Litchfield Park museum hosts lecture on West Valley development seen through photography

By Mary Goldmeer
Mail

The P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center will host an event at Goodyear City Hall, 1900 N Civic Square at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, to add background to its ongoing "Crossroads of Change" photography exhibit.

The exhibit, which opened in October 2024, features the black-and-white photography of local photojournalist Jim Painter, documenting the transformation of the West Valley during the 1980s and 1990s. It will remain on display through October 2025.

The event aims to illustrate the transformational years of 1985-1995 in the Southwest Valley through Painter's work and the exhibit.

Painter served as a news editor of the Sun City Daily News-Sun. His work captures large moments in the region’s evolution, including the sale of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s farmland and the completion of Interstate 10, which helped reshape the area's economy and infrastructure.

The exhibit is divided into sections that explore the region’s agricultural history, the rise of major institutions like Luke Air Force Base and Phoenix Raceway, and the vibrant community life of the time. Candid images of local festivals, rodeos, and pageants are featured, illustrating the everyday experiences of residents during a period of change.

The event is free and open to the public.

Visit pwlhc.org for more information about the event and exhibit.