Its name could be confusing to modern readers. It was a large hall in the city, so the owner, George W Curtis, named it “City Hall”. However, make no mistake, Prescott’s municipal government had nothing to do with it and never used it.
Curtis was an interesting and enterprising pioneer. He was one of only three (back then) Yavapai County Supervisors. He was also Secretary of the local Masons and a trustee for the Benjamin Gold & Silver Mining Company. He would obtain other mining interests as well, but his major source of income was from sawmills that he had in partnership with AO Noyes. They received many large contracts for lumber from the military, as well as other builders, and also did a lucrative business in shingles, producing millions of linear feet of lumber.
Curtis had several lots on McCormick Street, which was not yet improved. Still, Curtis built a beautiful house on it and got married to Mrs. Annie Conn in 1877.
He erected a fence around his new dwelling, “and made other valuable improvements on several lots” adjacent to it, the Weekly Arizona Miner observed. Indeed, over the course of several months, the paper made note of his progress without revealing the goal.
Curtis also built the portion of McCormick Street in front of his property, and the newspaper commended him for the excellent job of grading. “[This] will be a great convenience,” it wrote. But the expediency was not just for Curtis alone; he was building a business on his adjacent lots based on a new craze—a roller skating rink.
Roller-skates have been around since the middle of the 18th century, but were re-invented in 1863 by James Plimpton. His skates introduced the 4-wheel, 2 independent axle design that allowed for turning and maneuverability.
The first mention of a large event there was a High School dance that Curtis hosted for free. Parents were also invited. It turned out to be an astute marketing ploy as people learned how much fun roller-skating could be. The review of the event was glowing.
The introduction of lectures was the beginning of its use as an “event center.” The Methodist Church South seems to be the first to rent the rink for a this purpose.
Another discourse was given, entitled “The Frauds of the Senator Mill and Mining Company.” The 50-cent admission would be about $31 today.
Many concerts, lectures, plays, and recitals were performed at the City Hall. Fraternal organizations and churches rented it out. Indeed, the Weekly Arizona Miner wrote, “we were about to forget that Mr. Curtis offers the City Hall for a party in the evening for a nominal sum.”
In 1878, the biggest event was a July 4th party, which was well attended. However, Curtis had ambitious plans for the building. In mid-July, he began remodeling the City Hall to make it suitable for the theater. “Work on the City Hall will commence next Monday,” the paper explained. “Then Prescott will have two large theatrical halls.” Carpenters literally raised the roof on the structure. The scenery was painted on backdrops by CB Lovell.
The first theatrical troupe performed “several very interesting plays,” and the paper’s review was enthusiastic. “We are glad to say that the first entertainment proved a success in every particular.”
This remodel also included the creation of a “Governor’s Room” where at least one person was laid in state. Curtis also built a lunchroom inside that was open “at all hours.”
One man desired to open a “first-class swimming bath in Prescott. His idea is to lease the City Hall on McCormick Street, sink a well and put a windmill near it, and place inside a large tank,” the paper announced. Hours would be set for ladies only, men only, and “a time each day for all who desire to join in a general swim in full bathing dress. The novelty of seeing water enough to swim in should induce our people to patronize an institution of this kind.” However, it never came to fruition.
Many holidays spawned balls, dinners, dances, and parties, including New Year's, Washington’s birthday, St. Patrick’s day, May Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Thanksgiving.
One unique event was a “walking match” for a purse of $100 (over $33,000 today). The race would last 48 hours, and the man who traveled the farthest would win the purse. Admission was 25 cents. However, after 32 hours, both men decided to rest and ended up sleeping the remaining 16 hours! The winner, a substitute man named Hemminger, walked four miles more than his opponent.
Another special event was a Merchant’s Carnival, sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Forty-five local businesses participated, and entertainment was included. The profits were allocated to the church’s building fund.
