This exhibit transports visitors back to 1985-1995, a pivotal era in the West Valley’s history, capturing a decade of transformation through the lens of local photojournalist Jim Painter. The main catalysts for the region’s dramatic changes during this era were the sale of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s vast farmland holdings to SunCor Development Co., and the completion of Interstate 10. This period marks the Southwest Valley’s evolution from agricultural roots to a burgeoning hub of development and urbanization.

Each section of the exhibit focuses on a different aspect of this transformation. The first showcases the days when agriculture was the backbone of the West Valley’s economy and gives a nod to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.’s cotton-growing legacy.

Another section touches on the major economic engines of the region such as Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix Raceway, and the Phoenix-Goodyear Airport.

The heart of the exhibit delves into the daily lives of the West Valley’s residents during this decade of change. Candid shots of local festivals, rodeos, and pageants paint a vivid picture of a community at the crossroads of tradition and progress.

The photos not only document a significant chapter in the West Valley’s history but also celebrate the spirit of a community navigating the challenges and opportunities of transformation.