Public Art Project at Queen Creek Marketplace
As part of the public art project Queen Creek Marketplace will boast three major art pieces. “We are proud to present three works of art that honor the city’s history, heritage and community,” said Vestar Development Co.’s Project Manager, Ryan Desmond.
The first is a relief of a railroad car, inspired by the preferred mode of transportation nearly 80 years ago. Referred to as the Dinky or Doodle Bug, this early version of the commuter train was once part of the daily life for Queen Creek residents. It made daily runs to-and-from Phoenix along Rittenhouse Road where Queen Creek Marketplace now stands.
The second art piece is a sculpture of a famous Queen Creek resident, Mansel Carter (1902-1987). Carter made his home on Goldmine Mountain, where he had filed mining claims for 40 years. Over the years, he became a genuine celebrity, welcoming visitors from all over the world.
Finally, in front of Paradise Bakery and Chipotle Fresh Mexican Grill stands a bronze Pecan Tree, honoring Queen Creek’s agricultural roots. The fertile valley below the San Tan Mountains offered a safe haven for the early Indian communities and the homesteaders who farmed and ranched along Queen Creek Wash. Citrus, cotton, pecans, vegetables, and other crops still provide for area families, and was a fitting addition to Queen Creek Marketplace.
July 21, 2008