Prescott is the home of the world’s oldest rodeo and home of the famous and notorious ‘whiskey row’. Old Prescott played an important role in the birth of arizona as it was the first territorial capitol town of the state when arizona separated from new mexico. At the time, president lincoln felt that the capitol of the new territory needed to be further north from the many confederate sympathizers who lived in the southern part of the territory.
before the miners and cowboys the prescott area had been populated with possibly the ancestors of the yavapai indians. it has been said that the population was as high as 100.000 people. today, unfortunately there are only approximately 165 members of the yavapai tribe. the yavapai reservation sits between prescott and prescott valley. the yavapai nation today takes part in the community and provides various support for the area operating two casinos and shopping malls.
prescott was an early mining town back then as placer gold was discovered in the area’s creeks. as a matter of fact, the first mining district in arizona was established just south of town. This brought hundreds of gold diggers, miners, and yes, ladies to work the famed ‘whiskey row’. The town was layed out along the banks of granite creek near the base of thumb butte. The name ‘Prescott’ comes from the civil war historian william hickling prescott.
president Lincoln had a lot to do with the character of the city of prescott. He encouraged the town to be populated with folks from the north and midwest. So, we can see the effect this has had on the development of the town and residential areas. Many victorian style homes can be seen just a block from town. in arizona, or for that matter the entire southwest, only prescott has this 18th century midwestern charm. Thanks abe!
there is a lot of history in this central arizona town and one would be foolish to not mention the likes of the earp brothers, doc holliday, and big nose kate. I am sure there are many others, especially some of the early pioneers, that paved the way for us to enjoy our life here. for that reason i have listed some history links below on this page if you are so inclined. for more history on prescott and the area during your visit by all means visit the sharlot hall museum downtown. enjoy your stay!
