe. The theatre had some amazing artists even though it was a dump. Coolio, Bone Thugs in Harmony, DL Hughley, Phish, Great White, Danzig, Sarah McLachlan. Hung out with Joseph Blair, Miles Simon, and Mike Bibby and a bunch of other concerts and raves I can’t recall off hand. Was a great job to have in the early 90’s

[@Filmlove]

Sounds like it was the place to be, I wish it still existed when I was old enough to go out!

[@christopherclarke6642]

Loved this video. I lived in Tucson from the end of elementary school in the early 70s until graduating from the U of A in the mid 1980s but continued to go back frequently over the years. Re: Park Mall-Dillard’s was formerly Diamond’s and I believe may have opened as an original anchor store name Goldwater’s. The Broadway opened as Levy’s., which also had a location at El Con mall. The movie theater across the street was the El Dorado, and the nearby twin theater was the Buena Vista. The first mystery plane you showed was a B-1 bomber. I, too, also preferred Magic Carpet golf over Golf ‘n Stuff. Tucson has always been weird and wonderful!

[@Filmlove]

Weird and wonderful is a great way to describe Tucson for sure! Yes thanks for unraveling the B-1 mystery, and I appreciate the added history, the town really goes back

[@KL-kb8mr]

Dillard's was at Park Mall before the remodel. During the remodel they tore down the Dillard's building and built the food court in that space, and they rebuilt a new Dillard's store adjacentto the food court. Mann Theater was the sketchy theater at the mall. The floors were super sticky with soda spills. Thanks for the memories!

[@williamponce5907]

I miss being able to go all the way to the terminal at the airport when I was a kid

[@mtbrooksaz5674]

I remember those days. It was really cool to see the planes depart and arrive, seeing the 727's, MD-80's, 737-200's. Even hanging out in the Baggage Claim area was cool.

[@lorriemcgee5562]

That Mervyns was originally SaveCo. They sold food, clothing, furniture, records, you name it, just like Montgomery Wards.

[@denh2594]

I lived in Tucson from 1979-1984 before moving to Europe (first in the foothills off the Catalina Hwy, later on the East side of town). Best place I've ever lived (despite the summer heat). I've gone back many times since then and have really seen the city evolve (for better or worse). It always feels like coming home. My sister worked at Mervyn's and Dillards. I spent a lot of time at Park Mall and sometimes El Con. The Tucson Mall and Foothills Mall was on the other side of town so I didn't make it over there much....I did later though. Absolutely love how the downtown area has evolved over the years.

[@IzInAZ]

My sister is one of the performers in Dillinger Days at Club Congress every year. It's fun to dress up and attend. She really misses Magic Carpet, hehe

[@MarkLost-dq7eo]

We don't have those monsoons anymore 2:50. I miss the 00's and the 90's so much. I remember when mt Lemmon use to have snow caps from nov to april. All that is gone now!

[@MarsMellow84]

I worked at Macy's for about 2 years there in Tucson. The building's been vacant for like 10 years now. It's pretty sad

[@Filmlove]

Oh wow I had no idea it’s empty now, such a huge space to be ghosted

[@arch131]

The Mann theater was the name of the sketchy theater.

[@JOEM747]

Too funny, I live in Rita Ranch nowadays and much of what you said hasn't changed. The gas station is still there and now it's a Circle K! Also at 7:25 , those swinging double doors are just where they left them in Safeway and the Deli sure is too!

[@tailgunner2]

Late 90s, when I was still in the Guard, I was deployed to Davis-Monthan for a few weeks for training. I really do not remember much other than alot of concrete work, and ALOT of drinking.

[@brucecollins7424]

I'm a Tucson 80s person who moved to the Bay Area in 86 (graduated from Sahuaro High School in 86), I remember Furrs Cafeteria, Bobby Magee's, Organ Stop Pizza, spring training baseball games and I remember when Park Mall was basically just a "t" shaped mall- not very big at all.

[@hagakuru]

Organ stop was pretty cool. Forgot about that place.

[@DiegoPerez-kl1fq]

The Playground is still open. At least it has been for the past 2 1/2 years I’ve been here.

