When whites first came to the Prescott area, the place known to us as the Granite Dells was first called Point of Rocks. The first newspaper mention of the Granite Dells was in 1887. It was the name given to James and Thomas Wing’s ranch. They knew they held some of the most beautiful land in the area, and they set out to turn it into the first Granite Dells Resort.
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| The first newspaper mention of Granite Dells Weekly Journal-Miner March 16, 1887 |
The Wings often acted generously. When the railroad was being constructed in their vicinity, the workers were allowed to camp there and given water for free. “Other property owners along the line have been in the habit of charging for these necessaries,” the Weekly Journal-Miner noted. The first mention of its use as a resort occurred in May 1888, when “quite a large party of young people [had] a picnic” there, but facilities were minimal. Despite this, several Sunday schools also used the spot for picnics.
In July 1890, “Wing took out a load of lumber…to build a dancing platform,” the paper reported. ”He will give a moonlight dance at his Granite Dells ranch…” The dance was held on July 31st, 1890, in what the paper described as “one of the most romantic spots in this section.” Attendance was high.
In 1892, the paper mentioned three Sunday school picnics, one for the Congregational church and one for the Episcopal church. The ME church held its Sunday school picnics there annually.
Transit to the Granite Dells ranch for these large picnics involved the celebrants assembling at the Prescott depot to catch the morning train at 6:45 AM, and take it to “the nearest point on the railway to Wing’s [where] a stage convey[ed] the party…one-half mile” to the ranch, the paper explained.
In 1894, the Wings planned a large 4th of July event. “It looks very much, at present, as though our citizens would be compelled to leave town on Independence Day to get an opportunity to give vent to their patriotism,” the paper stated. “Men are now clearing the grounds, arranging [the] platform, seats, [a] croquet ground, swings, [and more].” Orators from Prescott and Phoenix were scheduled. One could bring a picnic basket, but refreshments were available, including lunch, ice cream, lemonade, fruits, and more. One of the highlight attractions was boat riding “upon the silver lake,” the paper remarked. “Never was so much pleasure offered at so small a cost.” Other offered diversions included “springboards, lawn tennis, [and] a commodious dancing platform”.
After the Independence Day celebration, the park was declared open “free to all, every day in the week,” the paper announced. The generous Wings would receive income only from the sale of food and refreshments. “We are desirous of furnishing private parties, clubs, Sunday school gatherings, families, and others, with ice cream and drinks in any quantity, from one-gallon [and] up.” People were invited to write to let them know how many were coming and what their needs would be.
Two years later, in July 1896, Granite Creek flooded, washing away “some newly made ground,” the paper reported, “[but] no damages resulted so far to property”—undeterred, the Wings constructed several improvements.
The Wings would keep the resort for four years, but were looking for a change. In May 1900, they sold their resort interests to Burhans & Son. Two months later, the Wings rented out the farming portion of their land.
The Burhans swiftly opened the resort, and 500-600 people attended. “The opening picnic at the Granite Dells ranch was a perfect success,” the paper concluded, “and amusements were provided for all.” The new owners thanked “the people of Prescott for their generous patronage,” and found it “very gratifying and the picnics and dances will be given every Sunday during the summer."
ALSO ENJOY: 1897 Rail Trip to Jerome Vividly Described
A reporter colorfully recounted an eventful and awe-inspiring railroad trip on the UV&P RR from Jerome Junction to Jerome in 1897.
The newspaper explained how things would function under the new ownership. “A fine lunch for visitors [will be served] every Sunday between 12 and 6 o’clock. They also have ice cream and cake, strawberries and cream, and serve cold lunches at all hours of any day.”
On July 10, 1900, the Burhans held a new event at the Dells, a pigeon shoot, but only five entrants paid the $7.50 fee (nearly $300 today). The winner went a perfect 15-for-15.
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In March of 1901, the water was drawn from the lake, and several improvements were made in preparation for the summer season. There were several events that year, but that was the last year for the Burhans, and Mr. Wing was “looking for a good man to take charge of the Granite Dells for the summer,” the paper announced.
A 1902 Independence Day celebration, organized by Typographical Union No. 375, was held at the Dells, but business at the resort was beginning to dwindle, and the Wings lost their enthusiasm for the business.
Then two men, Dr. FW Sawyer and Major BW Leavell, came to the Prescott area in hopes of establishing a consumptive (tuberculosis) sanitarium. They visited the Wing ranch and considered it the perfect spot, “where guests may have outdoor life, air, sun, light and…good food well prepared and served,” the paper wrote enthusiastically.
Many framed and floored tents were erected, and soon, several patients had filled them. “No more picnics at Granite Dells,” the paper bemoaned, “since the consumptive sanitarium has located there.” However, the “cart was ahead of the horse” as all of this work was done before a final lease agreement was reached. Weeks passed, and the pair were “unable to obtain a satisfactory lease of the place.” They left, and little was done the rest of the year.
In April of 1903, the Wings leased the place to Ed Shumate, who put a great deal of investment in it, but that’s another story.
And Here It Is: 1903: Ed Shumate Opens the Granite Dells Resort
The story of the first successful attempt at making the Granite Dells, near Prescott, AZ, a recreational attraction. It was also the first waterpark in Arizona.
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SOURCES:
Weekly Journal-Miner:
3/16/1887; Pg. 3, Col. 2.
2/1/1893; Pg. 5, Col. 3.
5/2/1888; Pg. 3, Col. 1.
7/16/1890; Pg. 3, Col. 3.
7/23/1890; Pg. 3, Col. 7.
7/6/1892; Pg. 3, Col. 1.
6/13/1900; Pg. 7, Col. 5
7/6/1892; Pg. 3, Col. 1.
6/6/1894; Pg. 3, Col. 1.
6/13/1894; Pg. 3, Col. 4.
7/25/1894; Pg. 3, Col. 5.
7/22/1896; Pg. 3, Col. 6.
5/9/1900; Pg. 4, Col. 3.
7/11/1900; Pg. 3, Col. 5.
5/16/1900; Pg. 3, Cols. 6-7.
5/23/1900; Pg. 3, Col. 2.
6/20/1900; Pg. 8, Col. 1.
7/11/1900; Pg. 3, Col. 2
6/20/1900; Pg. 7, Col. 2
3/27/1901; Pg. 4, Col. 1
5/28/1902; Pg. 3, Col. 1
7/2/1902; Pg. 3, Col. 1.
6/25/1902; Pg. 1, Col. 6
7/2/1902; Pg. 3, Col. 3
8/13/1902; Pg. 3, Col. 2
4/15/1903; Pg. 1, Col. 4
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