Prescott's Old West Heritage
FOR RELEASE
CONTACT:
Susan Schepman
(928) 708-9336
sschepman@cableone.net
Prescott, AZ - A town for all seasons - Just 90-miles north of Phoenix, nestled in the one of the nation's largest contiguous forests of Ponderosa Pines, is Prescott Arizona. The Prescott Area is rich with history and offers many diversions for the traveler.
Prescott began as a mining town with the discovery of gold. In 1864 Arizona became a territory and Prescott was selected to be the capital. It held the title until 1889 when Tucson was awarded the distinction. Although the designation of State Capital now belongs to Phoenix, Prescott is still the seat of government for Yavapai County, and a gateway to much of the state.
Historic Sights - The past is present today:
Many of the old buildings such as the Yavapai County Courthouse, the Palace - Arizona's oldest restaurant and saloon, and the first Territorial Governor's Mansion have been preserved with great care. Beautifully restored Victorian homes with carefully manicured lawns line quiet, shaded streets, and are among the more than 500 buildings on the National Historic Register. Prescott's rich past can be explored today along historic Whiskey Row. Once home to over 26 saloons, much of it has been transformed into a thriving shopping district.
Area back roads also provide a nostalgic trip back in time. The Highway 89-loop drive from Prescott to Sedona via Highway 89-A has been voted by Fodor's, as one of America's most scenic drives. On the way you will pass through the historic mining (they also report ghosts) town of Jerome, the turnoff to Montezuma's Well and to the Tuzigoot National Monument.
Along Hwy. 89, heading toward Chino Valley, you will also see some other historic and interesting sites such as Del Rio Springs, the first site of Ft. Whipple; Sullivan Lake just off of old Hwy. 89 is the site of the dam built in 1938 to keep back the Chino wash. If you like off-road adventures, visit Limestone Canyon off Hwy. 89 near milepost 344, or Cedar Glades Cemetery, which is all that remains of the community of Puntenney. Drake, AZ is another historic stop off Hwy. 89 on Perkinsville Rd. It was a major stop for the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad. Also along Perkinsville Rd. is Jerome Junction, where the railroad from Jerome would stop to transfer its load of copper. Other interesting sites you might find along Prescott's back roads include abandoned mining sites and historic ranches.
Colorful Personalities of the Old West:
Viola Jimulla - 1965 - Viola Jimulla was Yavapai Tribal Chieftess from 1940 until 1966, and a noted artist among a people who are known for their fine basket making. The Yavapai lived across the western half of Central Arizona from near the Grand Canyon to the Salt River Valley. Sharlot Hall - about 1912 - Hall was the first woman to hold salaried office in Arizona Territory and served as territorial historian from September 1909 to February 1912. During her tenure, she visited prehistoric ruins and Indian Reservations and collected pioneer material throughout Arizona.
Grace Sparks
Aldo Leopold
Pauline Weaver
Kate Cory
Manual Isaro
Buckey O'Neill
Gail I. Gardner
Margaret McCormick
John McCormick
Charlie Genug
Virgil Earp
Wyatt Earp
Doc Holliday
Interesting Stories:
The Palace Bar first opened its doors in September 1877. Although Whiskey Row was known for its many saloons, The Palace was much more than a fancy "watering hole". Men came in to check for notices of work available; it served as an election central for several area political races and cattle spreads; and mineral claims were bought and sold over the bar. The Palace is still the oldest frontier saloon in Arizona and the most well-known and historic restaurant and saloon in the state.
In the late 1870's, Wyatt Earp, Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday were patrons of The Palace. Virgil and his wife Allie lived in Prescott where Virgil owned a saw mill at Thumb Butte and was Town Constable. Wyatt and his other brother, Morgan, visited Virgil in Prescott before they left for Tombstone. Doc was on a winning streak on Whiskey Row (possibly at The Palace) where he won $10,000 in Poker. He joined the Earp's eight months later in Tombstone.