[@AlphaZuluPhotography]

The first large plane you didn’t know was a B1-Bomber.

[@franciscogil6798]

Bone😮

[@seshansmith]

Across wilmot was yhat concert venue that had the rap concerts. I think i saw ice cube there once. A bit out of place being a white dude from Sabino.

[@mrcactus1984]

lived in Tucson from 1994 to 1999. went to Doolen middle school 1996-1998 and Catalina High school 1998-1999.

[@Filmlove]

I was grateful Catalina had a public pool, came in handy for those hot summer nights! Also, people often confused Catalina with Catalina Foothills

[@danatello3694]

Went to empire high-school graduated in 2010 I remembered when they were breaking the ground for that school. I miss those youthful happy times

[@Veishan]

Ah, the memories. I've lived in Tucson more or less my whole life. I was a kid in the late '90s-early '00s so I remember the Park Mall renovation, Diamond Shamrock (now Valero) and ABCO. Surprised you didn't touch on El Con Mall, which used to be a fairly significant shopping center. Sadly it was one of the first casualties of the internet here in Tucson. I enjoyed the video and your stories!

[@Filmlove]

Thanks, I’m glad you had the chance to watch! I agree, El Con was the place to be in the early 90’s and a few of my family worked in that mall at one point when Foley’s and Wards was still a thing. The colorful El Con sign was iconic

[@Hoodlums_void]

Dude I’m up there every week visiting my grandma, I live in Sierra vista btw

[@lorriemcgee5562]

The Buena Vista Theatre was on the east side of Wilmont. Ace Hardware was on the west entrance of Wilmont. Furrs cafeteria was just outside of Sears and the mall.

[@Laciesgrl33]

The gas station on Kolb and Valencia is now a speedway gas station.

[@KAZI829]

You forgot something in the park mall the Mann theatres 4 closed in 98 and got demolished for the Century 20

[@Filmlove]

Ah yes the Mann theaters, I was trying to remember the name!

[@desert_sky_guy]

🤯🤯🤯 I moved here in 1999 to finish school at the UA. This is amazing! Thank you!

[@revamp7411]

I may not remember el con but I’ve heard how it used to be a lot different

[@sarcasticlollipop]

It’s amazing to see how much Tucson has changed. I have lived in Tucson my entire life and I remember a lot of these places growing up. Here’s what I think those planes are: 5:22 this might be a B-1 lancer but I’m not 100% sure. 6:33 that’s an E-3 for sure

[@mikemichaud5578]

Nice video brings back memories lived there 1980-1988. I love Tucson my daughter lives there now she went to UofA

[@wilsonb1121]

I loved ABCO at Sabino and Tanque Verde

[@lorriemcgee5562]

Fedmart, Gemco, SaveCo, Feigs deli, Lucky supermarket, El Taco, walking out to the jets. That is a B-1 bomber.

[@MakriaMicronation]

I'm Tucsonian

[@andrewhooper9907]

The radar plane is a E-3 Sentry. They are currently retiring alot of them. 10 have come in this year for retirement.

[@desert_sky_guy]

Lindy was an iconic bouncer and employee of Che's Lounge and other places on 4th. Dude went and made himself legendary with his burger joint.

[@jmw1982blue]

It's always gonna be Park Mall to me.

[@justtoletyahknow1]

yoooo!! :D I love stumbling across Tucson historical videoes!

[@ovisaurum6358]

Was Tucson more affluent in the 80s and 90s? I remember when i visited as a kid, the city itself seemed a lot nicer than it does now in 2024.

[@Filmlove]

Glad to hear that the memories of the 80’s and 90’s made Tucson seem nicer, but I’m guessing the city was probably relatively newer then compared to the dated look of some places now. I actually think Tucson looks more affluent now whenever I see the new developments in Downtown

[@twinturbo3470]

I just started watching the video and if he doesn’t mention “Can’t But Me Love” imma lose it!!!!!

[@malegria9641]

I was born here, mid 2000s. Spent my entire life here. It looks so familiar yet so different… Also goddamn, I’m having memories of being a little kid

[@mtbrooksaz5674]

Oh and the coin fountains at Tucson Mall use to be there, too.