In 1879, An Art Exhibition “showing scenes moral, historical, picturesque and humorous” was planned, and was advertised as being quite lengthy. Unfortunately, the paper reported that it “was not largely attended.”
In December 1879, Curtis made several improvements to City Hall in preparation for a large regional Masonic ball. The dining hall was portioned off, stoves were placed at each end, and the dancing floor was ”dressed over.”
Also, that year, one judge moved his court into the City Hall as the bell tower on the Old County Courthouse was being repaired.
1880 was an election year, and in preparation, Curtis erected a flagpole that was 54 feet high and 8.5 inches in diameter. He ordered a giant 14x12-foot American flag from San Francisco to celebrate the 4th of July.
In May, the Democratic Central Committee held a meeting to make arrangements for a County Convention on June 20th at the City Hall. The Republicans also held their county convention at the City Hall on July 24th.
The Republicans also held their county convention at the City Hall on July 24th, which was described as a Grand Rally and included “fireworks on an extensive scale, torchlight processions, and speeches,” the Arizona Miner described.
After the election, Curtis made extensive repairs and remodeling to host the 1880 Territorial Legislature.
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In 1885, both Prescott’s militia companies decided to share the rent at the City Hall. It was stated that the Hall was the “best place in the city for drill purposes.”
The 1st Congregational Church of Prescott held its services there from 1887 to 1889.
By 1890, Prescott’s population increased enough to require additional space for the school district, and the board rented space in City Hall for three classes. “The number of children of children of school age in Prescott has increased so much that additional room for their education is an absolute necessity,” the paper declared.
In September 1892, “The City Hall [was] overhauled, repaired and altered preparatory for use as a school building,” the Miner reported. “New outbuildings, fences, etc., have also been built.”
In October, “final arrangements for the transfer of the City Hall property to the school district has been consummated, and the trustees will commence in a few days making [further] necessary alterations to the building to adapt it foe school purposes,” the paper announced. “In addition to the building, nearly half a block of property is included in the sale.”
From a roller-rink to a school. That was the history of the “City Hall.”
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SOURCES:
Weekly Arizona Miner:
6/14/1878, Pg. 4, Col. 1. 1/12/1877, Pg. 3. 3/2/1877, Pg. 3. 3/16/1877, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 7/13/1877, Pg. 3. 6/14/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 5. 6/21/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 7/5/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 7/19/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 2. 7/19/1878, Pg. 4, Col. 2. 8/9/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 7/26/1878, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 8/23/1878, Pg. 1, Col. 6. 3/21/1879, Pg. 1, Col. 7. 5/16/1879, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 1/20/1886, Pg. 3, Col. 7. 5/30/1879, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 8/15/1879, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 8/15/1879, Pg. 4, Col. 1. 1/20/1886, Pg. 3, Col. 7. 5/2/1879, Pg. 4, Col. 1. 11/17/1886, Pg. 2, Col. 6. 3/16/1887, Pg. 2. 10/13/1886 P3, Col. 2. 5/25/1887, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 11/17/1886, Pg. 2, Col. 6. 5/29/1889, Pg. 1, Col. 4. 12/30/1881, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 7/15/1891, Pg. 3, Col. 4. 7/22/1891, Pg. 3, Col. 1-2. 10/3/1879, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 10/10/1879, Pg. 4, Col. 1. 12/19/1879, Pg. 3, Col. 2. 6/5/1885, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 8/14/1885, Pg. 4, Col. 2. 7/2/1880, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 5/28/1880, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 7/23/1880, Pg. 3, Col. 3. 10/15/1880, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 8/10/1887, Pg. 1. 12/24/1880, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 9/17/1890, Pg. 3, Col. 1. 6/10/1890, Pg. 4, Col. 1. 7/30/1890, Pg. 4, Col. 2. 9/7/1892, Pg. 3, Col. 4.
8/5/1891, Pg. 2. 10/14/1891, Pg. 3, Col. 5.
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