Why Prescott?

We had just returned from a vacation trip in Arizona. John and Doris, near door in Arlington, Virginia, came out to welcome us home as we unloaded the station wagon. After the usual exchange of greetings, Doris asked, "And did you find that place to live when you retire?"

"Yep," I answered, "It's Prescott." Grinning, but trying not to sound too smug, my husband added, "We bought a couple of view lots the day we hit town."

"Had you been there before?"

"Nope."

"Have any folks, know anyone there?"

"Nope."

"Then why Prescott?" At this point we were joined by the Tully's from down the street. It was a hot and humid July, so someone suggested we go inside and sit down while we explained our choice for the first of what has been many times. Like most Service families, we have lived in several states including Hawaii and abroad. Because we were free to settle almost any place, people are "We just drove around a hill and there it was," said my husband. "A sunny exposure with a view across the treetops and ridge after ridge of national forests."

"Exactly what we were looking for," I interrupted. "There-" I said, "right there is where I'd like to build a house!"

Thinking back now, our sudden decision does seem a bit incongruous. My husband still had two years of duty with the Army. We had made many friends in the Washington area during his tours at the Pentagon; we had our own home in Arlington. And most of all, there was the financial security of a government position offered him when he left the Service. With two boys to send to college, we could not afford total retirement. On the other hand, the East Coast climate agreed with none of us. I had developed some arthritis and we had perpetual colds. As most Southwesterners do, we hated the high humidity. Then, too, there was a dream of twenty years we were reluctant to let go. Since our first trip to Arizona we knew where we wanted to live: the state was settled, the only question was where in Arizona. So our decision, as we explained to our friends, was not as impulsive as it sesmed.

As we waited in a Prescott real estate office for the papars on our lots to be prepared, I looked out at the great white "P" on a point of the Bradshaws. "That's my monatin," I joked. "It's wearing my brand." Now, three years later, as we sus completing our home exactly where we had dreamed, I know that was a lucky prophecy. The "P" that stands for Prescott seams also a symbol for its sttrections, the people who came here, and why.

First, there were the Prospectors with Pick and Pan. They came mostly as a backlash from the gold rushes of California and Colorado, penetrating a last last frontier, the isolated recreat of Garce fierce Apaches. Led by soch mountwin town as Pauline Weaver and Joseph Walker, they found their gold-in Wasver Galch, on Antelope Hill, on the Hawayampa, Lynx Creek, and the Big Bng. Wichin a year of these discoveries Congress had established a separate Arizona Territory and Prescott becane is Capital. Fort Whippla was already established nearby to

protect the miners, and thus the way was open to the Pioneers. The Pioneers gave a Permanence to the country. Because they came to plow and plant, to buy and sell, to mine, to raise cattle, to build homes and towns, and to establish civil order, Prescott survived even its loss of the Capital while other mining communities became ghost towns. The family names of many early settlers are still among us. It is fitting, too, that the Pioneers' Home, often mistaken for a resort hotel, should be built at Prescott. The first generation of Pioneers is gone, but many of their children are living out their eighties and nineties on a high hill that overlooks the land they love so much, and which has not forgotten them. Since Prescott began its career under a Republican administration, it drew its chief citizens from the North and East. This shows in the architecture of the town to this day. Instead of the Mexican adobe of the southern part of the state, houses in Prescott were log or frame. Older residential sections are reminiscent of New England, some houses having even a "widow's walk." Since oceans and sailing vessels were far away, the balconies were used for viewing the superb scenery. Designed around a courthouse "square" with green lawns and numerous shade trees, the streets were straight and orderly. The town was named for William Hickling Prescott, and north-south streets appropriately called Montezuma, Cortez, Alarcon, Marina, etc. from a popular history he had written. Eastwest streets were named for important personages of the time: Goodwin, Gurley, Carleton, Willis, Sheldon, Aubrey, and Leroux. The first public building was the Governor's Mansion made of logs and two stories high. Built in 1864, it still stands in good condition. Thus Prescott has a Past. This is preserved in the Sharlot Hall Museum and in the Governor's Mansion where many old photographs, records, and interesting relics are on display. One may register at General Crook's desk that jounced about the rough country in the back of a wagon as he campaigned against the Indians. Inconsistent as it may seem, a few blocks away the Smoki Museum is dedicated to preservation of Indian culture. The Indian is a part of Prescott's Past, too, dating back To the pithouse. On the plaza a massive statue pays tribute to the Rough Riders. But there is no shrine to the badman. Prescott had its whiskey row and once, a stagecoach robbery, but the populace included a large number of intelligent, well-educated, and cultured people who took pride in their homes, schools, churches, and the establishment of law and order. The City was incorporated in 1883. Some of its patriots helped draft the Constitution when Arizona became a state.This brings us happily to the People. Here we have found the friendliest and most accommodating people it has ever been our good fortune to know! We find them very relaxed and informal. In certain parts of our country, to be addressed by one's first name is equivalent to being called "boy." In Prescott it is a compliment-it means one has "arrived." Since I am a newcomer, it has been necessary to do a great deal of research and interviewing. Everyone has been most gracious and co-operative. Oldtimers and new residents are equally enthusiastic about our town! "Never in my life," said Lt. Col. Byron Hargrove, new manager of the Chamber of Commerce, "have I known people with greater integrity than the people of Prescott." Col. Hargrove is used to sitting at conference tables where a man's whole career may depend on his integrity. "It's the same here," he told me. "Whether a person is paid or is volunteering his services, if he says he will do such and such a thing, I know that job is as good as done."

