Filed Under Apache Boulevard

Midway Trailer Park

Travel trailers first appeared in the United States in the 1920s as American “tin can tourists” ventured onto the developing highway network to see the nation. Written works such as Trailer Ahoy! by Charles Nash and Touring with Tent and Trailer by Winfield Kimball and Maurice Decker, both released in 1937, further popularized trailer travel. Following World War II, travel trailers and pop-up trailers became recreational vehicles as a growing number of trailer parks opened to serve these travelers. In the 1950s the Tempe-Mesa Highway had more than twenty trailer parks open, including the Desert Sunset, the Iazona, and Imp’s. The trailer courts often had supporting service and sales centers.

Trailer parks along Apache thrived through the 1970s and into the 1980s, even as the Interstate Highway system supplanted Highways 60, 70, 80, and 89. With the expansion of the region’s population East toward the Superstitions and the decline of tourist traffic, trailer parks struggled to survive. Today only the Apache Palms and Midway Trailer Parks remain on Apache Boulevard.

Images

Midway Trailer Park
Midway Trailer Park The Midway Trailer Park was located at 2059 East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Arizona. The park included a variety of signs that advertised overnight stays and trailer and space for rent. Source: Tempe History Museum, 1992.2.524 Creator: City of Tempe Community Development Department Date: May 17, 1973
The Modernette
The Modernette The Modernette Court Trailer & Apartments was located at 1707 East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Arizona. It included overnight space and apartments, and it also rented out and sold furnished mobile homes for adults only. Source: Tempe History Museum, 1992.2.215 Creator: City of Tempe Community Development Department Date: October 24, 1979
Dearborn Trailers
Dearborn Trailers The Dearborn Motel/Travel Trailer Park was located at 2067 East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Arizona. Its outdoor sign would advertise how many spaces were available in the park. Source: Tempe History Museum, 1992.2.532 Creator: City of Tempe Community Development Department Date: February 23, 1978
Midway Trailer Park
Midway Trailer Park Midway Trailer Park was located at 2057 East Apache Boulevard in Tempe, Arizona. Midway advertised its vacancy status and office with its large "Midway Trailer Park" sign and also encouraged overnight stays. Source: Tempe History Museum, 1998.15.35 Creator: City of Tempe Community Development Department Date: June 10, 1981
Midway Trailer Park Exterior Sign
Midway Trailer Park Exterior Sign The Midway Trailer Park utilized multiple signs to advertise its business. Midway was one of the longer lasting trailer parks to exist on Apache Boulevard. Source: Tempe History Museum, 2000.15.543 Creator: City of Tempe Development Services Department - Planning Division Date: September 20, 1991

Location

Metadata

Michael Nguyen, “Midway Trailer Park,” Salt River Stories, accessed October 3, 2024, https://saltriverstories.org/items/show/262.