The city of Prescott, Arizona has a rich history. Did you know that 100,000 people inhabited the Prescott area more than 9,000 years ago? These people were likely early ancestors of the Yavapai tribe, meaning "people of the sun," whose reservation now borders the city. Pre-historic Yavapai and Sinagua Indian artifacts can be found in ancient Indian Pueblos and mounds throughout the Verde Valley, in the nearby dwellings at Tuzigoot and Montezuma's Castle.
Spanish explorers, the U.S. Cavalry, Indian tribes, gold rush "49ers," silver miners, and homesteaders also left their influence on Prescott. In the mid-19th century, Prescott developed rapidly.
Many historians have called Charles D. Poston "the Father of Arizona" for his efforts toward creating the Arizona territory. He was an explorer and prospector in the territory, and in 1864 he wrote the following in a letter to a friend:
The granite mountains, covered with great pine forests, give grandeur and beauty to the country which I have not seen elsewhere. The atmosphere is the perfection of temperature, seldom varying from 75 during my visit. The water is pure, cool, and refreshing, and abounds in every direction.
Here, in what is considered a wilderness, a desert, or what you will, a thousand miles from anywhere...a number of people gather around...and commence the business of life with vigor and confidence which inspires the most inert and timid with a desire to accomplish something.
Nearly 150 years later, the grandeur and beauty remain.
Prescott, Arizona was founded in 1864 at the behest of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln in an effort to secure the area's mineral riches for the Union forces during the Civil War, the town was named for historian William Hickling Prescott by the settlers.
In 1865, Prescott carved a unique place among early communities in Arizona because it was reportedly built exclusively of wood and was inhabited almost entirely by Americans as a result of the nation's Westward expansion. As Arizona's Territorial Capital and county seat, the land use and general townscape character clearly evidenced the Midwestern and Eastern roots of the populace. The town plaza, with its courthouse surrounded by a park, reflects the influence of the larger American culture rather than that of the Southwest. Prescottonians may now refer to the center of town as the Plaza, but the design portrays a desire to keep Prescott American and unique among southwestern cities.
Prescott eventually lost its place as the state's legislative seat to Tucson and finally to Phoenix in 1889. A year later, a devastating fire burned the wood-constructed buildings of Prescott to the ground.
Prescott had always had a fire problem. In May of 1879, the Arizona Miner recommended that at least four deep wells be made as a means of saving the town should a fire break out in the wooden buildings on Montezuma Street. Nothing was done, however, and on July 4, 1883, fire destroyed most of Montezuma, and wells were finally dug on the four corners of the plaza, solely for fire purposes.
On Saturday night, July 14th, 1900, fire swept through downtown Prescott with uncontrollable fury, almost totally destroying the business district of the small mining town.
The fire began at the southwest corner of Goodwin and Montezuma, then quickly swept up Montezuma - a.k.a. "Whiskey Row." Building after building rapidly went down in flames that then moved across the street to burn and destroy all of Gurley before moving to Cortez. Most of North Cortez went down before the wind died down and the slowing flames were finally put out. Despite its four-hour and estimated $1.5 million rampage of destruction, everyone survived "The Great Fire of 1900" and Prescott was soon triumphantly rebuilt (all with brick or stone - no more wood!) and many of the buildings you see today are reminders of Prescott's past.
One hallmark of mid-20th Century Prescott is Fort Whipple. Originally a tactical base for the U.S. Cavalry and later the headquarters for the Arizona Volunteers (Rough Riders) in the previous century, Fort Whipple was converted to a tuberculosis sanatorium during WW I and was transferred to the Public Health Service in 1920 for continued use as a hospital for disabled Veterans. In the early 1930s, the facility was transferred to the newly created Veterans Administration as a general medical / surgical hospital. Today, the site retains it's early-to-mid Century style and architecture and is still locally referred to as Fort Whipple.
The "happy days" of the mid-20th Century still linger around Prescott. All one needs to do to "go back in time" is stroll around downtown, stop in at a converted soda fountain, attend a classic car show, or check out the resurrected 1950s-era Senator Drive-In sign out on Senator Highway and Summit Point Drive.
