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Prescott Tidbits
Prescott, Az
Prescott is the county seat of Yavapai County. In 1864, Fort Whipple was replaced by Prescott as the Capital of Arizona Territory. In 1867, the Capital was moved to Tucson and in 1877 Prescott again became the Capital. In 1889, Phoenix was named the capital. The Quad City known locally comprises of the towns of Prescott valley, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt and Prescott. It is also generally referred to Central Yavapai County which includes the towns of Mayer, Paulden, Wilhoit and Williamson Valley. Prescott is the centre of the Prescott Metropolitan Area. Within the borders of Prescott is located the Yavapai Prescott Indian Tribe.
History Of Prescott
John Noble Goodwin, the Arizona Territorial Governor selected the original site of Prescott on his first tour of the new territory. Governor John A. Gurley appointed by Abraham Lincoln was replaced by Goodwin but died before taking office. To honour each of them, downtown streets in Prescott are named after them. 20 miles from the south of temporary capital on the east side of Granite Creek, Goodwin selected a site near some mining camps. On May 30, 1864, the territorial capital was moved to the new site along with Fort Whipple and the new town was named after Historian William H. Prescott to honour him in a public meeting. The new community was surveyed by Robert W. Groom and an auction sold 73 lots on June, 1864. Around 230 lots were sold by July 1864 in the new community. in 1880, Prescott was officially incorporated.
In November 1, 1867, the capital was moved to Tucson by the act of 4th Arizona Territorial Legislature. By the 9th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the capital again returned to Prescott. By the 15th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the capital was finally moved to Phoenix in February, 1889.
In the early part of the Century there were several major fires, after which Downtown Prescott was rebuilt with Bricks. On June 30, 2013 19 members of the Granite mountain Hotshots, part of the fire department lost their lives while battling the Yarned Hill Fire. The Central Courthouse is a gathering and a meeting place. During summer many Cultural events and performances take place on many nights in the plaza. In 1964, Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee of the President launched his Presidential Campaign from the Yavapai County Courthouse.
Climatic Conditions In Prescott
Prescott is located at an elevation of 5,400 feet. The Annual precipitation is around 17 inches on average. The spring and early summer are the driest times of the year. Snowfall is less and usually snow cover melts away quickly. The average seasonal total is around 12 inches. During the monsoon season from July to September sees the largest portion of precipitation. Daytime temperatures remain above the average of 10 deg Celsius, but diurnal temperature is large throughout the year at around 17 deg Celsius average. 36 days in a year sees average temperature of about 32 deg Celsius and temperatures more than 38 deg Celsius are rare. The freezing temperatures are seen in the average season of October through May.
In 1999 to 2009, due to the lack of snow in the Bradshaw Mountains, there was severe drought. Local creeks do not have water except after the rare rains. The lakes were reported as full at the start of 2007. In 2005 to 2006 the winter had snowfall less than 3 inches, compared to an average of 22 inches.
Economy And Culture
Prescott's first shopping mall is the Frontier village centre, opened in 1991 offering shopping, dining and entertainment. In 2002 the Prescott Gateway mall replaced Frontier village as the Prescott's major shopping centre. In Downtown Prescott there are dozens of independently owned and operated shops.
There are many Victorian Style homes in Prescott. On the National Register of Historic Places almost 809 buildings are from Prescott. Prescott has the downtown historical area known as the Whiskey Row which was a notorious red light district until 1956. Most of the buildings in the Whiskey row were destroyed because of a great fire in 1900, which includes Hotel Burke, which was advertised as the only fireproof building in Prescott. The Arizona Pioneer's home, a continuing care retirement home is situated in Prescott, which is funded and operated by the State of Arizona.
Prescott is known for a western and Cowboy feel and is also the home for Prescott College, a small liberal arts college just west of the downtown area that emphasizes environmental and social justice. The Prescott college has the catalyst info shop, karma farms, a local farmers market and many other establishments.
Prescott has become a recovery destination for many people. It is among the top locations in the nation for recovery help and makes an addiction free life. There are many recovery and rehab centres in Prescott. There are more than 150 groups providing houses for those in recovery programs.
Festivals And Major Events
The annual events that are hosted in Prescott are the Frontier Days, the World's oldest Rodeo, Easter Egg Stravaganza, the Bluegrass festival, Earth Day, July 4 Celebration, Tsunami on the Square, art festivals, Cinco de mayo celebration, Navajo Rug Auction, Pumpkin Patch Carnival, Prescott film festival, Folk Arts Fair, Parades, the Acker Music Festival, Cowboy poets gathering, Prescott highland games, Courthouse lighting, whiskey off road and Ragnar Relay Del Sol. Historic Whiskey row saw the inaugural Prescott Boot Drop to usher in the New year's eve on 2012 New year.
Transportation In Prescott
Ernest A. Love Field, a municipal airport is located 7 miles north of the downtown courthouse. Local transit services are provided by Prescott Transit Authority, a private company. It also provides intercity service to Phoenix. Some private companies provide airport shuttles to Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport. Arizona state route 89A, Arizona state route 69 and Arizona state route 89 are the three main thoroughfares in and around Prescott. 89A connects Sedona and Cottonwood to Northern Prescott. Route 69 connects with Prescott valley to the east. Route 89 connects Prescott with Chino Valley and Paulden to the north.
