The Founding of Prescott

THE FOUNDING OF PRESCOTT By Kitty Joe Parker Helson and Charles Franklin Parker

Prescott, nestled comfortably in the rolling hills of north-central Arizona, had an unusual beginning for a town in the rough and rugged West. Every town or city has its own reason for being; most often a community has risen because of its locale geographical or geological perhaps as a seaport such as Boston, New York and San Francisco; or a river town such as Natchez, St. Louis and New Orleans. Most of the early communities in Arizona grew from a similar purpose Yuma, Ehrenberg and La Paz on the Colorado River were such river communities. Many communities in Arizona are the eruption of ore discoveries fifty years or more ago Bisbee, Miami and Jerome were given birth through the discovery of rich mineral deposits. The case for Prescott as Arizona's first capital was decidedly different. Prescott came as the result of unsettled times chiefly the conflict between the North and South, deeming it the off-spring of political caution. A war had erupted after Abraham Lincoln became president. Residents in Southern Arizona (where the population was then centered) had tried to ally themselves with the Confederacy, and had sent a representative to attend the Confederate Congress. Despite such southern sympathies, Lincoln proclaimed Arizona a Territory of the United States on February 20, 1863, and immediately began to appoint the initial officers to govern the newly-created Territory. Due to the political times, the men he selected to head the government of Arizona were eastern and northern Republicans. These men were strongly allied to the Union cause and had no desire to establish the seat of newly-formed government in a place where southern sentiments were known to prevail. Therefore Tucson, the only major settlement in Arizona, could not be considered. Yuma and La Paz were the only other towns, and they were on the far western boundary and thought to be only temporary because of their primary association with mining. It was up to Governor John Goodwin to determine the location of the capital which ultimately was to be carved out of the wilderness and named for America's great historian, William Hickling Prescott.

Although the actual swearing in ceremony for the Territorial officials was held at Navajo Springs on December 29, 1863, this was just a formality to insure that these officers would receive remuneration for that year. The party was already intent on continuing on to Fort Whipple near Del Rio Springs. At the Fort the officials would be sheltered and protected in this barren wilderness of Arizona. The Governor was also familiar with the activities of the Walker Party which had established itself in the Bradshaw Mountains earlier that same year. He was interested particularly in the central part of Arizona because of its location geographically; because of the nearness of the military establishment of Fort Whipple; and the fact that there was already some settlement along Lynx Creek and other areas in the Bradshaw Range, where much needed gold for the Union cause had been discovered, tended to influence him.

Goodwin's party arrived at Fort Whipple in Chino Valley early in 1864 and there established temporary headquarters for the Territorial government. While the Governor traversed the area of the Territory looking for a suitable location for his capital, the infant government began to take shape, and the officials began to identify themselves with their new habitat. Richard C. McCormick, Arizona's first Territorial Secretary, had brought with him a small printing outfit. It was on this press that the first issue of the Arizona Miner (northern Arizona's first newspaper) was published on March 9, 1864. Civilization had already begun to touch this rugged frontier. In this first issue it was stated that "Local, rather than National affairs, will, for the present, occupy our chief attention. In common with the people of Arizona, we are pioneers in a great and responsible work, the upbuilding of a State, which shall do honor to itself and to the age. In the subjugation of the savage; in the development of the vast mineral and other resources of the Territory, and the diffusion of a correct knowledge of the same; in the establishment of law and order, the encouragement of the school and the church, and all the free institutions which give strength, character and prosperity to a people, we shall take an active and earnest part."

The next month, April, 1864, Governor Goodwin selected the townsite for the Territorial Capital which was to become known as Prescott. Just previously a group of miners had established their camp along Granite Creek and dubbed it "Goodwin" in honor of the Governor. They sought to persuade him to locate the capitol in Goodwin but were unsuccessful. He decided on the site where Prescott now stands. Fort Whipple was then moved from its site in Chino Valley to its location near Prescott, where a fine Veterans Administration hospital stands today. The Governor established his own camp along the banks of Granite Creek on the site once inhabited by Pauline Weaver, one of the fabulous Mountain Men of the day, now a Western legend.

On May 30, 1864, the first meeting was held to organize a town. The well-read Secretary of the Territory, Richard McCormick, suggested the name Prescott for the new capitol in the wilderness, "in honor of the eminent American writer and standard authority upon Aztec and Spanish-American history," Willian Hickling Prescott. So it was named and thus John Goodwin had successfully created a town for the Arizona government which he had brought by boat and on wheels across the plains to a destination and a new beginning.