On July 14th, 1900, The Palace was destroyed by the Whiskey Row fire. The ornately carved 1880's Brunswick Bar, which is still in use, was carried to safety across the street to the plaza by patrons. In order to rebuild, the owner Bob Brow formed a partnership with Ben M. Belcher and Barney Smith, owners of the former Cabinet Saloon, also destroyed in the fire. By 1901, The Palace Hotel and Bar, complete with Chinese restaurant and barber shop, was back in business. Today's Palace owners have done extensive remodeling to restore the Palace to its grandeur of 1901. Although still a frontier saloon, the addition of dining makes The Palace the gathering place it once was.
Interesting Facts:
- Doc Holliday's girlfriend, Big Nose Kate, died in Prescott in 1940, at the age of 90 and is buried here.
- Barry Goldwater was once quoted as saying, "My only regret is that I didn't buy The Palace when I had a chance."
- After the Whiskey Row fire is cost $50,000 to rebuild The Palace.
- The Ruffner Funeral Home was won in a poker game at The Palace.
- Little Egypt danced at The Palace in 1910.
- The movie Junior Bonner, starring Steve McQueen was filmed at The Palace in 1971.
- Billy Jack, starring Tom Laughlin, had a scene filmed at The Palace in 1971.
- The movie, Wanda Nevada, starring Peter Fonda and Brook Shields, shot scenes at The Palace.
Interesting Legends:Gallivanting ghosts aren't just limited to Halloween. Prescott has a few special haunted places that chill the spine and curl the hair year 'round. If you want to add an extra thrill to your stay, reserve a room at a local lodging establishment and dine around town if you dare!
- The Hotel Vendome reports that the ghost of Abbey and her pet cat roam the halls and scratch on doors.
- The Prescott Fine Arts Gallery and Performance Hall used to be Sacred Heart Church. Father Michael, who was buried beneath the altar, haunts the building. When the building was remodeled the grave was exhumed, but no body was found.
- Shortly after the Hassayampa Inn opened in 1927, a honeymoon pair checked in. The husband left to "go out for a pack of cigarettes." After several days, when he didn't return, his new bride Faith hung herself. Her presence is reputed to still haunt the Hotel.
Local Tour Operators & Tours:Melissa Ruffner's Prescott Historical Tours
P. O. Box 2577, Prescott, AZ 86302
928-445-4567
Melissa Ruffner and her family are part of Arizona's and Prescott's history. Beginning in 1867, they have contributed to Arizona History - from frontier Sheriff and Arizona's first inductee into the Cowboy Hall of Fame to the territory's first publc school music teacher. In 1981, long before "heritage tourism" became the catch phrase it is today, Melissa developed Prescott Historical Tours. This is no "canned" city tour!
Forests & Grasslands - A History of Living With The Land
A Central Arizona Self-Guided Driving TourThe Guide is available for $5 at the Prescott Chamber of Commerce and features well-researched tours to historical sites through the Bradshaw Mountains, Skull Valley, Williamson Valley and Limestone Canyon. Tours can accommodate both standard sedans and high clearance SUVs.
Unlimited Scenic Beauty and Outdoor Recreation:With 450 miles of multi-use recreational trails winding though groves of ponderosa pines and granite boulders and 392 campsites within the Prescott National Forest, the Prescott area is the perfect destination for the outdoor enthusiast. The Granite Basin Recreational Area offers some of the most challenging rock climbing in the country.
The scenic Granite Dells are a sight to behold with amazing granite rock formations clustered along Highway 89. The Granite Dells Resort was a favorite respite for movie cowboys such as Tom Mix.
Special Events:Throughout the year, many exciting events take place in the Prescott area. Don't miss cool summer events like the Phippen Museum Western Art Show & Sale in May or Territorial Days in June, which includes an arts and crafts show on the historic Courthouse Plaza. Prescott Frontier Days and Worlds Oldest Rodeo is held July 4th. Traditions of the Wild West are celebrated at the Folk Arts Festival in June, the Arizona Cowboy Poets Festival in August, and the Folk Music Festival in October, all held at the Sharlot Hall Museum.
