PHX Perspective

Travelers Join Employees in Celebrating Sky Harbor’s 75th

Hundreds of travelers passing through Sky Harbor on Thursday, October 7 joined the party as Sky Harbor celebrated its 75th Anniversary.   More than a dozen cakes were served to passengers and employees in all three terminals throughout the day.

The biggest party was in Terminal 3, which was transformed with balloons and music as current and past employees as well as City leaders and onlookers gathered to celebrate the city of Phoenix purchase of Sky Harbor back in 1935.

Aviation Director Danny Murphy welcomed everyone to the event and briefly talked about Sky Harbor’s history from its purchase for the modest sum of $100,000 to where it is today – one of the busiest, most conveniently located and friendliest airports in the country.

Murphy then invited Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon as well as attending Councilmen Bill Gates and Claude Mattox as well as Councilwoman Peggy Neely to say a few words about Phoenix Sky Harbor and its 75th Anniversary.  All echoed how important Sky Harbor is to the community and the dedication by employees to making it a high caliber and very customer-focused facility.

Murphy along with Mayor Gordon, Gates, Mattox, Neely, City Manager David Cavazos, former Mayor John Driggs and Deputy City Manager David Krietor sliced into a large cake shaped like an airplane. Attendees then enjoyed cake as well as samples provided by Starbucks and Paradise Bakery. 

While reminiscing about Sky Harbor’s earlier years, attendees also took a look at the new Terminal 3 museum exhibition, “75 Years of Nonstop Service.” This exhibition highlights the development of Sky Harbor over time.  Visitors can see memorabilia and watch videos about Sky Harbor’s construction progress, air traffic control towers, the PHX Sky Train™ and memories from Sky Harbor’s past and present employees. The exhibition will be on display until March 2011 and is located in both the North and South alcoves of Level 2 in Terminal 3, pre-security.

And, if you haven’t seen the special commemorative section on the website celebrating Sky Harbor’s first 75 years, click here

Above and to the right see pictures and video from the exciting 75th Anniversary events.

First posted: 10/8/2010