How Speedway Blvd once earned the title of 'ugliest street in America'

Once called the ugliest street in the U.S. by Tucson Mayor Lew Davis, the moniker stuck when LIFE magazine published a famous photo of Speedway Blvd in 1970.

[@benwolf5264]

I like the old signs, they show a lot more character.

[@garcjr]

I get it they wanted to clean the street up. But we loose some character in the process. Today sure it looks less cluttered but it looks no different than any other boulevard in Arizona or the west coast.

[@benwolf5264]

@@garcjr Agreed

[@Junk65]

I remember cruising down speedway on my motorcycle back in the 1980's. Those were the days. I left in 87 then came back in 2021. Still a quiet place compared to other bigger cities. It doubled in size in the 34 years that i was gone. and still growing .

[@yolodancers]

It looks worse now. Like taking away Times Square ad's which would leave it bare.

[@arizonawrestlinginterviews1040]

Speedway is still unsightly to this day

[@seshansmith]

So because you misunderstood the article you made speedway boring

[@Pacer-uv1hy]

They took the signs down but gave us pot holes good job.

[@lurkingarachnid7475]

the homeless park on 22nd

[@gwesco]

I'm thinking this was a follow up to the Charles Schmidt story, AKA "the Pied Piper of Tucson". I came to Tucson in '64 and can remember cruising Speedway when it was only two lanes. It was just like the scenes in "American Graffiti with KTKT blasting music as the background. I miss the small town vibe. Tucson is just another big congested city full of people who just don't care.

[@Pacer-uv1hy]

He'll no it look cool back then the 70s were better then today.

[@BillLaBrie]

I don’t think it was as ugly as some others. Most cities that size had commercial dump streets like that back in the day.

[@Lzrdman91]

It looks worse now 😂. More concrete and less flavor it looks too sanitized

[@garypecoraro9293]

If anyone else remembers! That these where the only big streets? From 1959- 1962, south of Blackledge was nothing but desert! Fort low wasn't even paved! And Campbell plaza was just built.
I was 5yrs old 1959 and just moved to Tucson. Remember Tucson Train And Hobby...?

[@onenikkione]

should'a bought land

[@PrettyGoodLookin]

Character is VERY important to a city.

[@user-px8wk9tc5c]

Grant Road is the nations ugliest street from I,-10 TO SWAN ROAD.
IN TUCSON,AZ