When pressed for information about the rich history of Prescott, Arizona, most residents could probably tell you that the town served as the Capital of the Arizona Territory. They’d also tell you that Prescott hosts the World’s Oldest Rodeo, which has been an annual event every 4th of July weekend since 1888. What they may not know, however, is that the name “Prescott” wasn’t even one of the original proposals when naming the city. Let’s take a few minutes to explore some of the storied history of Prescott.
“A rose by any other name…”
When the site for Prescott was originally selected in 1864, it was intended to replace Fort Whipple as the Territorial Capital of Arizona. Three names were initially proposed, “Audubon,” “Aztlan,” and “Goodwin City,” the last of those in honor of Arizona Territorial Governor John Noble Goodwin. Ultimately, the name “Prescott” was chosen in honor of William H. Prescott, a historian widely recognized to have been the first American scientific historian.
The name “Goodwin” stuck… sort of
While the city may not be named after him, John Goodwin’s name should still be familiar to all of Prescott’s residents: Downtown’s Goodwin Street bears it. He’s not the only governor to have a street in the Historic Downtown named after him either. Goodwin’s predecessor, a man appointed by President Abraham Lincoln, was named John A. Gurley.
There’s a story behind our famous statue
Not all of Downtown Prescott is original
While you can still see the territory’s original Gubernatorial Mansion (built in 1864) as part of the Sharlot Hall Museum, Downtown Prescott lost four acres, including the original courthouse plaza and much of Whiskey Row, to fires late in the 19th century. This inspired residents at the time to rebuild with brick and helped revitalize the city’s economy after mining in the area ceased being a prime economic driver.
Prescott was the Territorial Capital for 3 years, and 12
Shifting political influences in the Arizona Territory led the legislature to move the capital several times in just a few short years. Prescott served as the capital from 1864 to 1867, when the capital was moved to Tucson, and again from 1877 to 1889, at which point Phoenix was made the permanent capital.
You can grab a historic drink Downtown
Every town has its own unique history, but not many wear it so proudly as Prescott. From Courthouse Square, to the Victorian architecture dotting Downtown, to the Sharlot Hall and Phippen Museums, Prescott is steeped in the history and heritage of the Old West. Whether it’s having a pint at The Palace or enjoying the World’s Oldest Rodeo, we’d like to invite you to join us in celebrating Prescott’s history. After all, we are “Everybody’s Hometown.”