Once the site was chosen, it was quickly surveyed and marked off. The site, which followed Granite Creek for a mile, embraced a beautiful mesa and contained two quarter sections. The streets, which run with the cardinal points of the compass, were one hundred feet wide. The wide streets were named for persons identified either with the past or present history of Prescott: Montezuma, Cor tez, Marina, Alarcon, Coronado and Whipple, running north and south; and Sheldon, Willis, Gurley, Goodwin, Carlton, Aubry, Leroux, Walker and Lount running east and west. The exceptions were Granite and Union Streets. Granite, near the creek so named, was the first street on Prescott's west side. Union Street, only a block long, connected the central plaza with the Capitol Block, set aside for the future buildings necessary for the Territorial Government an entire square atop the highest point of the village. (The Junior High School is now located on a portion of this site.) The central plaza remains, housing for many years the Yavapai County Court House, one of the finest examples of Classical Greek architecture in the West.

A map of the townsite, as it had been laid out by the commissioners, was then rendered by A. F. Waldemar. Lithographed copies of this map were given to each individual purchasing a lot in Prescott; this copy was in turn filed with the deed to indicate the exact lot under consideration.

The first sale of lots was conducted June 4, 1864. Seventy-three lots were sold for a total income of $3,927.50. The appraised value of these same parcels of land was $910. The owners of the Arizona Miner paid $245 for the land to locate the local press, the highest price paid during the sale. The Arizona Miner also claimed the privilege of owning the first building completed on the new town site later that same month.

Activities in the newly born community were increasing with this sale of lots and the commencement of construction of buildings. Although the new buildings were perhaps foremost in the minds of many, there were other necessary items which had to be dealt with. The early issues of the Arizona Miner provide a current report of the many activities in the buzzing community. Since the paper at first was published but twice a month, the local residents were probably informed of the happenings after they had already lived them. Even though this was likely the case at the time, the paper did preserve the record of the events of the day for future generations and we are able to have an account of the activities at that time. In addition to the construction of buildings; the establishment of infant businesses; the Woolsey Partywas organized to rid the settlers of the marauding Apaches; the wheels were turning, to organize the first election of representatives to attend the first session of the legislature; the census was taken; and a Sunday School Class was organized.

The Woolsey Party had been organized in the spring of that first year as Indian depredations in the area had been severe. Lone travelers along the mountain roads were killed; ranch houses were attacked; and miners killed. Although enthusiasm ran high for the expedition, the Miner of May 11, 1864, announced that "Col. Woolsey's next expedition will not start until the 1st of June. It will number nearly two hundred men and have fifty days' provisions, transported by Miller's pack train, which has been offered for the purpose. The delay in starting is caused in waiting for that train to return from La Paz with the provisions."

Although civilization was making a valiant effort to dominate in these early days, it was having its problems. On May 25 we find this article: "MISSING.-Many letters and papers sent to Fort Whipple are lost upon the way. Who is to blame? We are quite certain the military expressmen are not at fault."

Now Prescott was more than a vision and a name. Buildings were rising; people lived within the town limits; and the newspaper was no longer published some distance hence. Now that the initial needs (such as shelter and food) of the local inhabitants were taken care of, thought was given to the public buildings necessary for conducting Territorial affairs and the convening of the legislature. Evidently, this question had been posed by residents and officials alike, as the Miner discusses this topic in the issue of July 20.

The preparations for the accommodation of the Leg islature by law was entrusted to the Secretary of State, Richard C. McCormick. His instructions from Washington indicated that he was not authorized to expend more for rooms than would have been necessary for rent, had the capitol been fixed at an old established settlement as no appropriation had been made for the erection of public buildings. Therefore, he sought to find and hire for the session, some suitable building among those in course of construction. This seeming to be impossible, McCormick received proposals for building, but the lowest of these greatly exceeded the amount which he felt authorized to expend.

It was then that Van C. Smith proposed to put up a structure, for business purposes, to be be ready by by or before the first of September and to be temporarily fitted up for the use of both branches of the Legislature. The Secretary approved this plan and the building was let to the Territorial Government. The plans called for it to be of hewn logs and was to be on the north side of Gurley Street facing the plaza.

