The Masonic Temple is Built and Dedicated

Brand New Masonic Temple, 1908

“Provided present plans are carried out, within another year Prescott Masons may well claim to have the grandest and best appointed Masonic Temple in the Territory,” the Arizona Weekly Journal-Miner reported, “and another substantial building will be added to the many that now adorn both sides of North Cortez Street.” The Lodge, it was said, got “tired of paying rent and worrying with landlords…”

Disaster! Four Yavapai County Banks Fail on 11/25/1925

November 25, 1925, was a disastrous day in Yavapai County. Four banks suddenly and permanently closed their doors, and people’s deposits were frozen and unavailable—a mere month before Christmas!

Electricity Comes to Prescott...Gradually

When electricity arrived in Prescott, it was not immediately embraced. Instead, the illumination of the city came with fits and starts.

The Indian Uprising of 1872

The ruins of Camp Date Creek

From February through June 1872, Native Americans launched raiding attacks around and surprisingly close to Prescott. The newspapers were filled with accounts of Indian depredations during this time, and the citizenry was both frightened and filled with consternation.

Orders came from Washington to change the practice of largely shooting Indians on sight to one of feeding and educating them instead. Initially, however,  the Indians, many of whom were starving, became emboldened and started to attack.

1921-23: Downtown Prescott Becomes Modernized

“Yesterdays in Prescott are memorable for their mud, their amiable let-it-alone [attitude] and their slow fight to weld public opinion into a lever,” the paper editorialized in 1922. “Tomorrow, Prescott will be a city, beautifully located, clean, sightly, and well cared for. Today, Prescott is in its period of transition. 

“By fall, at least, this city will have been transformed. No longer will its charm consist only of the scenic setting, the beauty of its women, and the open-hearted hospitality of its citizens. It will have the city touch.” 

1932: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Visits Prescott

It was late September 1932, and in a little more than a month, the United States would be choosing a new President. That man would be Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

At this time, he was traveling to Arizona to get a little rest and relaxation at the Greenway Ranch in Williams. Yet his popularity and his position would mix some work with his pleasure. The Arizona Democrats were meeting in Phoenix, and FDR was compelled to attend.

From there, on his way to Williams, Roosevelt’s train would stop in Prescott to meet an exceptionally large, well-wishing crowd.

The Lost History of Howey Hall

For decades, the history of what was once an iconic building on the Plaza lay veiled. It was known as Howey Hall, and it stood in service to Prescott for over 80 years.

The reason for this lack of history was a lack of ink in surviving newspapers. This was because of a bit of a grudge held by Miner editor, Charles Beach, who “was most unhappy…because of the fact that (Howey Hall) productions were advertised by placard rather than the newspaper.” However, Beach did feel compelled to print a dozen words or so about community events held there. These lay buried in the dusty columns for over a century until the power of 21st-century newspaper search engines brought these nuggets to light. Together, they bring into focus the important community role Howey Hall held in Prescott.

The Rocky Road That Brought the Rough Rider Monument

As soon as news reached Prescott of William “Buckey” O’Neill’s death in Cuba during the Spanish-American War, one of his closest friends, MJ Hickey, was inspired to see that a memorial to the late sheriff and mayor be made in his hometown. This idea of a memorial would quickly grow into a monument, and its journey from conception to inception would grow monumental as well.

1919: Growth Causes Prescott to Run Out of Water

Old City Dam, 1920s

By the time summer came along, water pressure had consistently fallen so low that everyone was required to boil it. Unfortunately, that did nothing to relieve its foul smell.

1921: The Birth of the Smoki People

As the end of the 20th century approached, Smoki ceremonies, performed by Anglos disguised as Native Americans, became increasingly controversial and were finally discontinued. 

However, the first of their performances was held as fundraisers to save the cash-strapped Frontier Days, and was called the “Way Out West” show. In these, the Smoki were only a portion of the festivities.

Arizona's First Masons Helped Steer Early Prescott

Charter for Aztlan Lodge No. 1

It is difficult today to understand the social gravity and importance of fraternal organizations in the 19th century. These were the places where "networking" occurred. Generally, each fraternal organization represented a particular group of socio-economic class or trade.

The Masons were the business owners, lawyers, doctors, and politicians.

Indeed, organizing a Masonic Lodge in Prescott (the Territory's first) was considered so important that one was quickly established before the appearance of a denominational church!

Prescott's Goldwater Store: "The Best Always" from 1876-1978

For over a century, Goldwater's general merchandise store not only offered the staples of life but also brought first-class merchandise of elegance and good taste to Prescott.

Although its tenure in this city started in 1876, the Goldwaters had been merchants in Arizona starting in the early days of Anglo history, 1862--passing on the business to each generation.

When the family first arrived in the territory, it was not to become merchants, but rather freighters. "Michael Goldwater was quick to see the possibilities of what was to become Arizona. He established himself and his family in the thriving town of La Paz and settled into a busy life as a freighter."

Downtown Store Windows in the 1800s

A trip to downtown Prescott in the 19th century often included a gander into the store windows. Generally, merchants would display the very latest arrivals to their stock, but this wasn't always the case.

Fortunately, the newspaper was keen to mention what was being displayed at stores--particularly when those same stores were regular advertisers. These mentions offer insight into what a 19th-century visitor to Prescott would see as he walked around the square.

Prescott's "Man of (Her First) Century"

Morris Goldwater 1852-1939

The year was 1964, and Prescott was celebrating its first centennial. As part of the celebration, it was decided to choose a "Man of the Century." That choice was Morris Goldwater.

When looking at the man's resume of civic service, it is hard to imagine that anyone of any future century could come close to what Morris Goldwater accomplished in helping make Prescott an urban municipality. 

In its early years, Prescott struggled to grow from a backwater mining town to a civilized city, and whenever Morris Goldwater saw a need for Prescott, he would set out to accomplish it himself.

"In addition to operating one of the most important stores in town, he served as the city’s mayor for a total of 20 years (over a 48-year period, from 1879 to 1927)." (*1)