With such a background, it was inevitable that Prescott should have Progress. In spite of fire, panics, drouths, and depressions, Prescott has grown from a frontier community to a modern city. County seat of Yavapai, it had but to rely on its natural resources. The gold rush passed, leaving behind several small but steady mines of copper, silver, lead, and zinc. Cattle-raising was profitable only on the big spreads. Ft. Whipple became a veterans' hospital. Only the pure air and delightful climate did not change. Since there are no big U. S. installations such as army posts or air bases, and no heavy industries, there is something unique about Prescott's growth, which over the past few years has been phenomenal!The City is proud of its population increase, of course, but its real pride is the progress achieved through intelligent citizen action. By 1954 Prescott had grown itself into a number of problems, the most critical of which was limited water and sewer facilities. The City was then financially weak and new resources for improvements were defeated at the polls because the tax rate was already so high as to hurt property owners and discourage new investments and industry. Schools were bulging at the seams. There was no economic unity with half the population living outside the City limits. But the citizens arose to the challenge, for Prescott is a city of Projects and Participation.

First, the civic groups educated the voters to approve a million dollar water-sewer bond issue. With those facilities doubled, the next step was an intensive annexation campaign. The fringe areas came into the City one by one until, by 1958, the population had practically doubled and area increased nearly three times. With this expansion, increased efficiency, and a 1% sales tax, the City cut its property tax rate in half in one year, yet had a nice surplus of funds with which to budget improvements. Building construction was up nearly four times. School bond issues were approved. Civic-minded citizens realized that, if a city would grow, it must have recreational facilities; still the government, newly out of the red, hesitated to spend its funds for them. Proof that in unity there is strength, forty-eight different groups raised money and donated labor to build the Yavapai County Youth Center which includes Prescott's first public swimming pool. The solution of financing a municipal golf course came through sale of lots adjoining the course by the Antelope Hills Development, a group of businessmen organized for that purpose.

Citizen effort did not stop with major accomplishments, but every civic group seemed to sponsor a project to better the community. The Business and Professional Women took over annual publication of Hot Iron, the rodeo souvenir program, selling advertisements therein and using the proceeds to light the courthouse at Christmas. In a few years they have accumulated $5000 worth of permanent wiring and fixtures so that the huge building is turned into a symphony of color and beauty at

Christmas. The Yavapai County Cowbelles have pubEshed a book, Reboes of the Fast, prosarving for posterity true experiences of early rancis families. Service clobe have sponsored so many projects, frosa free Sulk vaccine to ays beoks, and combating juvenills delinquency so bringing act whibits to Prescott, that it la impossible tó meadon all of them here. This is the type of cidsen action that wan Prescott nationwide ide recognition in the AllAnsacics Cities Award Contest, The average present-day resident wasn't bam herer he has chosen a delibazately after considerable research and travel, and he is quick to sing its Pralees, "All I knew shout Arisons," he may tell you, "wee that the desart was fine in winns and the sunsins wonderful in somer, but no one could Eve in either in the convene sensou." Of course, that is only his way of emphasizing Prescott's moderation. Thousands have found both Phoenix end Flagstsif suitable to year round Eving. But those who wislis to avoid extremes take grest dolgte ta saying, "Not too hot, που τοo cold, no blizzardı, heat waves, dust senens, eutiques, nor tomadoss." Prescott Bes bota in the geographical center of the state and is the climatic center. This misane the weather is changeable enough to be stimulating. The ser ruiny season and one or two big nows in winter are welcomed becuase they are the excepcion and not the rule. With ite mile high alevation, Ideal humidity, pure sir, moderate temperatures, and abundent sunshine, it becomes nour-Paradise for mony a health-weber. Some of our prominent residents curns here yous ago "to dia." Ochars, specially retired people, bave come caly recently to "Eve." Our slower Pacs appeals to the person who is tired of frantic big cities with their hsery teattle and perklag problems. if one needs a bit longer to board a bus de cross a starsat this is customику, he will find there is Patisace. Where there is time to caubillsh swal veloss, one can know Peace.