The fundamental needs of the infant government, the town and its residents had been met. Shelter and other necessities of life were available, although scarce at times, and the mechanics of government were in order. Now it was time to consider other facts of community life. The first Sunday School in Prescott (believed by the Miner to be the first in the Territory) was organized August 7, 1864, by Rev. H. W. Read, a member of the Governor's Party. "All the children in the town were present but of course the number is very small Church services are held by Mr. Read in his house every Sabbath morning." (Arizona Miner, August 24, 1864.) Hand in hand with this growth and development, death was a frequent occurrence. The Indians not only killed lone travelers, but people living on the fringes of the community, as well. The Indians were still a real threat to people. Natural causes also took many of the early settlers. Although the formal organization of the Masonic bodies was sometime in the future, many of the early funerals were conducted with Masonic rites, lending even further evidence of the desire of these people to bring a cultural atmosphere to the wilderness. (When the Masonic Lodge was formally organized, it was the first in Arizona, and eventually became known as Aztlan Lodge #1, the Charter having been brought in from California by a member of the fraternity on horseback.) The influence and sophistication of the government officials and other early settlers was extremely important in determining the character of this infant community. Despite the constant threat of Indian depredation and the inconvenience incurred in obtaining food, clothing and luxuries, the cultural climate of Prescott was "mile high." Within a few short years several Sun day Schools and churches were established. Until then community church services were held to fill religious needs. Now those of the Protestant, Jewish, and Catholic faiths began to conduct their own formal worship ser vices. A school was built, fraternal organizations were established; the women banded together in Ladies Aid Societies, Women's Clubs, and Eastern Star; and small libraries were initiated. And, there was no lack of ele gant social life the first ball was held in November of 1864. Prescott had its brawls and fights along "Whiskey Row" but a fine atmosphere of family and community life dominated the town nevertheless. Yes, there were both ladies and "girls," homes and "cribs" but the cultural pattern of Prescott was one basically, if impiously, nurtured within the restraints of a trans planted, though modified, puritanism. Prescott, for all of its Whiskey Row episodes, was never a Dodge City or Tombstone. It had an inherent quality of New Eng land moved to a new frontier.

Concurrent with the session of the first Legislature, the very first Arizona Historical Society was chartered by members of the legislature to preserve and collect the historical, geological and mineralogical data of this new land. The legislators also realized the importance of education even in this sparse land and the legislature not only provided in the Howell Code for the estab lishment of common schools when needed, but also appropriated small sums for public schools in the largest towns. Prescott alone took advantage of this appropria tion by maintaining a private school in 1865. In Decem ber of 1864, a school had been established by Mr. R. F. Platt. Within short order the school had an enrollment of more than twenty students and during that term Prescott collected from the funds offered by the legislature.

Businesses seemed to develop as quickly as shelters were provided or buildings could be completed. The Juniper House, Prescott's first hotel, opened its doors July 4, 1864. Originally built and operated by Barnard and Dolling, the hotel offered substantial food, with little variety fresh venison, red peppers and frijoles. But within a few months Prescott suffered its first loss from fire when the Juniper House burned to the ground in April of 1865. Manuel Yesera is believed to have operated the first store located in the south end of town. According to Edmund Wells it was the "stand so long and happily known as Fort Misery," which can be seen today where it now stands on the grounds of the Sharlot Hall Museum, having been moved to this historic shrine in recent years.

Prescott soon became a major center for the miners living in the nearby mining camps. There was a genuine need for men of diverse qualifications. A lumber mill was started, several general stores supplied wares, a restaurant, saloons, and other businesses appeared. Professional men offered their services. A handful of men bought land to farm, selling the scarce products in the local stores. Wagon trains carried in many products over roads meandering over shimmering, treacherous deserts and cut through dense pine forests and Indian country. The supplies were always welcome, although the "freshness" of the produce would likely be questionable today.

The Arizona Miner of September 12, 1864, relates: "Potatoes and Onions. A good supply of these wholesome vegetables reached Prescott by Mr. Hardy's wagons. They sell at seventy-five cents (paper) per pound, and remind us of civilization in all but the price."

In another issue of the local press, the writer laments that materials arrive faster travelling over the plains via Santa Fe than those coming from San Francisco. Seemingly there were not enough steamboats along the Colorado to supply all the settlements requiring such goods.

The first public celebration in Prescott is reported to have been July 4, 1864, when the town was but a few months old. This celebration was the beginning of a tradition, that of annually recognizing the Fourth of July, which eventually gave birth to the Prescott's Frontier Days, the annual Fourth of July Rodeo and celebration.

The dynamic Irishman, Richard McCormick, took time off from his other duties as a Territorial officer, to arrange the first great social occasion of this first governor's administration. Throughout June of that year McCormick travelled on muleback, visiting each settlement in Northern Arizona to invite everyone to come to the Fourth of July celebration. After these invitations

PAUL COZE MURALS IN PRESCOTT CITY HALL

LOBBY: Eight historical panels framed with local stones, gravel, sand, and mosaic.

COUNCIL CHAMBER AND COURT ROOM: Seal and a large mural, white filagrees representing things of the past. A relief map with miniatures and mosaic shows the evolution of Prescott from early days to modern time.

