John F. Long’s Maryvale Shopping City attracted stars

Maryvale Shopping City, circa 1961. / Malls of America

By Douglas C. Towne | Special for the Republic

Imagine Maryvale as a glamorous destination where shipwrecked millionaire Thurston Howell III of “Gilligan’s Island” fame bowled a few frames with developer John F. Long. Then pretend they were cheered on by a fetching future Bond girl and an iconic mobster of the silver screen.

Although this west Phoenix neighborhood is on the upswing thanks in part to Grand Canyon University, such a scenario featuring Hollywood celebrities recreating in Maryvale today sounds as unlikely as a nailing a 7-10 “goalpost” bowling split.

But things were very different when the Maryvale Shopping City opened in 1959. It was the largest shopping center between Dallas and the West Coast. Not only did the retail center feature department and specialty stores typically found in malls, but customers also had the convenience of picking up a loaf of bread at two supermarkets and unleashing strikes at the Bowlero Bowling Lanes.

READ ON:

Share this!

Additional Articles

Top master-planned communities for 2024

By AZ Big Media Here are the Top 10 master-planned communities in Arizona, based on public voting for the 2024 edition of Ranking Arizona, the state’s biggest and most comprehensive business opinion poll. Ranking Arizona

Read More »
News Categories

Get Our Twice Weekly Newsletter!

* indicates required

Rose Law Group pc values “outrageous client service.” We pride ourselves on hyper-responsiveness to our clients’ needs and an extraordinary record of success in achieving our clients’ goals. We know we get results and our list of outstanding clients speaks to the quality of our work.