Prescott is located in Arizona's central mountains; at an elevation of 5,347 fee above sea level, Prescott's four mild seasons offer just enough variation to make the weather both moderate and interesting. Prescott is located 96 miles northwest of Phoenix and 90 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. The city was established in 1864, incorporated in 1881 and is the seat of government for Yavapai County. The city is named in honor of noted historian William Hickling Prescott.
Prescott's History: The discovery of gold in 1861 brought national attention to what later became the territory of Arizona. These discoveries drew the attention of President Abraham Lincoln who was looking for possible sources of funding for the North during the Civil War. Arizona became a Territory February 24, 1863. John Goodwin, the first Territorial Governor, established Prescott as the first Territorial Capital.
Prescott developed rapidy, and in 1865 it was described as being built exclusively of wood and inhabited almost entirely by Americans. Both of these facts made it unique among early communities. Prescott lost its title as the Capital of Arizona to Tucson and finally to Phoenix in 1889. In 1900, a devastating fire burned a large portion of downtown Prescott to the ground. Many of the buildings you see today were rebuilt following the fire. Today, many of Prescott's residential streets are lined with tall trees and pitched-roof frame houses, including turreted Victorians. Prescott has over 700 homes and businesses listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its granite courthouse set among green lawns and spreading trees reflects the Midwestern and New England background of Prescott's early pioneers, thus coining the phrase, "Everybody's Hometown."
(Information taken from the Prescott Chamber of Commerce official website.)
Prescott developed rapidy, and in 1865 it was described as being built exclusively of wood and inhabited almost entirely by Americans. Both of these facts made it unique among early communities. Prescott lost its title as the Capital of Arizona to Tucson and finally to Phoenix in 1889. In 1900, a devastating fire burned a large portion of downtown Prescott to the ground. Many of the buildings you see today were rebuilt following the fire. Today, many of Prescott's residential streets are lined with tall trees and pitched-roof frame houses, including turreted Victorians. Prescott has over 700 homes and businesses listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its granite courthouse set among green lawns and spreading trees reflects the Midwestern and New England background of Prescott's early pioneers, thus coining the phrase, "Everybody's Hometown."
(Information taken from the Prescott Chamber of Commerce official website.)