HALL: Portrait of William Hickling Prescott, 1796-1859. Brilliant American Historian whose work inspired the naming of this city. This unusual and successful author wrote about the court in Spain, the conquest of Mexico, of Peru, and many other essays.

COUNCIL CHAMBER: The mural is a Projection of Prescott in the future with the emphasis on joy and growth. Framing the decorative, tapestrylike design are typical nature characteristics, PONDEROSA PINES, ASPEN, MANZANITAS, GRANITE ROCKS, etc. We also see animal wild life. And the CATTLE INDUSTRY is represented.

The curved design has at its core the FIRST LOG CABIN SCHOOL HOUSE. Gradually, a super impression of SCHOOL BUILDINGS grows larger and more modern into a COLLEGE. A stream of CHILDREN wearing a progression of costumes dating from 1864 to today gradually reach adult life. Above, INSTRUMENTS OF A MODERN, SCIENTIFIC AGE symbolize the new INDUSTRIALIZATION of the city.

The flow of water which makes progress possible reflects a RAINBOW, symbol of hope. Below and to the right in a sun ray is a YOUTH at play, jumping with joy and life, placing an emphasis on HEALTH. Above, a flock of various migratory BIRDS Symbolizes the importance of passing TOURISTS. In an inset, CULTURE is expressed with people of all ages involved in learning, or artistic or literary activities.

THE SEAL AND THE FLAG The Seal of the City of Prescott was imbedded in plastic with a copper and mosaic frame. (Copper Artists: Bob Slagle and Bob Jones). HISTORICAL MURALS IN THE LOBBY: MOUNTAIN MEN, Fall, 1840, In the Mountains of Cop-per Basin Trail.

PAULINE WEAVER, mountain man and first citizen of Prescott, joins in camp a French trapper, whose Ute squaw fries a fish.

THE PROSPECTORS AND MINERS, 1850, During a Summer Storm, Somewhere Above Lynx Creek.

MINERS AND PROSPECTORS have been among the first trailmakers of the Southwest.

FORT WHIPPLE, September, 1864. The first military post was established at Chino Valley (December 21, 1863). On May 18, 1864, it was moved to the left bank of Granite Creek, its present location. Here we see a SCOUTING PATROL LEAVING. In the foreground a family of Yavapai Indians.

FIRST SEAT OF THE TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT OF ARIZONA, Fall, 1864. The Organic Act, signed by President Lincoln February 25, 1863, had created the new TERRITORY OF ARIZONA. Soon after, Governor John N. Goodwin, from Maine, established the Seat of the Government in Prescott. The name was chosen by Secretary Richard C. McCormick, from New York. The fireplace here depicted still stands, however, slightly remodeled. From left to right: MILTON P. DUFFIELD, Territory Marshall; RICHARD C. MC CORMICK, First Secretary of the Territory, later second governor; JOSEPH P. ALLEN, Assistant Justice; ALMOND GAGE, U. S. District Attorney; JOHN N. GOODWIN, first territorial governor; H. W. FLEURY, his secretary.

FIRST RODEO, July 4, 1888. It is said that the first organized professional RODEO was held in Prescott on that day.

WHISKEY ROW, Winter, 1890's. Because of so many saloons on Montezuma Street, it was known as "Whiskey Row." Gambling was heavy.

ROUGH RIDERS, July, 1898. On Gurley Street an elderly gentleman and his daughter are reading the news from the Cuban War in the Arizona Weekly Journal Miner and the Harper's Weekly, which displays photographs of the victory of the Rough Riders, COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT, and Prescott hero BUCKEY O'NEILL.

A GARDEN PARTY, Spring, 1900. The eastern influence is strongly felt in Prescott, as the Spanish was in Tucson. Visitors were impressed since the first days with the manners and clothing of its citizens. This is a Sunday afternoon family scene. A U. S. Calvary Lieutenant from Fort Whipple is courting.

had been given to everybody, McCormick began to make the culinary arrangements necessary for the large crowd which was expected. He arranged with Sam Milles, another emerprising young man în Prescott whe later was nanted official hunter for the town, for venison, antelope, wild tarkey, duck and quail, all indigenous to the locale. Staple iteras stich as flour, sugar and coffer, which were scarce and expensive in the settlement, he was able to procure through the Military Counissary at Fort Whipple. From the rations due General Carlton were to come potatoes and onions; and there would be plenty of beans, too. McCormick selected the best cook in the territory as his Chief Culinary Artist Henry Fluery, an industrious individual of French Canadian ancestry, who served as the Governor's Private Secretary, and whe later served for many years as Justice of the Peace in Presentt. The plaza was selected as the site to conduct the festivities. It was cleared of timber, and the rough lags were utilized to make the tables; a large stump was designated as the speaker's stand. From the hours of early morning, settlers from the neighboring areas arrived in town. The Fort Whipple military band supplied music. The list of orators included the Governor, Secre tary of State and other territorial officials. Masculine voices filled the air of the womanless community (there were no American women at that time) with such tunes as the nostalgic "Annie Lantie." Next there were games of skill, contests and other events including races. Thore were various kinds of races horse races; foot races; and soldier-against-miner races. In another contest yokes of ozen were pitted against each other to pull logs for a price. After everyone had worked up a man-sized appetite while displaying his athletic skills, the feast was served.

