Our vision
At Gladden Farms, our vision is to create a diverse, vibrant and friendly community filled with everything that’s important to young professionals, families of all sizes, empty nesters and retirees. That includes attractively priced new homes, an award-winning school and acres of green spaces for residents of all ages to enjoy. In short, our vision is to create a cherished and inclusive live-work-play community.
The History
A rich & varied history
The history of Marana and the region is rich and varied dating back to approximately 1400 A.D., when the Hohokam Indians made the Sonoran Desert their home. In the 1600s, the region was colonized by Spanish missionaries and later became home to an influx of settlers from across the globe. The name “Marana,” which means “thicket,” appeared on railroad maps for the first time in 1890.
Marana historic milestones
Prehistory
550-850 A.D.
Hohokam culture begins, likely the ancestors of Tohono O’odham peoples.
1150-1300
Platform mounds appear as public ceremonial structures.
1450
Hohokam culture vanishes likely from the Great Drought (1276–1299).
Modern Times
1690
Apaches from the northeast and the Spanish from the south enter the area.
1691
Father Eusebio Francisco Kino founds a string of Jesuit missions including San Xavier del Bac.
1775
Juan Bautista de Anza leads an expedition through area to eventually found San Francisco.
1776
The Spanish establish the Presidio of Tucson.
1810
War breaks out between Spain and Mexico.
1821
The Republic of Mexico is established.
1849
Some 10,000 “49ers” pass through on their way to the California gold fields.
1854
Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach station established.
Parts of New Mexico and southern Arizona are annexed into the U.S. (Gadsden Purchase).
1862
The western most battle of the Civil War was won by Union Soldiers at Picacho Pass.
1863
Arizona becomes a territory of the United States.
1865
High grade copper ore is mined in the Silverbell Mountains.
1878
Bojórquez Ranch is established.
1880
The Southern Pacific Railroad arrives in Marana.
Yaqui native peoples move into the area.
1882
Tohono O’odham Nation established.
1886
War with the Apache ends.
1890
The name “Marana” appears on railroad maps, Spanish for “dense brush.”
1904
Silverbell Copper Mine opens.
1909
Construction begins on the Greene canal, dam and reservoir.
1912
Arizona becomes the 48th state on Feb. 14, 1912.
1919
Area shifts from ranching to agricultural economy.
1942
The Marana Airfield becomes one of the country’s largest pilot training centers.
1949
Arizona Portland Cement Company’s Twin Peaks mine opens.
1961
Historic business district, Mercantile, is demolished to make way for I-10.
1977
Marana is incorporated encompassing 10 square miles and 1,500 residents.
1979
Marana begins an aggressive annexation and growth strategy.
2003
Town of Marana named one of America’s “Best Managed Small Cities.”
2005
The 20-acre Marana Municipal Complex is dedicated with the town hall as its centerpiece.
2005
The 20-acre Marana Municipal Complex is dedicated with the town hall as its centerpiece.
Today
Marana is largest farming community in middle Santa Cruz River Valley.
Committed to excellence
Crown West Land Group develops and manages residential master-planned communities serving the U.S. homebuilding industry, and currently has active projects throughout the Tucson, Phoenix, Reno and Las Vegas metropolitan areas.
Crown West Land Group is one of the divisions of Crown West Realty, LLC, a privately-owned real assest investment, development and management company with offices in New York, Tucson, Phoenix, Denver and Spokane, Washington.
Formed in 1996, it is the operating subsidiary of New York Investment firm Petrus Partners Ltd.
The other divisions are the Crown West Commercial Group, which controls a multi-market U.S. portfolio of office, flex, warehouse and manufacturing properties-more than 70 buildings and 9 million square feet in aggregate; and the Crown West Farm Group, which manages both irrigation and dry land farmland located in the U.S. and leased to tenant farmers.
Crown West is experienced in the acquisition, development, management, design, construction and marketing of major investment properties throughout these real estate assest classes.
Crown West’s commitment to excellence ensures that Gladden Farms will be a place to treasure today and for years to come.
For more information on Petrus Partners and Crown West, please visit www.petruspartners.com and www.crownwest.com.
