100 South Mill Avenue

I was setting up a membership here on WordPress to enable me to post over to the Arizona Chain Reaction blog, and it was convenient at the time to establish my own blog…but I had no specific agenda, aim or theme in mind. So I opted for geography; specifically, the street address that has defined my life.

It was not always 100 S. Mill Avenue, though. When I was growing up it was 3 West First Street. That was also back when local phone numbers hereabouts began with two-letter exchanges. Ours was PL, for “Plaza.”

 In 1998 when America West–now US Airways–finished their new headquarters and the City realigned Rio Salado Parkway adjacent to us along the path of the former 1st Street we asked to be redesignated “1 West Rio Salado Parkway.” After all, isn’t it better to be number one than number three? Or so it seemed. However, it seems that the name of Rio Salado Parkway just hasn’t seeped into the popular consciousness to the degree we had hoped and expected. Given the opportunity, we opted to become 100 South Mill Avenue. Everyone knows Mill Avenue.

I was born at the old Tempe Community Hospital on Mill. I attended Tempe High School next door and did my undergratuate work at ASU. This street really has been the axis of my life, for which I am grateful. It is fitting that my blog will emanate from “100 South Mill Avenue” in spirit, even if I may be posting from some other physical location.

So…three addresses in my lifetime, but one unchanging location. The old Hayden House has worn many masks. As Tempe’s founding pioneer hme, it has endured astonishing changes, and I am sure that what is yet to come, even in a few years, will make all of the preceeding Tempe history appear to be a prelude.

I will be posting whenevr I have something to say. If you have any thoughts to share, and you have found this blog, feel free to email me at this address “mmonti”atmontisdotcom  (get it?) You can also call me at work, 480-867-7594 and ask for my voicemail box.