Prescott "Firsts"

The first Governor's Mansion

Prescott "Firsts"

Prescott is widely known as Arizona's First Territorial Capital.

Here are some other "firsts" surrounding Prescott and Yavapai County history.

Click on the TITLE of the article you wish to see:

Prescott's First Building

The colorful history of "Fort Misery". The first building in Prescott would become the oldest surviving log cabin in Arizona.

Prescott's 1st Ordinances Reveal the Charm of a Small Village
Prescott, Arizona's first two ordinances (passed May 12, 1873) reveal a charming time when things were much simpler and the village was much smaller.

Arizona’s First Telegraph Pole Was Erected at Ft. Whipple

The story of the advent of the telegraph in Arizona, its affects, and a mysterious, perhaps lost, time capsule.

Arizona's First Brick Building

The story of the first brick building in the Arizona Territory (erected in Prescott) and what became of it.

1912: Come to Prescott's First Chautauqua!
The true story of the first chautauqua ever held in Prescott, AZ in June, 1912. Also included is a brief description of the chautauqua movement.

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.

1916: The Plaza's (& Arizona's) First Christmas Tree
The delightful and heartwarming story of the first Christmas tree ever erected on the Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, AZ. in 1916. It was also the first municipal tree in the State of Arizona.

1895: Prescott's First Football Game Hosted Phoenix

The story of the first football game ever played in Prescott, Arizona against Phoenix and how the early game differed from the game today.

Teddy's Rough Riders Originated in Prescott

The true story of how Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders first started in Prescott, Arizona!

The Whacky 1910 Prescott to Phoenix Automobile Race
The Running of the FIRST Arizona Gazette Auto Race: Prescott to Phoenix

The Surprising Adventures of Arizona's First Boy Scouts

The story of the founding and the surprising early history of Arizona's first Boy Scouts in Prescott.

Arizona Pioneers' Home: A Gibraltar of Civic Pride
The early history of the unique Arizona Pioneers Home in Prescott including why and how it was built. 

Birth of Watson Lake Brought Great Celebration

The birth of Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona brought a region-wide celebration. It was originally intended to irrigate grain crops!

America's First Chieftess Was a Yavapai

The intriguing biography of Viola Jimulla, the first woman chief in America. She lead the Prescott Yavapai Tribe through one of there lowest times by relying on her Christian faith.

Arizona's First Carnegie Library
The account of the first Carnegie Library in Arizona. It was brought to Prescott, AZ by a group of educated women called The Monday Club.

1903: First Automobile Drives Into Prescott
True story of the first automobile to drive into Prescott, AZ in 1903 and the city's reaction.

Arizona's First Masons Helped Steer Early Prescott
The early history of Arizona's first Masonic Lodge located in Prescott highlighting Morris Goldwater's role.

The Adventures of Prescott's First Motorcycle Club
The early history and races of the Yavapai County Motorcycle Club founded in Prescott, AZ in 1911. 

World’s Oldest Rodeo Was Not Yavapai County’s First

The story of the first rodeo in Yavapai County which occurred in Williamson Valley 4 weeks prior to Prescott’s World’s Oldest Rodeo.

Payson’s ‘Oldest Continuous Rodeo’ Claim Proven False

A close look at historical newspaper records proves that Prescott, AZ holds the world’s oldest continuous rodeo, not Payson.