Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Sunnyslope


The decoration on this bridge over one of our many canals is designed to introduce the driver to Sunnyslope, a village within Phoenix on the north side of town.  I recently heard a story on our local NPR radio station about how Sunnyslope used to be a community of people who came to Arizona for their health.  A little more than a century ago, people were coming to Arizona for  the hot dry climate, thought to be good for people with tuberculosis.  Many of the people who came here were poor and couldn't afford medical care at home so they came here to see if the climate would help.  Because of a need to help these people, the Desert Mission was founded and later the John C. Lincoln Hospital.  The city of Phoenix annexed the area in 1959 but many people who have lived there since the beginning still refer to it as Sunnyslope.  

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting history, and I love the bridge adornments!

Karl said...

Yes, interesting history.
The decorations on the bridge look like two big torches, aren't they?

Billy Blue Eyes said...

So are the canals anything like we have here?

Unknown said...

Such interesting information.

Mersad said...

Looks really interesting. Will google it for more info.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

Halcyon said...

I thought they were Olympic torches! I like the name Sunnyslope, sounds like it would be a nice neighborhood.

Judy said...

That was a good history lesson! I wonder how many people got better from just the climate.

William Kendall said...

I do know that's why Doc Holliday came to Arizona.

I do like the bridge decor!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I seem to remember that's one of the main reasons we went out to Africa when we were so young.. my elder sister had asthma and a hot dry climate was advised.. A dramatic entrance to 'Sunnyslope' here Sharon.

RedPat said...

I'm surprised to hear that you have a lot of canals, Sharon!

Catalyst said...

Those are nice sculptures. I've never seen them (in person).

Lois said...

I have always heard of how people used to go Arizona for health reasons. The scenery alone would make me feel better!

Thérèse said...

Yes I heard about this fact because of the very reason why Boyce Gulley came to town and later built the Mystery Castle.
A nice invitation to enter Sunnyslope.

Kate said...

I have heard the history of many Minnesotans who moved to Arizona during that time period. Interesting sculptures.