Marana, AZ History

Marana appeared on the map in 1881, when the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived. The name Marana comes from the Spanish word for “jungle” or “impassable tangle.” This was because railroad workers had to chop their way through the mesquite brush and catclaw to make way for the line.

Picacho Peak State Park is 15 miles to the north. Picacho Peak was an early landmark for those traveling the desert and the site of Arizona ’s only Civil War battle.

In 1920, Edwin R. Post arrived with a plan to develop the area. He drilled water wells into the desert floor and began pumping. The water was used to create an extensive irrigation canal system. As a result, the town boomed from 1920 to 1924 with cotton farming and for a short time, the town was called Postvale.

Construction of the Marana Army Air Field began in 1942, just north of town. The base was used as an air transport basic training school. Today, it is used as a storage place for civilian planes. The city is famous for Marana air park (Evergreen Air), where many commercial airlines send their airplanes for storage.

Marana, Arizona – Preferred by Senior Tourists and Retirees

Today, Marana, AZ has a variety of home developments. However, agriculture still plays a part in the town’s economy. The University of Arizona has established an agricultural center at Marana. Tourism also plays a part in the community.