Indian Nations-Current and Ancient: Prescott is home to the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe. The Yavapai roamed this area many years before white settlers discovered Arizona. They are well known for their finely crafted baskets made of devils claw and willow. In tribal culture, the baskets were used for everything from hauling wood to cooking stew and were incredibly resilient. Today the tribe consists of 155 members and has a strong business presence in the community. Several casinos occupy reservation land, along with other businesses that provide jobs for thousands of Prescott residents. The tribe is also a generous philanthropist, donating thousands of dollars to local charities.
Much of the local American Indian history is documented at the Smoki Museum and the Sharlot Hall Museum. You can also see ancient Indian ruins out at Lynx Lake, and many of Prescott's hiking trails lead past ancient petroglyphs.
Additional historical information:
RanchingEarly ranches branded calves during both the spring and fall roundups. After 1870, Arizona law required that all brands be burned on leather and registered with the territorial brand inspector.
A ranch woman's work included milking the cow, tending the chickens, washing, cooking, planting the garden, and caring for the family's needs. Labor saving devices were few. Up before dawn, most women worked well past dark.
RodeoJuan Levias of the Date Creek ranch won a "cowboy contest" held near Prescott on July 4, 1888. His trophy, on exhibit in the Sharlot Hall Museum, documents Prescott's claim as the "World's Oldest Rodeo." By 1927, Prescott declared itself the "Cowboy Capital of the World."
Rodeo bulldogging was first called "steer wrestling." It apparently started in Texas when a disgusted cowboy rodeo contestant resorted to biting the steer's lip (like a bulldog) to get the animal down.
RailroadsAfter 1893, the Santa Fe railway served Prescott and Central Arizona. An earlier railroad, the Prescott and Arizona Central, reached Prescott on December 31, 1886, but was bankrupt by the early 1890's. The last Santa Fe passenger train left Prescott in 1962. Freight trains continued until 1983, when a flood washed out the rails. The tracks and railroad ties were salvaged and the railroad bed was converted to a hiking and biking trail named the Peavine Trail. This trail is enjoyed today by residents and visitors alike. The beginning mile of the trail winds along the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve.
Running from the Prescott and Eastern Railway, the "BMRy" hauled ore from Poland and Crown King in the eastern Bradshaw Mountains. After World War I, metals prices dropped and these railroads soon failed as well.
CommerceOne of Prescott's first general merchandise and grocery stores was the Bowen and Knowles. It closed so that the proprietors could work more on their mining interests.
Once one of several general merchandise stores in Prescott, the J. I. Gardner building sat at the corner of Cortez and Willis. Mr. Gardner was the father of local cowboy, poet, and postmaster, Gail Gardner. Gail Gardner wrote the famous cowboy song "Tying a Knot in the Devil's Tail.
RecreationAn Emergency Relief Administration Health Camp for girls operated in Granite Dells. Since the 1890's Prescott residents and other Arizonans flocked there for recreation and the railroad would offer special holiday excursion trains. Tom Mix made several silent films in the Granite Dells. Prescott first attracted the movie industry in 1912, and major studios still film here today.
DowntownLike all early wooden towns, Prescott suffered many fires. Most famous of these is the July 14, 1900 blaze that consumed much of downtown Montezuma and Gurley Streets. After the fire, businesses rebuilt with "fireproof" stone and block, which defines today's downtown landscape. The early downtown population comprised a remarkable cross section of saloon workers and patrons, including cowboys, businessmen, laborers, Chinese, blacks, Mexicans and prostitutes.
MiningThe Bullwhacker gold mine was located near where Prescott Gateway Mall is today. In the summer of 1863, prospectors came up the Hassayampa River to find placer gold on local creeks, and metal-bearing quartz in the Bradshaw Mountains. Since that time, mining has been an important part of Central Arizona's economy.
At the Iron King Mine near Humboldt miners used pneumatic drills. Called "widow makers," these tools created so much dust that miners often died of silicosis after a few years of work. Although dry drilling was not outlawed until 1968, most larger mines used water attachments on their drills by the 1930s. The Iron King produced zinc, gold, silver, and copper.
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