Then there are the Peaks and the Pions. Sweeping into the City on say of the filen highway approaches, one is impressed by an sa over-ell rock garden effect. In our owa case this bad quite a beating. Whenever it was positsle for us to reach the mountains during a vacation, we alweys went to them. Natually we comidered retirmasat a sort of parqpetual vacation, so where wonki be more logical to eattle? From aay high bill there is a Hositions panoramai Thumb Butte, Granits Mouwtein, Bill wilNares Mountsin, the Sen Francisco Peaks, Bleck Hills, the Bradshows, zod Sierra Prietas, Upon their cool slopes grow sands of fic, pine, aspon, pifion, The rocks are "sot with brush, ressanika, live oak, raomstein mehogeny, and quisine band. Along colorful canyons are oak, onk, a ssh, maple, and wakut. Wildlins abounds for tise quiet observer, the explorer may find an Indian ruin, the rockbound a new field of “higging rock. For these we need waste no time on long, tiresome roads they are at our very docri The Paincer or Photographer will find soching more ploturesqus then a stark rock formation framed by grean needles, Tise Poet: should hear a gypsy wind in wild shandira samong the pises. He may wonder if my fragme cratches that of the janipem after a rain, and if he alts by a lake at night, his thoughts nany zuu: If ans should irs of the land, there is sheways the sky viow. I think the rainy season is my favorite becpse great clouds, Eixe paffs of cotton-candy, fill the blue sky-bowi and tionder glans stalk slowly sround the horizon, shaie lug the earth, Sralight things itself through a pelea of wwears to become a rainbow. So aften it is over the Bendshaws where thare naigist really be a pot of galdi A. sunnber of people come to Prescott to Fisy. For some it is a day of golf st Antelope Etills or the Hansyampa Country Club. For others, it naseans a week end of Hating at one of the four lakes that lie within a few milles of the City. Youngsters may stmed samanar ewers wisere hocseback riding is especially popuke. Or familles ry find one of the ton Recreational Areas in the Prescott National Forest ideal for planteking or camping. Witkaha the City, a Directar of Recreation co-ordinicus activities for all ages, from Little League to Community Binge, These include include swimming, tennis, crafts, szchery, and various lous ball-playing. Winter sposts of sledding and ice aksting are enjoyed at Hanayetape Lake and fa the hig country.

Let's not forget the Pooles. Prescott has been a renowing outter almost from its beginning. With the hardy lisntle mustang, it was posible to rangs great wards of cattle over the rough terrain of Yavapel. Here Harold Ball Wright placed the setting for Isis novel, When A. Mei's A Alave, komnortaliking the Axisrican cowboy. This jeaald, booted character, with his roll-brinsmed stew of Stetson, is so typically stive that "zich man, poor man, begger-ama, thief, doctor, lawy lawyer, merchant, "chief" silndress western in Prescotz. Horsefich is more acote Horsefach is more blooded thesin the old days; the Quarterhouse Show draws fonciers se far away to Montans. There are always some besztiful horses in the Parade that opens Frontier Deys. Thie celebration centms around a zodeo organized in 1888 and beld anomally during the Fourth of July holidays. Hoaps racing follows, beginning on July 5 and contdanning for two days each weck end darough Anyon What Possibilities does Prescot have for the fusorer "Staggering," says City Manager Manage Jack Eremum. "As Arizona grows, so must Prescott grow. We are fast disposing of those problens that would hinder me. We must: soon Associs into programs-an encensous paving project for example-ther will keep making Prescot better."

"Possibilities Never better," affeze "By" Hargrove who "sold" Prescott on his own for ive years before asoning his poorest position. "The Chamber of Com mave gou between soo and 150 letters of taqudry per week," be informed me, "with se lent 20% mcionły considadog s move to Prescon."

As in the Past, the citizens are already facing up to these Possibilities. It has long been recogained that eve tual economic staldity and growth. He in the attraction of now industry. The Industrial Comašense and other intar amond pazzons made a study around the nation of methods used successfully in stenceing new industry. Determining tisar the most successful method was the profit corpora tion, capitalized with considerable funds for investment and procoction, the group then solicited funds for stock. Some age citizens invested in the original effort sad be came the Prescote Foundation for Industrial Development. The fire now industry, a clothing factory which pro vided zoo new jobs, was bar the beginning. Others hava followed, and by the time this extiole goes to peers, ic in expected an electronics industry will be added in them. Not all our eggs are in the industry baskat, howevar. A two million dolise resort hotel has been pironed for Antelope Valley. Stil bidding for quality eithens, and keeping Prescott a Bust-rans fuse-rezs place to live, our paper is plogging for a great ellais for respiratory diseases. There are also excellent Possibilities for a church-sponsored col lags. As more men, even though retired, with enginsar hug and military experiance zoove into the sros, Reentrch Study Groups could be formed.

There is one other answer to "Why Prescott?" the one we hear most often, and which we call our shoet version. "We just came to Prescott and fell in love with it." Love, I believe, needa no explanation.