Great Views | Outdoor Fire Pit | BBQ Grill | Outdoor Patio or Porch | Home Theater | Full Kitchen | Washer/Dryer on SIte | Family-Friendly
Professionally Guided | Family-Friendly | Incredible Staff | Safe Environment | Beautiful Scenery | Individualized | Accommodating | Exceptional Experience | Covid-19 Precautions Taken
Pet-Friendly | Full Kitchen | BBQ Grill | Family-Friendly | Fenced Yard | Games, Toys & Entertainment | Private Living Rooms | Outdoor Fire Pit | Fireplace | Free WiFi | Outdoor Patio or Porch | Great Views
The Semi-Annual Clarkdale Gem and Mineral Show and Sale; Mingus Gem & Mineral Club, will be held at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse Auditorium, 19 N. Ninth Street in Clarkdale, Arizona on February 24th - 26th, 2023. On Friday and Saturday, the show will be open to the public from 9:00 AM u … More
The Semi-Annual Clarkdale Gem and Mineral Show and Sale; Mingus Gem & Mineral Club, will be held at the Clark Memorial Clubhouse Auditorium, 19 N. Ninth Street in Clarkdale, Arizona on February 24th - 26th, 2023. On Friday and Saturday, the show will be open to the public from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM, and on Sunday the show hours are from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM.
FREE ADMISSION; Dealers, wire-wrapping and geode-splitting demonstrations, agates, fossils, gems, beads, findings, cabochons, crystals, geodes, rock slabs, tumble-polished minerals, handcrafted jewelry, carvings and unique gift items; Kids' Corner offers free mineral specimens for children 12 and under; Kids can play the Spin-n-Win Wheel.
Get your mineral specimens ID'd while experiencing great family fun for everyone from youths to seniors!
Daily raffles will be held for a chance to win one of many beautiful prizes to be offered throughout the show. This is a fun and educational event the entire family will enjoy. Admission is free.
Sponsored by the Town of Clarkdale, www.clarkdale.az.gov Contact Information: For more information, please contact Bill Hedglin at billkarin3@q.com, (928) 634-0269 or Mike Kavanagh at kavanagh1368@yahoo.com, (928) 451-9193
Visit the club website for more info: www.mingusgem.clubFamily-Friendly
Lakeside Tours by Watson Lake on The Peavine and Iron King Trail! If you are looking for something fun to do in Prescott, you have come to the right place. Let our E-bikes take you on an adventure!
Some of Our Reviews:Lakeside Tours by Watson Lake on The Peavine and Iron King Trail! If you are looking for something fun to do in Prescott, you have come to the right place. Let our E-bikes take you on an adventure!
Some of Our Reviews:Self-Guided | Family-Friendly | Excellent Service | Scenic Ride
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of … More
Experience the wind ripping through your hair on a thrill ride over nature's wildest predators. Enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on a world-class zip line over Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde Arizona! We are conveniently located less than 20 miles from Sedona, in the heart of Northern Arizona's wine country, just minutes from tasting rooms and vineyards. From the top of the towers, you can see majestic red rocks, the San Francisco peaks, and the whole breathtaking Verde Valley including Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome. Come join us for a Zip Line adventure that you'll never forget! Ride the most exciting zip line ever devised, over Out of Africa and soar over Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Hyenas, Bears, Jaguars and other natural predators!
Join us at the Blazin’ M Ranch for an evening of western activities, dinner and an unforgettable show! The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western Themed Town located in Cottonwood, Arizona. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with f … More
Join us at the Blazin’ M Ranch for an evening of western activities, dinner and an unforgettable show! The Blazin’ M Ranch features an authentic Western Themed Town located in Cottonwood, Arizona. You’ll find fun family activities and the best chicken and ribs in Arizona, along with foil-wrapped potato, cowboy beans, our prickly pear coleslaw, flying biscuits and a delicious homemade dessert.
After dinner the Blazin’ M Cowboys entertain ya’ with their award-winning musical talents mixed with cowboy poetry and humor with a 1 hour show from 7:30pm - 8:30pm!
Family-Friendly | Dinner Included | Live Entertainment
Family-Friendly | Scenic Ride