History of Prescott
GOLD - Its discovery in 1861 brought national attention to what later became the Territory of Arizona. These discoveries drew the attention of President Abraham Lincoln who was looking for possible sources of funding for the North during the Civil War. Arizona became a Territory February 24, 1863. John Goodwin, the first Territorial governor, established Prescott as the first Territorial capital, and Robert Groom and a partner began the work of laying out the current downtown streets.

Prescott developed rapidly, and in 1865 it was described as being built exclusively of wood and inhabited almost entirely by Americans. Both of these facts made it unique among early communities in Arizona. Prescott lost its title as the Capital of Arizona to Tucson and finally to Phoenix in 1889. In 1900 a devastating fire burned a large portion of downtown Prescott to the ground. Many of the build-ins you see today were rebuilt following the fire.

Today many of Prescott’s residential streets are lined with tall trees and pitched-roof frame houses, including turreted Victorians. Prescott has over 700 homes and businesses listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and its granite courthouse (pictured above) set among green lawns and spreading trees reflects the Midwestern and New England background of Prescott’s early pioneers.

Community

Prescott, Arizona "Everybody's Hometown" and "Arizona's Christmas City"

Location | Elevation & Climate | Population | Colleges & Universities | Government

Location

Prescott is located in Arizona’s central mountains; four mild seasons offer just enough variation to make the weather interesting. Prescott is located 96 miles northwest of Phoenix and 90 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. The city was established in 1864, incorporated in 1881 and is the seat of government for Yavapai County. The city is named in honor of noted historian William Hickling Prescott.

Elevation & Climate

5,347 ft.

Mile high Prescott has an ideal four-season climate, mountain breezes keeping summer time temperatures from reaching the grueling levels of Phoenix. Daytime temperatures rarely exceed 85 degrees, and winter days are filled with sunshine. Humidity is a moderate 45% year-round. July marks Prescott’s monsoon season with cool afternoon thunderstorms.

Population

Prescott reflects many cultures; among these are Native American, Hispanic and Anglo. Anglos comprise 88.2% of the population base.
1950 | 6,764
1960 | 12,861
1970 | 13,134
1980 | 20,055
1990 | 26,455
2000 | 33,938

College & Universities

Yavapai College | 1000 E. Sheldon St., Prescott AZ 86301 | (928) 445-7300 | www.yavapai.cc.az.us

Prescott College | 220 Grove Ave., Prescott AZ 86301 | (928) 778-2090 | www.prescott.edu

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | 3200 Willow Creek Rd. Prescott AZ 86301 | (928) 778-3800 | www.erau.edu

Northern Arizona University Extension | www.nau.edu

Northcentral University | 505 W Whipple St., Prescott AZ 86301 | (928) 541-7777 | www.ncu.edu

Government

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