PUBLIC ART - "Points In Time"
About "Points in Time"
Artist: Joseph O'Connell and Creative Machines, 2025
The Inspiration Behind the Art
Take a journey through Marana’s rich history with Points in Time, a public art experience that honors the moments that have shaped Marana. Each point along this wall represents a unique era and story that shaped the identity of Marana from ancient civilizations to the thriving community it is today.
Point 1: First Residents Arrive in Season
The people who lived in Marana around 1200 BC were among the first farmers and first villagers of the American Southwest. Resourceful and resilient, these early farmers engineered complex irrigation systems to support village life in the desert. These early residents developed techniques that laid the foundation for agriculture in the region.
Framed by Sombrero Peak and the Santa Cruz River, this point draws on the beauty of the Marana landscapes. The Los Morteros archaeological site also deeply influenced the design, reflecting the innovations of the Hohokam.
[Sombrero Peak & Los Morteros]
Point 2: Hohokam Community
For nearly 1,000 years, the Hohokam thrived along the Santa Cruz River, developing intricate canal systems to support large, vibrant communities. Their society flourished until around 1450 AD, leaving behind a cultural legacy that continues to inspire.
[Hohokam Village by Robert Ciaccio]
Point 3: Juan Bautista De Anza Expedition 1775
In 1975, more than 240 settlers journeyed from Mexico to California, passing through what is now Marana. Following the Santa Cruz River, the expedition camped near today’s El Rio Preserve. This journey is now memorialized as the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail.
[Juan Bautista De Anza by Bill Singleton]
Point 4: US Postal Service 1858 | Southern Pacific Train 1880
The Butterfield Stagecoach route was established through Marana along what is now Silverbell Road, laying early foundations for modern transportation corridors. Just over two decades later in 1880, the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad marked a new era of expansion and economic opportunity.
Inspired by the stagecoaches that once traveled Silverbell Road and the Southern Pacific Railroad, this point reflects the pulse of progress that carried news, goods, and people across the Southwest.
Point 5: Farming Grows in Marana Early 1900’s
In the early 1900’s Marana became an agricultural center. Land Developer Edwin Post sold land to new farmers, sparking a wave of cultivation that transformed the landscape.
Rooted in the land and shaped by farmers, this point honors the spirit of agriculture that has defined Marana for generations.
Point 6: Marana Gets a Name 1920’s
During the early 1920’s the local post office was called “Postvale” after developer Edwin Post. In 1925, the post office reverted to the area’s previous name, “Marana.”
Point 7: Marana Cotton Gin 1928
When World War I created a need for cotton in the manufacture of cord, airplane fabric, and other war-related materials, Marana reinvigorated its agricultural roots and began growing more cotton and other crops.
Wheat, barley, alfalfa, garden produce, and citrus have been cultivated in Marana, but the majority of Marana’s agricultural fields have always been devoted to cotton, which farmers called “desert snow.”
[Marana Cotton Gin & Cotton Bales]
Point 8: The Rise of Ranching 1930’s
Early ranchers in Marana used few fences. Land was regarded as “open range,” and ranchers ran cattle from Red Rock to Oro Valley, cattle that undoubtedly ranged into the Tortolitas. Later, in the 1930’s, several Anglo families took advantage of the revised “Homestead Act” of 1862 to start their own ranching operations.
Set against the scenic Tortolita Mountains, this point celebrates the ranching lifestyle that is still found in Marana.
[Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains]
Point 9: Agricultural Advancements
As techniques evolved, Marana's farmers embraced new tools to increase yield and efficiency. Agriculture remains a vital part of the town’s economy and character today.
This point highlights the enduring role of innovation in Marana’s fields where tradition meets technology to sustain the land.
[Farming and Flying in Marana]
Point 10: Marana Air Training Base 1942
As a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Marana Army Air Field opened in 1942. Over the course of World War II, over 10,000 pilots were trained at the Air Field. Today the site continues as Pinal Air Park.
[AT-6 & Marana Air Base]
Point 11: Cowboy Lifestyle 1950’s
Marana’s open spaces and Western spirit caught Hollywood’s eye. Films like The Last Outpost, The Lone Ranger, and Backlash were filmed here, preserving the cowboy lifestyle on screen and in memory.
[Actor D.C. Warren and "Spirit of Marana" public art located on Marana Main Street]
Point 12: Town of Marana Incorporation 1977
Driven by a shared vision to secure control over water resources, the citizens of Marana came together to incorporate as an official town on March 21, 1977. At the time, Marana’s boundaries spanned just 10 square miles, with a population of a little over 1,500 residents. This pivotal moment laid the groundwork for a resilient, growing community determined to shape its own destiny.
The flowing river in this piece symbolizes water, not only as a vital necessity, but as the unifying force that brought residents together and inspired Marana’s founding. The Town Hall depicted in the artwork is a replica of the original 1978 building, once the Honea Homestead.
[Old Town Hall Building]
Point 13: Marana Today
With a population now exceeding 60,000, Marana has grown into a vibrant community that blends progress with a deep respect to its roots. With a strong focus on quality of life, the town fosters a welcoming environment where families thrive, businesses flourish, and community spirit continues to grow.
This point celebrates the active, outdoor lifestyle that defines Marana today. From scenic parks and recreational spaces to hiking trails and cycling routes, the artwork reflects the town’s connection to the outdoors and the strong sense of community.
[Community fun at the Star Spangled Spectacular Fourth of July event]
Location
13455 N Marana Main Street, Marana, AZ 85653 View Map
32.450407,-111.213136
13455 N Marana Main Street ,
Marana, AZ 85653
13455 N Marana Main Street ,
Marana, AZ 85653
PUBLIC ART - "Points In Time"