Food and mere food was served until every kettle and pot was empty. Succeeding this first successful social event, many others were to follow in the years ahead, Many were to be much more elaborate and glamorous as civilization roached closer, but probably none was ever conducted with greater care and concern than that of the young host nor one as inclusive of guests for even some of the friendly Yavapai Indians from their nearby camp timidly participated in the gala festivities. With such a successful celebration to spur them on, social activities and celebrations increased. As the cam munity grew and schools, churches, and organizations becarne a more integral part of the community, social events were much more commos. An annual event for auny years, until there were so many churches to assume the task, was the Community Chrismas Party. Often held in the old Court Room, these festivities were centered around a fine Christmas trec, loaded with gifts for everyone. According to newspaper accounts, this party was anticipated with delight by the adults as well as the children in the community. Another public holi day which was celebrated as regularly and with as much pomp and ceremony as the Independence colebration was May Day. Elaborato preparations for a community picnic, games, mes, and a May Day Queen were made. Prescott women formed committees to arrange for food, tables, centerpieces and other regalia for the picnic. A Queen was chosen from among the school girls of the town and much ado was made of har "coronation" and reign during the festivities; and the children of the town danced around a May Pole. The local school not only served to educate the young people, but was also a source of social activity. The school exercises at the end of each term were highly publicized and well-attended as a community event. In 1869 one such program was conducted in the Elysian Hall. The exercises consisted of declaiming, the reading of essays, and singing, “in a manner most complimentary to the school.” Following the formal exercises a party was given by the teacher, Mr. Chris. Each term the name of each student appeared in the local paper, along with his or her grades for the term. Fort Whipple was also the center of much gaiety for many years, and the people from Prescott were almost always invited to travel the mile and a half from Prescott to participate, During the late '60's, a group of soldiers at the post formed a “Varieties Comique.” This group produced entertainment with some regularity; and these productions were well attended by both personnel from the post and Prescottonians. Such an exhibition of suthernsiasm for these theatricals provoked the rumor that the group was planning to build a theatre between town and the post.

Needless to say, with the exception of a touring theatrical company which might occasionally fod its way to the Capital, entertainment was of purely local origin. At various times bands and singing groups were organized in an effort to perpetuate both music and colture. A Mr. Elliott taught singing classes, and the paper reported that his “pupils have made great advances in the science of singing,” and that the class would perform for the public. Some two months later the brass band of sixteen members was reported to be making fine progress “in a musical direction. In later years, the Military Band from Whipple supplied music on many occasions particularly when it was under the direction of Officer LaGuardia, father of the famous New York Mayor. As time went on, smaller parties of a more private nature began to be held. As the various lodges were organized, some social activities began to revolve around them rather than as an entire community effort. One such occasion was a ball held by the Aztlan Lodge to cele brate the recurrence of St. John's Day, for which they slated a ball and supper.

Some of the leading hostesses in Prescott entertained lavishly in their homes. Grand teas, costume parties, and other elegant affairs were conducted with regularity as the town grew and became more settled and there was increasing time for pleasure.

Through the years Chinese immigrants arrived in Prescott and the Chinese population gradually increased until there was a section of town which became known as Chinatown. These industrious individuals established their own small business enterprises restaurants and laundries were among the most popular. T. W. Otis, a solid business and church man in Prescott, established a Sunday School class for the Chinese under the auspices of the Congregational Church. He conducted these classes for some years, instructing them in English as well as the Bible.

Life in early Prescott was rugged. In that day there were no modern conveniences whatsoever. New arrivals in Prescott usually had not only to build their own home, but business buildings as well. Indians, fire, disease, and fights took their toll, but nevertheless the people were able to rise above the many obstacles to create and build a fine community; a community in which it was safe to rear children and to educate them. A town, not of the wild and bloody nature of so many frontier com munities, but one with high standards and high ideals. This is Prescott: Arizona's frontier capital, which has endured trouble and progress, but has held staunchly steadfast for a fruitful one hundred years!