Ranching, Farming, & Western Heritage

From ancient times all the way up to the present, Marana has been a hotbed for agricultural activity.

Agriculture has been present and a key part of daily life and culture in what is now Marana for thousands of years. There is evidence of irrigation canals dating back 3,200 years in present-day Marana.

The Santa Cruz has been the lifeblood of agriculture in the region for millennia. The Hohokam used irrigation canals to supply their villages in the river’s floodplain. Higher in the foothills of the Tortolita Mountains, they used rudimentary dams and channels to utilize the water flowing off the mountains towards the Santa Cruz.

Modern agriculture took off in Marana in the early 1920’s, about 50 years before the Town of Marana was incorporated. Cotton and wheat grow very well in the Sonoran Desert, and formed the basis for the modern farms and ranches that make up northwestern Marana.

Although Marana is now a modern, rapidly-developing community, agriculture remains an important industry and a big part of our community’s identity and spirit.

Western Movies

Marana’s ranching heritage, vast desert expanses, and scenic backdrops have made it an ideal setting for many Western movies throughout the years. There are several ways you can get up close and personal with Marana’s western film history!

Old Tucson

Step back into time at Old Tucson, a movie studio and theme park that showcases the history and culture of the American West. It was founded in the 1950’s, reusing the set pieces from the film Arizona that were left behind in the desert. Since then, it has been the filming location for over 400 productions, including classics westerns Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, The High Chapparal, and Tombstone.

It continues to be used as a film set and a family theme park, where you can walk the same streets made famous by classic western movies and actors, while enjoying stunt shows, musicals, vintage rides, and more.

CreditOld Tucson

The White Stallion Ranch

The White Stallion Ranch is world-renowned for its blending of the personal touch and hospitality of a luxurious five-star resort, with the true western experience and setting of a traditional dude ranch. The backdrop of the rugged Tucson Mountains, the secluded setting among unspoiled desert and towering saguaros, and authentic cowboy experience keeps visitors from all around the world coming back time and time again.

The ranch’s backdrop of the rugged and iconic Tucson Mountains and desert setting have made it a sought-after filming location for Western movies. Over 100 classic cowboy movies and many TV series were filmed there, and it even remains a popular filming location today. In 2024, the ranch and the surrounding area was the setting of the music video for country superstar Lainey Wilson’s song “Wildflowers and Wild Horses”.

CreditWhite Stallion Ranch

A Spooky Wild West Tale from Early Marana

In 1878, the historic Butterfield Stagecoach Route ran through what is now Marana, including a stop near Los Morteros and the El Rio Preserve. At the time, the culture of the "Wild West" was still prominent in the Arizona Territory, with outlaws, lawmen, and cowboys. One of the most infamous outlaws of the day was William Brazelton, better known as "Brazen Bill".

He robbed stagecoaches in several towns in the Southwest, including what is now Marana, in addition to Silver City, New Mexico, Tucson, and Prescott, Arizona. He was eventually tracked down and ambushed by the Pima County Sherriff's Department on August 22, 1878. Legends say that Brazen Bill buried a stash of treasure in a cave somewhere near Marana.

Watch this video, produced by the Town of Marana, to learn more about the story of William "Brazen Bill" Brazelton!

Marana Is A Great Place to Celebrate Fall

The abundance of wheat, cotton, and other crops in Marana’s fields give it a down-home feeling in the fall, which may give you the illusion that you’re in the Midwest, instead of Arizona. Marana is a great place to celebrate the harvest season and everything that goes along with it, complete with an authentic look and feel.

Fall Festivals, Events, and Oktoberfest Celebrations

For families, Marana is home to an expansive pumpkin patch that’s sure to make for a whole day of fun. There are also several fun outdoor events and festivals throughout the fall, including several Oktoberfest celebrations at local bars and restaurants where you can sip craft beer and enjoy a bratwurst. There’s also the Marana Fall Festival, with carnival rides, games, food trucks, rodeo demonstrations, and the always-popular Mutton Bustin’ competition!

PicturedThe Mutton Bustin' Competition and Carnival Rides at the Marana Fall Festival.
CreditMarana Parks & Recreation

For those looking for a true scare, Marana is home to the scariest attraction in all of Southern Arizona, Terror in the Corn! It features several haunts and games inside a fully-immersive corn maze. Or, you can head to Old Tucson for Nightfall, with mazes, stunt shows, a musical, and four scare zones, which are equal parts hilarious and terrifying. It all takes place in a wild west setting.

CreditTerror in the Corn

Marana is Horse Country

Take in Marana’s western heritage just like the cowboys of old did, on horseback! It’s a unique and authentically Southwestern experience. Marana has many ways to experience the desert on horseback, whether you’re a seasoned rider, or just starting out.

Ingredients Grown In Marana

The cotton and wheat grown in Marana are used to supply breweries, bakeries, and clothiers both in Arizona and around the world.

For example, the Sonoran White Wheat grown at BKW Farms is used by local breweries both in Marana and around the Tucson area, including Button Brew House and Catalina Brewing Company. It also is the main ingredient in Barrio Bread, an artisan baker that is a staple of the Tucson community. But perhaps the most interesting use for Sonoran White Wheat is that it is preferred by several Italian pasta-makers, so it is shipped to Italy to be turned into delicious pasta. You can taste pasta from Marana-grown wheat at local restaurant Dominick’s Real Italian!