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Prescott
100 miles N of Phoenix; 66 miles SW of Sedona; 87 miles SW of Flagstaff
Prescott is an Arizona anomaly, a unique mixture of mountain town and western town. It doesn’t seem like the Southwest at all. With its stately courthouse on a tree-shaded square, two-story 19th-century buildings fronting most of it, and wooded mountains surrounding the town, Prescott still has the air of the rugged territorial capital it once was. The obligatory stroll around Courthouse Plaza is a delight, passing restored saloons, hotels and souvenir and antique shops—and, these days, decent cafes and restaurants, too. Add to this several small museums, a couple of historic hotels, the strange and beautiful landscape of the Granite Dells, and nearby Prescott National Forest, and you have a town that appeals to a wide range of visitors.
Prescott’s pioneer history dates from 1863, when the Walker party discovered gold in the mountains of central Arizona. Soon miners were flocking to the area to seek their own fortunes. A year later, Arizona became a U.S. territory, and the new town of Prescott, located right in the center of Arizona, was made the territorial capital. It would eventually lose that title to Tucson and then to Phoenix, but for part of the late 19th century, Prescott was the most important city in Arizona. Wealthy merchants and legislators transformed this pioneer outpost into a beautiful town filled with stately Victorian homes.
Today Prescott has become an upscale retirement community, with the housing prices to prove it. In summer, Prescott is a popular weekend getaway for Phoenicians; it is usually 20° cooler here than in Phoenix (and most winters even see some snow).
Essentials
Arriving
Prescott lies at the junction of Ariz. 89 and Ariz. 69. If you’re coming from Phoenix, take the Cordes Junction exit (exit 262) from I-17 onto Ariz. 69 and drive northwest for 25 miles (traffic is sometimes slow-going). The trip from Phoenix takes a little under 2 hours. From Flagstaff, the most direct route is I-17 to Ariz. 169 to Ariz. 69; there’s also a more picturesque but significantly slower route, Ariz. 89A, through Sedona and Cottonwood.
From Sky Harbor Airport, Arizona Shuttle (www.arizonashuttle.com;
Visitor Information
The Prescott Chamber of Commerce is at 117 W. Goodwin St. (www.visit-prescott.com;
City Layout
Prescott Valley has grown explosively; the stretch of Ariz. 69 from I-17 is now lined with shopping malls and housing (there’s even a Trader Joe’s!). Prescott’s main drag is Gurley Street, which ultimately forms the north side of Courthouse Plaza. Ariz. 89, heading north from Wickenburg, eventually becomes Montezuma Street, also known as Whiskey Row, which forms the west side of the plaza.
Special Events
In early June, Territorial Days features special art exhibits, performances, tournaments, races, and lots of food and free entertainment. Prescott’s biggest annual event is the World’s Oldest Rodeo (www.worldsoldestrodeo.com;
The stately Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott recalls the city’s heyday as capital of the Arizona territory.
Exploring Prescott
A walk around Courthouse Plaza should be your first introduction to Prescott. The stately old courthouse in the middle of the tree-shaded plaza sets the tone for the whole town. If it seems far too large for a small regional town, it is—it was built in the days when Prescott was capital of the Arizona territory. Under the big shade trees, you’ll see several bronze statues, including a striking one dedicated to Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, a group of Spanish-American War volunteers who headed off from the plaza in 1898. I really like the historical timeline painted into one of the walks.
Surrounding the courthouse and extending north for a block or so is Prescott’s historic business district. Stroll around admiring the brick buildings, and you’ll realize that Prescott was once a very important place. On Montezuma Street facing the plaza is The Palace, an old-time saloon where parts of the Steve McQueen film Junior Bonner were filmed, as a giant poster for the movie on the wall attests. Looking for antiques? Cortez Street is lined with almost a dozen big antique stores. Duck into an old saloon or the lobby of one of the historic hotels, and you’ll understand that the town was also part of the Wild West.
Fort Whipple Museum
Veterans Affairs campus, Bldg. 11, 500 N. Ariz. 89.
Phippen Museum
4701 Ariz. 89 N. www.phippenartmuseum.org.
Sharlot Hall Museum
