By Pat Atchison 

The flu. Nobody wants it. Everyone tries to keep from getting it. We have all used it as a reason for missing work, school or a meeting.  In the fall of 1918, an influenza epidemic struck the United States with a force that was never again equaled. It had raged through Europe in May, June and July before reaching the U.S. Commonly called "Spanish Influenza," its place of origin was never officially determined.

Victims had the usual flu symptoms including chills due to fevers that ranged from 100 to 104 degrees. Once the fever passed, usually in three to four days, the patient recovered. However, in many cases, complications arose which often resulted in death.

Residents of Prescott received word that relatives living elsewhere had died as a result of the epidemic. In Arizona, Bisbee and Globe were hard hit. While out breaks of Influenza occurred throughout the state and nation, Prescott seemed immune to the disease. 

On October 3, 1918, an article appeared in the Prescott Journal Miner stating that eight cases of Spanish Flu had developed at Ft. Whipple within a contingent of invalid soldiers, which had come from Camp Dodge, Iowa. By the next day, there were five more cases. October 8th brought news that the disease had spread to the enlisted men. Ft. Whipple was quarantined, prohibiting civilian visitors from entering the grounds. 

Despite the preventive measures in force at Ft. Whipple, citizens of Prescott were falling ill. On October 8th, the city health officer issued an order stating that until further notice no public gathering of any sort was to be allowed in the city. The Chief of Police, therefore, ordered that all schools, churches, lodges and "picture shows" be closed. Bold headlines announced on October 10th that, "ALL POOL HALLS IN COUNTY ARE ORDERED SHUT." All music in places where dancing occurred was ordered discontinued. The Northern Arizona Fair, in Prescott, and the State Fair, in Phoenix, were both canceled. 
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Preventive measures were announced. The State Health Department issued notice that, "all dishes used in public eating houses and all drinking glasses in use at soda fountains, root beer stands, etc. must be thoroughly scalded each time after being used." All persons employed in public places were ordered to wear masks. 

During the week before October 17th, over 6,000 deaths were reported nationally. Towns surrounding Prescott were hard-hit. Mining towns, the poor and non-English speaking communities were especially devastated. 

Prescott was placed under a full quarantine in late October. During the time it was in effect, no persons were allowed to enter or leave the city. The hospitals were full. Mercy Hospital in Prescott had 2-3 times the normal number of patients during the epidemic. An "emergency flu hospital" was opened in Washington School. Funerals for the victims of the disease were limited to families only. 

By December, the epidemic was beginning to subside in Prescott. Early that month, the quarantine was lifted. The harsh reminders of that terrible epidemic are evidenced by the many gravemarkers erected during that time in cemeteries throughout this area and the rest of the world. 

Pat Atchison is president of the Yavapai Cemetery Association.

Sharlot Hall Museum Photograph Call Number: (bub8257pf)
Reuse only by permission.
Facilities such as Mercy Hospital on Grove Street (now Grove Avenue) were overflowing with patients during the 1918 influenza epidemic. The Mercy Hospital site is now the home of Prescott College.