Whiz Bang tavern, McClintock Rd.

DateNovember 1966

Mediumfilm

Dimensions2 × 2 in. (5.1 × 5.1 cm)

ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact

Credit LineTransfer from Development Services Department, 1-1-2006

Catalog number2006.9.10403

DescriptionColor photo of Whiz Bang bar in an old wooden building; view is looking west-northwest from S. McClintock Drive from a half mile south of Southern Ave. The Whiz Bang was a tavern, service station, and store located on McClintock Drive near where the Superstition Freeway intersects today. It was likely built in the 1920s, and was destroyed by fire in 1968. It is remembered as being the first tavern in the Tempe area to serve beer on draft after the repeal of prohibition in 1933.

From Rick Ulrich: My aunt and uncle, Mabel and Dick Pritchard bought the Whiz Bang in 1941 and ran it all during the War for about 10 years before leasing it out. The property consisted of the 5 acres that surrounded the old place. There was a living quarters attached to the bar on the backside. It was a one bedroom with living room and kitchen. There was another one bedroom house about 100 feet behind the bar. There was a corrugated tin garage further behind the second house. There was also a horse corral next to the garage. As a kid, I remember when there were gas pumps in front of the place. The door on the left leads into a room where they once sold groceries. Sometime after the war they stopped selling groceries and turned the room into storage. lots of well known farmers in the East Valley stopped by the WB to wet their whistles on a hot Summer day back in the 40's, early 50's. There are stories out there about how wild and wooly the place was. It may have been wild and wooly during some time period, but I can vouch that it wasn't that way when my uncle was operating the place. In addition, to the rifle he kept in the storeroom he also kept a Colt revolver under the bar. He didn't put up with nonsense. I will admit that there were a few bullet holes in the ceiling that he put there when a couple of fellas got a little rowdy. A bar keeper had to be the law enforcer back then as it might take 3 days for a sheriff's deputy to show up if called.

Status

Not on view