Preserve Our History & Heritage: Save the Big Tin Cotton Gin!

By Bridgette Crosby / True Nature Media

Photo Credit: (C) Bridgette Crosby / True Nature Media 

qccottongin@truenature.media    ****PLEASE SEE RECENT UPDATE POSTED IN JAN 2026****

Local history matters. It tells the story of who we are, where we came from, and the hard work and innovation that built our community. Preserving historic landmarks like the Big Tin Cotton Gin isn’t just about saving an old building—it’s about protecting the spirit and heritage that define Queen Creek and the surrounding area.

The Big Tin Cotton Gin is a one-of-a-kind symbol of our farming history. For generations, it served families who cultivated this land and helped shape the town we know today. Now, it faces demolition to make way for yet another QT gas station. If we lose the Cotton Gin, we lose a vital link to our agricultural roots—a landmark that cannot be replaced.

This is the only building of its kind left in the area—and one of the most unique venues in the entire Southwest. Over the years, it has been more than a cotton gin: it ginned thousands, if not millions of tons of cotton for farmers, markets and households, it once housed circus elephants during the winter, served as a farmers market, a rodeo tack store, and even a tire shop. It is now a very unique place to get married, host a fundraiser or special event. Its 70+ years of history deserve to be remembered and celebrated—not bulldozed.

Cotton has been the backbone of Queen Creek, Maricopa County, and Pinal County for over a century. Arizona is one of the few places in the world where premium Pima cotton (long-staple cotton) thrives. This crop built our local economy, provided jobs, and still contributes tens of thousands of tons of cotton each year to the state’s agricultural output.

Together, Maricopa and Pinal counties account for the vast majority of Arizona’s cotton production—with Pinal alone producing about 41% of the state’s crop. Cotton was—and still is—an industry that helped put Arizona on the map.

Preserving the Big Tin Cotton Gin honors that legacy while supporting the future. The building can continue to serve as an affordable venue for weddings, events, and community gatherings, or even be transformed into a visitor and tourism center where people can learn about cotton, farming, and our community’s growth.

Historic preservation isn’t just cultural—it’s economically smart. Restored landmarks attract visitors, boost property values, and create jobs. In 2024, Arizona tourism generated $29.7 billion in spending, supported nearly 194,000 jobs, and brought in $4.3 billion in tax revenue.

Heritage travelers stay longer, spend more, and strengthen local businesses like restaurants, hotels, and shops.

The wedding industry adds even more impact: with over 43,000 weddings in Arizona each year and average spending of $33,000 per wedding, the industry generates more than $1.4 billion annually. Imagine the Cotton Gin as a rustic, affordable venue—keeping dollars in our community while preserving heritage at the same time.

Queen Creek has a bold vision to become the “Agritainment Capital of the World.” How can that vision be complete without protecting the Big Tin Cotton Gin—a cornerstone of our agricultural history, tied to founding families like the Sossamans, Barneys, and Schnepfs? Just as Schnepf Farms, Hayden Flour Mills, and the Queen Creek Olive Mill have been preserved and celebrated, so too should the Big Tin Cotton Gin.

There are already plenty of gas stations. There is only one Big Tin Cotton Gin. Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.

In addition, tourism has become a significant economic driver in Pinal County. In 2024, tourism pumped millions into Pinal County’s economy, with state parks and historic sites drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. Their spending boosted restaurants by 8.4% and hotels by 1%, supporting local jobs, small businesses, and vital tax revenue.

As part of Arizona’s $20.7 billion tourism industry, Pinal’s share helps fund public safety, parks, and infrastructure—making tourism a steady engine of growth across the county.-local visitor spend around $24.3 million, supporting 301 local jobs and contributing a value-added economic impact of $14.7 million.

Queen Creek has earned national attention as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, reflecting its rapid development and increasing appeal to families and businesses alike. Just to the south, San Tan Valley stands as the largest urban community in Pinal County, with a booming population that continues to drive regional growth that is posed to become a city within the next year.

