Prescott – Everybody's Home

Virgil Earp was a lawman there and Doc Holliday called Prescott home for a time. All of them sat in the saloon, at the bar, pictured below. Prescott is your typical Old West town and was therefore, just recently, elected #4 among True West Magazine’s 2020 Top Western Towns. There are many reminders, especially along "Whiskey Row" - with its famous strip of saloons including the Palace – and around the Courthouse Square, of the wild old days.



Besides there is the new Western Heritage Center (pics below), the Sharlot Hall Museum, Arizona Territory’s first governor’s residence, Fort Whipple, the Phippen Museum (Western art).

Prescott was founded in 1864 as the Territorial Capital of Arizona. The Capital moved to Tucson from 1867 to 1877 and permanently to Phoenix in 1889. Mining (gold and copper) was the main industry, followed by a rapid growth of cattle ranching. Many of the neighborhoods, e.g. along Senator Hwy., still showcase the wealth and taste of people with beautiful houses in diverse Victorian architectural styles from around 1900.






In 1900 a disastrous fire destroyed a lot of downtown Prescott and many buildings were replaced by concrete, brick and stone buildings. Today, the city is florishing thanks to its "healthful" climate, which many retired snowbirds appreciate. Situated about 5.300 ft. high with cool nights and seasons invite people to spend time here and families from Phoenix often have summer homes. Lots of hot rods and classic cars on the streets in downtown, many affluent people in the area!

We had a fantastic tour with Tour Prescott, two young guys who bought a parking lot and rent it out to foodtrucks and give tours at the same time. They not only showed us around town - including the rodeo arena (Prescott Rodeo is considered the "World's Oldest Rodeo" from 1888), but also introduced us to the beautiful landscape around. All is situated very close to the city and easily reachable, lots of outdoor sports possible: hiking, boating, climbing,,,

Other stopps on our tour were the "moonscape" of Granite Dells und Watson Lake,

,,, Goldwater Lake, Thumb Bute and Granite Mountain (photos below). Great views everywhere, partly all the way to Flagstaff (unfortunately it was a bit hazy). Big advantage of Prescott is its great location, its climate and the air quality compared to "The (Phoenix) Valley". And, its only about 2 hours away!