Paradise Valley
AA-2026-3411AF
On the image
In the 1970s, people decided that mountains were better appreciated when viewed from a perfectly manicured lawn, regardless of the local climate. This involved a significant investment in imported greenery and, presumably, a complex system to defy the desert's natural water conservation efforts. Such projects were considered advancements in lifestyle.
A small, nondescript building clings to the barren mountainside, a testament to the era's belief that every available surface should be colonised. Developers positioned these dwellings for "exclusive views," which typically meant a difficult commute to anywhere else and ongoing negotiations with local wildlife. The residents agreed this was worth it.
The entire scene, with its vibrant green against the stark rock and brilliant blue sky, represents a confident declaration against nature. It's a precisely engineered environment where the outside elements were acknowledged primarily as a backdrop for human comfort. This approach was widely adopted, and only later questioned.
The historian's note
This image depicts Mummy Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona, likely viewed from one of the area's many golf courses or luxury resorts.
The 1970s saw rapid expansion and development in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Paradise Valley, as it became a popular destination for tourism and affluent residential communities. The creation of large, irrigated green spaces in desert environments was a hallmark of this period.
This trend in leisure and real estate development in the American Southwest brought significant economic growth, but also initiated long-term discussions regarding sustainable water management and environmental impact in arid regions.
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Visually related — by likeness
Mummy Mountain Vista, Paradise Valley, Arizona, 1970s. 1970–1979. Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library, AA-2026-3411AF. https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/mummy-mountain-vista-paradise-valley-arizona-1970s.
@misc{aaAA20263411AF,
title = {Mummy Mountain Vista, Paradise Valley, Arizona, 1970s},
year = {1970–1979},
howpublished = {Archive \& Atlas, Historical Image Library},
note = {Accession AA-2026-3411AF},
url = {https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/mummy-mountain-vista-paradise-valley-arizona-1970s}
}TY - ART TI - Mummy Mountain Vista, Paradise Valley, Arizona, 1970s PY - 1970–1979 PB - Archive & Atlas, Historical Image Library AN - AA-2026-3411AF UR - https://thearchive.archiveandatlas.com/library/mummy-mountain-vista-paradise-valley-arizona-1970s ER -
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