Historic preservation in fast-growing areas is vital to protect our communities' identity and heritage. As development accelerates, important landmarks and cultural sites risk being lost forever. Preserving them honors our past, supports local economies, and ensures future generations can connect with the stories that shaped our community.

We urge local leaders, developers, and community members to take action now. Saving the Cotton Gin means protecting our heritage, strengthening our identity, and creating opportunities for future generations. 

Your signature can make a real difference. By joining this effort, you help ensure that the legacy of the Big Tin Cotton Gin—and the cotton industry that shaped Maricopa and Pinal counties—continues to inspire Arizona’s future.

✍️ Please sign today to stop the demolition of the Big Tin Cotton Gin and protect this irreplaceable part of our history.

GOALS:

1.) Raise Public Awareness: Engage the community and visitors about the historical and cultural significance of the Big Tin Cotton Gin.

2.) Promote Legal Protection: Encourage the owners to place the gin under a conservation easement or other protective measures to prevent demolition.

3.) Foster Collaborative Planning: Inspire the Town of Queen Creek and Pinal County to explore creative, community-focused uses for the gin while working together to preserve local landmarks.

4.) Demonstrate Community Value: Show developers and decision-makers that the community deeply values its history, encouraging partnerships that honor heritage rather than erasing it.

5.) Encourage Broad Cooperation: Facilitate collaboration between community members, leaders, historical societies, and residents to find practical solutions that preserve history, art, and culture.

 

Did You Know?

• The Big Tin Cotton Gin is is over 70 years old and is located at 1572 W Ocotillo Road. It is within the annexed area of Queen Creek, but sits in Pinal County. 

 

• The property is approximately 7.33 acres. The sale of this property will impact and close 7 small, independent businesses currently operating on site. 

 

• A cotton gin is a machine that quickly separates cotton fibers from their seeds, a task that was once slow and labor-intensive by hand. Invented in 1793, it made cotton production much faster and more profitable, shaping both the textile industry and American history.

 

• By the 1950s, gins were large, mechanized, and powered by engines or electricity, capable of cleaning thousands of pounds of cotton daily.

 

• Arizona’s peak cotton production occurred in the early 1950s, with 1953 marking the highest recorded acreage at 695,000 acres. This boom was driven by high demand for long-staple cotton during and after World War II, supported by the state’s irrigation and climate.

 

• Cotton brought prosperity to Queen Creek, Maricopa, and Pinal counties for over a century, especially the valuable long-staple and Pima cotton known worldwide for its softness and strength.

 

• Today, Arizona’s cotton industry still generates $400–500 million annually and supports thousands of jobs.

 

• Pinal County remains the top cotton producer in the state, ranking in the top 1% of U.S. counties for cotton and cottonseed sales.

 

• Maricopa and Pinal counties together account for the majority of Arizona’s cotton output, with yields among the highest nationally.

 

• In 2024, Arizona's tourism industry achieved a new milestone, with visitors spending a record-breaking $29.7 billion statewide, averaging over $81 million daily. This robust economic activity underscores the vital role of historical and recreational attractions in sustaining local economies.

 

• Preserving these sites not only honors our heritage but also attracts tourists, supports thousands of jobs, and generates significant tax revenues that benefit communities across the state. Without intentional preservation efforts, we risk losing the very landmarks that define our identity and contribute to our economic vitality.

 

• The Town of Queen Creek's General Plan emphasizes conserving its agricultural heritage and integrating historical elements into its agritainment initiatives. For instance, the Queen Creek Olive Mill and Schnepf Farms are highlighted as agritainment destinations that celebrate the community's history and heritage.

 

• Pinal County, Arizona, is home to over 50 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including significant sites like the Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and the Randolph Townsite Historic District, the oldest predominantly African American community in the state.

• Arizona’s historic properties are increasingly endangered by growth, development, and limited preservation funding. Protecting them is essential to safeguard the state’s heritage and community identity.

 

****SPECIAL NOTE***Donations for this project are NOT being asked for. Neither I nor True Nature Media are responsible for any donations made to Change.org. The best way to support is by sharing—thank you!****