That’s Our Mill Avenue Story. What’s Yours?
We don’t need some fancy association to tell us Mill Avenue is one of America’s 10 Great Streets for 2008. And we’re sure you all have plenty of special memories of this venerable thoroughfare too. Share your Mill Avenue story in the comments below!
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We don’t need any convincing that Mill Avenue is one of the finest thoroughfares in America. But if you’re on the fence on this pressing matter, the American Planning Association yesterday named Mill one of it’s 10 Great Streets for 2008.
The award recognizes streets possessing character and highlighting the role city planners play in creating community. As far as we know, Mill’s selection has nothing to do with the fact that three of Tempe’s top five watering holes call it home
Quoth Tempe mayor Hugh Hallman: “Mill Avenue is a picturesque reminder of Tempe’s rich history and an indicator of our innovative planning. Our historic buildings are a vital part of our community, as are the more that $2 billion in high-rise mixed-use projects currently in the works. Tempe is leading the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area in quality urban development with Mill Avenue as its functional and symbolical heart.” (Watch his interview with ABC 15 below.)
So many memories flood forth as we stop and think of Mill Avenue—from drowning our sorrows at Mill Cue Club after the Louisiana State loss to watching the legendary upset of Oregon at McDuffy’s to giving Brent Miller (wearing a dress in honor of Halloween) a high five the day after he scored the game-winner in OT against Washington.
Aside from ASU athletics, we can’t count the number of bands we’ve seen, the number of special events we’ve attended, and the number of great times we’ve had on Mill. Reminisce with us in the comments below.
What’s Your Take, Sun Devils?
Share your favorite Mill Avenue memory whether it’s sports-related or not in the comments below.
Enjoy this article? Buy us a beer for just $4. (Credit Card / Paypal)New to Echo from the Buttes? Don’t miss:
Our unveiling of the Wildcats’ silly new billboards.
Our assessment of Omar Bolden’s struggles.
Our lively debate on Tempe’s top five bars.
Our reminiscence on our favorite NFL Sun Devils.
By the way, if someone doesn’t tell us that they personally rode a goalpost down Mill after the upset of Nebraska, then I will be sorely disappointed!
My love and appreciation for Mill began when I first moved down to Tempe to live in the dorms at ASU. I used to work at the Gap when it was located on Mill and I would frequent Mill’s End Coffee Shop in between classes.
I still live/work in the area and visit Mill all the time. Though nothing illustrates how Mill is “Tempe’s living room,” like the mayor was saying in the video, then when the Diamondbacks won the World Series.
I was a freshman living in the dorms and it was a Sunday night. Everyone was going crazy and we all decided to go to Mill. I thought that was strange because I thought the place to be would be in downtown Phoenix. But Mill was insane! Everyone that lived in the area had come down to Mill and were going crazy. People were in the middle of the street and cars couldn’t get through. They eventually closed it off like they do on New Years. We just walked along and celebrated with everyone else. When I think about how great Mill is, I always think about that night.
Man I really miss McDuffy’s — especially during this time of year w/ Devil football and the MLB Playoffs.. the atmosphere was great and the beers always cold, couldn’t help but ditch class for a dozen wings. Now its only but an office for shady and Canadian, Avenue Communities, what a waste.
I did help carry a goalpost over to Mill after the Nebraska game, although I rode to the game with my dad and figured he wasn’t going to be up for helping toss them into the (then empty) Salt River bed so I didn’t get to partake in all the festivities.
Many of my Mill memories actually come from high school, when me and my friends would go gawk at the hot college girls. Hmmm, actually come to think of it, I still do that even though I’m happily off the market the market…I guess some things never change!
I’m not sure “the family room” is right on. Not a lot about Mill says “family” to be honest. Perhaps it should be called the basement. You know, the place where we all hid out to get drunk and make out with people.
Los, McDuffy’s was a great spot. For those of us who still live near ASU, it’s really too bad that no one has filled that void. The Tavern is a decent game-watching spot, but it’s just not the same. Alack and alas. Progress, huh?
Mill Avenue hasn’t been a “great street” in at least 20 years. I don’t live in Tempe any longer but every time I am back there is yet another chain that I can find in any city in the country – yawn! Circus – gone. Long Wongs – gone. 6 East – gone. Etc. Etc.
And if I had a nickel for every guy who claims he rode the goal post down to Mill Avenue … and then dropped it off the Mill Avenue bridge (or took it back into the stadium and carried up to the top and threw it over; or left it in the middle of Mill Avenue; or all the other false stories floating around).
I carried it (not rode it) out of the stadium and down to Mill Avenue. Nobody rode the goal post. It was way too heavy and there is no way that anyone could have hung on with all the gostling and the massive crowd. I even have proof as the Fox News story after the game has great video of me carrying the goal post (and nobody was riding it). When my parents saw me on the news they called the station the following Monday and got the story for me as a present. I also have one of the pieces that ASU sold.
Great history lesson David. It’s always reassuring to remember that there have been good times before and may some day be again. Thanks for sharing!
Hey, saw the reference to Mill Ave and the wonderful little award we got! Also, for me, I don’t need any fancy peeps giving it an award for me to know that I love the place.
My story? I write them. Primarily about Mill Ave — hence the names of most of them. Not that I’m the imminent historian of the place or anything, I’ll leave that for someone more rooted to the place than I am. But, I grew up on the Ave.
It’s a place of scintillating interest, even in these twilight years. Perhaps with some better thought and more attention it’ll become the haven it once was again.
Hey, question for the last poster — I went to high school with a Kyt Dotson at Brophy Prep from 1990-1994. Is that you?
Ah yes, that is probably me. You can find me on Facebook, or if you want to contact me directly just sign up at the forum and send a PM to Kytsune (or simply drop an intro if you like the stories.) Click on my name here and it’ll lead there.
I hope that you like Mill Ave! It seems to be the one place I champion nowadays, even though it’s really beginning to fall out of favor.
I hope to see more stories appear here.
Here’s a little online documentary about Mill Ave
http://www.chrisvalentines.com/projects/mai.html
…the good, the bad and the ugly