By Jean Cross

Though the Town of Prescott Valley is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of Incorporation this year, its history is much older, about ten million years older. It was that long ago that 'Glassford Hill' erupted and spewed the surrounding area with its lava rocks known as basalt. Then ten thousand years ago or so, mammoth roamed 'Lonesome Valley.' In 1983, a hiker walking the Agua Fria Wash near 89A discovered large bones protruding from the banks of the wash and realized these were not cattle bones.

After notifying Sharlot Hall Museum of the find, an excavation was begun, during which mammoth bones and teeth, alone with prehistoric horse and camel bones were extracted, and now reside in the museum's collection department. 

Between about 1000 AD and 1350 AD, people of the Prescott Culture occupied the valley. Evidence of their existence is found in the numerous ruins that dot the valley and surrounding areas. Notable among these is the Fitzmaurice Ruin, now a part of Fain Park. This dwelling consisted of twenty-seven rooms built into the slopes in a stair step fashion as well as twenty-four outlying one- and two-room pueblos and pit houses. Such a habitation is rather unique in this area as pit houses were a more common type of dwelling. Because of this, it is thought to have been a regional center where neighboring groups congregated at special times. Though their pottery was rather plain, it was well made of native clays and consisted mainly of utilitarian wares. The site was ideal as it is located on a raised area above the waters of Lynx Creek. Abundant game and building materials furnished the inhabitants with the necessities of life: water, food and shelter. 

The coming of the miners to the area in the 19th Century brought about more changes. Their presence, along with the establishment of Prescott as the territorial capital, necessitated the establishment of Fort Whipple. In turn, ranchers and farmers arrived to supply the miners and the army with food. Lonesome Valley, with its wide open ranges established itself as a rancher's dream. 

It was at this time that Thomas Barlow Massicks arrived in the area, hired by a British mining company, to carry on mining operations along Lynx Creek. Being a rather debonair gentleman, he erected a Victorian home along the creek. It became known as "The Castle". Though his activities were short lived due to his early death resulting from an accidental gunshot wound, mining continued along the creek and gold panners can still be found there today. 

As "Lonesome Valley" appealed to the ranchers and miners, it also lured early developers. The Prescott Valley, Inc. of the 1960s, under the leadership of Ned Warren and his sons-in-law, began promoting development in the Midwest and other areas where people were looking for that "ideal retirement home." Unfortunately, these promoters were not altogether honest in their advertisements and many buyers were duped, finding themselves subjects of land scams. 

But, in spite of it all, Prescott Valley survived and is the booming town of the 21st century. Incorporation became a reality in 1978, and the Valley has become the focal point of developers, manufacturers and retailers. Prescott Valley is a region with a rich history and a bright future. 

To acquaint its residents with this history, the Prescott Valley Historical Society is conducting tours of the historic sites in the Fain Park area each 4th Sunday during this year of the celebration of its 25th Anniversary of Incorporation. The tours begin at the Fain Chapel at 2 p.m., where Chapel Coordinator Tony Church conducts a tour of the chapel with its beautiful stained glass windows. An overview of PV history follows, led by Jean Cross and Jerry Munderloh, President and Vice-President of the PVHS, respectively. The group will then be led to a point overlooking the Fitzmaurice Ruin and the "Castle," with informative talks about both locations. The next point of interest is across the dam where work is being done to restore the ditch and pipeline that brought water to the area for hydraulic mining years ago. A mining exhibit, including a restored stamp mill, concludes the tour. Participants may wish to traverse the trail for the blind, a bird watch area and a nature walk. The next tour will be held on May 25, 2003, at 2 p.m. 

(Jean Cross is the President of the Prescott Valley Historical Society.) 

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number:(inpr1410pd)
Reuse only by permission.
In 1936, a tour was conducted to the Fitzmaurice Ruin just south of what is now Prescott Valley. When inhabited about a thousand years ago, this dwelling consisted of twenty-seven rooms built into the slope in stair step fashion with twenty-four outlying one- and two-room pueblos and pit houses.