By Mick Woodcock 

Occasionally, one of the old newspaper articles is too good not to reprint. Just days before Christmas on December 22, 1876 the Arizona Weekly Miner published one of those. It describes the new brick building built for the local mercantile firm of C. P. Head & Co.. This store was located on the northeast corner of Gurley and Montezuma streets and stood there until destroyed by the fire of 1900, which burned much of Prescott's business district.

"A Splendid Establishment." This is what residents and visitors from elsewhere have remarked, upon looking at and through the great mercantile establishment of C. P. Head & Co., (the company being W. S. Head, brother to C. P. Head) which is situate on the northeast corner of Montezuma and Gurley streets, Prescott. The establishment is now complete, in all its parts, so we will endeavor to give such of our readers as have not seen it and its contents, an idea of both. 

"In the first place, we will state that the building is mainly constructed of stone, brick wood and iron. In dimensions it is 50x125 feet. The main salesroom, fronting on Montezuma and Gurley streets, is 25x100 feet; the front portion, east of the division wall is, as yet, unoccupied, back of it is a storeroom, for extras pertaining to the dry goods side of the house. In rear of this is the office, a large, fine room. The rear part of the building, or, in other words, a room 25x50 is used as a storeroom. Beneath the store is a stone cellar, 64x27. Back of all these, across the alley, is the company's new warehouse, a fine looking wooden building, in dimensions 22x53. The massive brick, mortar and tin; a splendid front with the date of erection in its proper place. On the south and east [sic] sides are porches sufficiently wide to give shelter to about 100 tons of goods. The walls of the building are very thick. Every opening in the entire building is protected by heavy iron doors and shutter, all of which, including, of course, the inside doors, have the latest and best burglar proof fastenings. A hay scales conveniently situated, is on this side. Upon entering, one is struck with the beauty, symmetry ond [sic] convenience of the entire concern with its beautifully grained and painted counters, shelving, drawers, etc., its pure white walls and ceiling, the magnificent display of costly articles, grouped around the walls and on the centre counters. Nothing approaching the Company's stock off dry goods, boots, shoes and ready made clothing, has ever before been exhibited in Arizona. Besides these, the establishment has full and complete lines of farming, agricultural and mining machinery, implements, etc., etc. In fact, the establishment has everything that can possibly be needed by our people; all ready and convenient for seller and purchaser. The cellar is filled from floor to ceiling, with liquors, cigars and other things too numerous to mention. 

"In purchasing the stock, care was taken in the selection thereof and we can safely say that the quality of the goods now held by the firm are A 1. The salesroom is lighted by 7 chandeliers, each one of which has three large lamps. The counter, shelving, office desks, drawers, railing, in fact all of the wood-work, is of Arizona wood. The offices are all separate from the crowded rooms. Robinson & Hill did the brickwork; Compbell [sic] & Parker the carpenter work and Vallentine and Winder the painting and graining, and better, handsomer work cannot well be done here or elsewhere. The large, thick, French plate glass of the front doors gives to the place a city look. But what is the use of particularizing, when we can "cover the ground" by stating that it is the finest, costliest and most convenient mercantile establishment in Arizona. The head of the firm, Col. C. P. Head, is the presiding genius of the place. Mr. E. J. Cook is at the helm in the office, while Messrs. Dawes & Clark circulate around the counters. A more polite, gentlemanly and painstaking force need not be desired by their army of customers. Mr. Wm. S. Head puts in most of his time at Camp Verde, where the company have a fine store and stock of goods. We need scarcely inform our readers that this enterprising firm have entire faith in the speedy development of the latent resources of this part of Arizona, and the building up of a great town here. Furthermore, they will do everything in their power to assist all worthy citizens in efforts to accomplish these purposes. This they have done in the past, to the fullest extent of their ability." 

This was not the first building, or site that the company occupied. Beginning with the June 8, 1872 issue of the Arizona Weekly Miner, C. P. Head & Co. had the following advertisement: 

"C. P. Head & Co. This firm has now a fine stock of goods, of every description, which they are selling very cheap. Owing to the absence of Col. Head and the arrival of their new goods, Mr. Marks, the junior partner, has not had time to make up an advertisement, but he wishes us to say to the people that his firm motto is to sell cheap." 

The November 30, 1872 Arizona Weekly Miner carried the following article: 

"C. P. Head & Co. are now installed in the brick store erected by D. Henderson & Bro., corner of Montezuma and Gurley streets, which store, with its contents, they have just purchased from Henderson & Bro., who are now settling up their accounts, preparatory to taking leave of us and going to California. As business men, the Henderson Bros. have been very successful, and we hope that the new firm, which has unlimited resources in goods and hard cash, will succeed equally as well." 

True to the article's hope, C. P. Head & Co. must have prospered to be able to afford to tear down a brick store building and have another constructed. Times were good in Prescott, Arizona Territory. 

(Mick Woodcock is the curator of history at the Sharlot Hall Museum) 




Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (bub8124p). Reuse only by permission.
In 1876, at the northeast corner of Gurley and Montezuma streets, the newly completed C.P. Head & Co. store had just opened. Along with the best selection of "boots, shoes and ready made clothing," one could find "farming, agricultural and mining machinery, implements" - all under a chandelier decorated ceiling.