Sazerac Saloon – The Gem of Gurley Street

By Lucas Shaw
Rivaling all the early Prescott drinking establishments for prominence and longevity was the Sazerac Saloon, which occupied prominent locations across from the plaza on Gurley Street from 1872 until the great fire of 1900 reduced the saloon to ashes.
 
Established by early Prescott pioneer Fred Williams in February 1872, it went under the unimaginative name of "Fred Williams' Saloon." Its original location was one door west of the single-story  Levi Bashford’s mercantile store on Gurley Street. Early reports describe it as “the handsomest saloon in Prescott” and an “orderly place.” By 1874 Williams’ saloon was known as the "Sazerac Saloon," distinguishing itself with “fine chaste pictures” and supplying “the ‘boys’ with that which cheers but does not intoxicate” — an appeal to soldiers and officers from Fort Whipple to visit often, but not raise hell while in town.

Read More