By James F. Vivian

(This Tuesday, December 7, 2010 marks the 69th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. The following article tells of the christening of the ship over 95 years ago.)

Four young women graced the official platform at the launching of the USS Arizona in June, 1915. Two of them, Esther Ross and Eva Behn, were ‘Prescott girls.’ Ross performed the actual christening while Behn stood engagingly to her side holding a flower bouquet.

By Parker Anderson

The Elks Opera House, or rather, the Elks’ Theatre as it was universally being called in the 1920s, was predominantly a movie theater, although manager Charles Born did let local civic organizations use it to hold fund-raising events from time to time.

By Fr. Jack Wolter

The return of the Territorial Capital to Prescott from Tucson back in 1877 was followed a year later by the arrival of the fifth Territorial Governor John Charles Fremont and his family. For the next three years, they rented a simple Victorian house originally built in 1875 by William "Zed" Wilson located at the southwest corner of East Gurley and Marina streets (site of the current Carnegie Library building next to the Elks Theater). This house has been known through the years as the "Fremont House."

By Fr. Jack Wolter

In 1868, the General Convention of the Episcopal Church U.S.A. elected the Right Reverend Ozi William Whitaker as Bishop of the Territories of Nevada and Arizona. Twelve years later, he reported that the number of congregations increased from three to ten, served by seven clergymen. Early records show that there were a number of Episcopalians at the U.S. Army post at Fort Whipple who desired the ministrations of the church and would attend occasional services of Holy Communion or Evening Prayer conducted by itinerant Episcopal clergymen at the Baptist Meeting House in Prescott.

By Dr. Ted Finkelston and Edited by Kathy Krause

(Originally written by Dr. Ted Finkelston and published in two parts on November 12 & 19, 2005.  The following article was condensed and edited by Kathy Krause.)

World War I was raging in Europe when the Selective Service Act of 1917 required all men 21-30 years of age to register for the "Draft." In 1918, it was expanded to all men 18-45. Local draft boards were appointed throughout the U. S. and the eligible men registered at their voting precincts and received numbered draft cards. A lottery conducted in Washington D.C. periodically determined the men chosen from each locality for induction into the U. S. Army.

By Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby

(Editor’s Note: The “Horribles,” a group of fun-loving Prescott men, had fantastic, outlandish costumes and put on hilarious literary and musical presentations. Their performances were greatly anticipated each Fourth of July on the Plaza. The following is a continuation of their antics as presented previously in Days Past articles by Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby.)

By Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby

(Editor’s Note: One usually connects costumes with Halloween. But, back in the late 1800s, a group of Prescott men called the “Horribles” dressed up in elaborate costumes and entertained the people of Prescott. They found that the July 4th parade was a perfect venue for their antics. They were a smashing success from their first appearance in 1881. Their costumes were innovative and handmade, putting most of today’s Halloween costumes to shame. The following represents combined, previously published Days Past articles by Ken Edwards and Richard Gorby.)

By Tom Collins

The 16th Territorial Governor, Joseph H. Kibbey, kicked off the 24th Territorial Legislature in 1907 by demanding the abolishment of gambling which he viewed not only as a public evil but also an impediment to statehood for Arizona. He knew he had to improve the territory’s wild reputation before that goal could be accomplished. Two members of the Territorial Council (the upper house) followed Kibbey’s lead by introducing anti-gambling bills.

By Tom Collins

For over four decades (1864-1907) Prescott was a gambler’s paradise. The numerous saloons on Whiskey Row offered not only plenty of liquor, good food and musical entertainment, but also games of faro, poker, keno and the inevitable slot machines.

By Parker Anderson

In 1889, Father Alfred Quetu, pictured last week, came to Prescott to take over Sacred Heart Parish. This would become a turning point for the church in Prescott, as Father Quetu did more to strengthen the local church than any of his predecessors had done.