[@JZStudiosonline]

The railcar is annoying. They removed the historic car that was always there, ripped out all the old tracks, then put in new tracks (Which took years) including going under one of the bridges which the railcar couldn't actually go through. Now it just screeches around downtown while not doing anything a bus couldn't do, and the Ronstadt center is already right there. Pretty sure the flycatcher and the hippy gypsy got removed and turned into some dorms or something. Magpies on 4th is also closing as of this week or so. They've been trying to revitalize downtown to be more than homeless people, a handful of bars, and tattoo parlors into just a bunch of bars and tattoo parlors.

[@zms8092]

Aww America West and Reno Air!

[@misterkite]

Rita Ranch has its own eegees now too... (in the rapidly growing houghton town center, which includes a walmart)

[@Filmlove]

Wow Eegees in RR now?! They are living good in that neighborhood!

[@rexleeh]

Buena Vista Theatre

[@CaesarConsuloProVita]

Playground has reopened….

[@vacax]

Playground space is merging with Hub so it will continue in some form

[@sentihcn]

I miss Silo and Circuit City. Best Buy is lame compared to them.

[@tootz1950]

Egee's was expensive and had really rude workers. I only went to two and walked out of the second because I'm not buying anything when they feel I'm interrupting their play time. The only place in Tucson I had trouble.

[@Filmlove]

I mean I doubt they were paying their employees premium wages😂. I’m just happy they prepared my food well. Yes the menu is fairly basic for the price, but something about it nostalgic for sure

[@sentihcn]

Eegees is trash ever since the original owners sold it in 2018. Luckily we have Slice N Ice.

[@tootz1950]

@@sentihcn I left the country soon after my visit to Egees. Been visiting many different countries with different cultures. I have enjoyed myself and haven't been treated like trash since I left the US.

[@boombox2112]

That sketchy movie theater I don’t remember the name of it but it was a dollar theater that would show movies that left normal theater and before they would hit the home video market at a nice discount. Wasn’t sketchy was just a budget theater.

[@later_skateboards]

Except gm is a solid car.

[@nicj.tessier1689]

That plane you didnt know the name of is a B-1 Lancer

[@basketballspinner]

Where’s pistol pete’s pizza, oh wait, that’s in Phoenix. Or was it just, Pete’s Pizza. Who knows anymore?

[@Filmlove]

They were definitely in Tucson, but that was eons ago now. I think I remember one on 22nd street

[@mikemichaud5578]

There was also this restaurant that was a jail house and you got to eat in a jail cell. Not sure if that’s around anymore I forgot location and name

[@Filmlove]

Sounds interesting, and probably more luxurious than lunch in the stairwell of my high school 😂. Curious if anyone remembers the name

[@cwinsten1]

Old City Jail…330 S Wilmot

[@lorenabell4713]

Eegee's has changed. It was taken over by a new owner and it's definitely not the same as it was and the 2000s.

[@TravisPastramee]

Eegee's food just hasn't been good ever since their whole corporate expansion thing happened. The drinks are good still, but the food is pretty gross.

[@Filmlove]

Sad to hear, but I’ll still get a sandwich again next time I’m in AZ 😂

[@justinschicker8424]

PLAYGROUND IS BACK OPEN

[@notafortnitegamer]

Now Tucson is becoming like California….

[@ashleygibson2342]

Except it’s not.

[@crazydrummerofdoom]

😢😢😢 Man how I hate Rio nuevo, Tucson has lost its soul.

[@mtbrooksaz5674]

Anybody recall the TV-4 Eyewitness News era?

[@brianfow4666]

So awesome you left Tucson

[@chuckschickbaldtacos]

Born in Tucson in the early 70’s … the Dillard’s was definitely there in 99

[@CrazyLibs]

I live in AZ, and Tuscon is trash. When you drive down the highway its very disappointing

[@Filmlove]

The drive up the highway instead may change your perspective 😜. In all seriousness though, Tucson isn’t much from the freeway, but take some time visiting the local spots and you may find it a nice change of pace from other towns or cities

[@bmurphy386]

Cineplex odeon cheap seats fyi