By Ken Edwards

(This is the first part of a two-part article regarding the history of early automobiles in Yavapai County) 

The Main Circus came to Prescott in November of 1899, arriving by train. Among the attractions was a new-fangled contraption from the east called an automobile. This particular vehicle was powered by an electric storage battery and, the Weekly Journal-Miner reported, "runs perfectly noiseless."

By Parker Anderson

The first legal hanging in Prescott’s history of Manuel Abiles is not remembered as an extraordinary event.  The people involved are not colorful and legendary, though it has been written about a number of times.  (Note: There are three spellings in various documents and accounts of the first Prescott hanging pertaining to his last name.  The oldest documents at the time of the hanging spell his last name Abiles.  Later written accounts use Aviles.  There is even one newspaper article that spells his name Abelis.  To maintain consistency, we will use the name as given in the oldest documents.)

By William "Bill" Peck

In 1887, Morris Darnell built a store and bar which probably had rooms for rent upstairs across the railroad tracks abut 500 feet south of the depot in Hillside. Finding he was on the wrong side of the tracks and had built in a mud hole, he somehow moved the rather cumbersome building in about 1900 to its present site where it serves as the Hillside Store, a cooperative affair run by our town's retired women.

By Kathryn Reisdorfer

The Irish, who had not been well received in the East, were more accepted and far more successful in mining areas of the American West. In Prescott, Frank Murphy (b. 1855 - d. 1917), who had his hand in mining, contributed tremendously to the local community.  Another Murphy Beatrice lived in Butte, Montana, which like Prescott was a major mining hub. Although she was not Frank's relative, she was also Irish. She was full of exuberance and appreciation for life, and, luckily for us, she kept a diary.

By Terry Munderloh

Long before the Spanish occupation of what would one day become Arizona and the arrival of Euro-American explorers and settlers to the western frontier, a unique aboriginal population lived in present-day Yavapai County. Ruins of many of the structures built by these Amerinds dot the hilltops throughout our surrounding countryside.

By Parker Anderson

The art of live drama and performing plays goes back to the days of the ancient Greeks but the noble art of theater has seen much change and evolution over time. For instance, plays, such as those of Shakespeare, used to run 3 to 4 hours, some longer. Today audiences don't seem to have the tolerance to sit that long. Today's average theatrical performance runs two hours or so. 

By Shirley Redfearne

The Arizona territorial offices of Secretary, United States Attorney, Marshal, Surveyor General, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Governor, and Court Justices were filled by appointment by the President of the United States. The officials held their posts for four years but could be dismissed at the will of the President. Each was expected to remain on duty until a successor was appointed. Applicants pursued an appointment for reasons ranging from health and adventure to carpetbagging.

By Kathryn Reisdorfer

The Chinese have been in the news in Prescott lately, and, just as in the past, they seem to be annoying some people. As a researcher, I am very interested in understanding the complex historical source of that annoyance. Now, of course, the concern is primarily an economic one-the archaeological dig looking for Chinese artifacts is delaying the construction of a public parking lot in downtown Prescott.

By Robert "Bob

While preparing for a jaunt in the hills and scanning the Forest Service map of roads south of Prescott, my wife asked the innocent question, "who was the Senator of the Senator Highway?" Now being familiar with that highway, I explained it was not a person but a mine, the Senator out on the Hassayampa River bank.

By Lorraine Rygiel

In memory of my grandmother, Edith Duncan, and her two sisters, Helen Voller and Elsie Dougherty, this article is dedicated. They were all born and raised on the Shupp Ranch in Skull Valley, as was their father before them, Chester Shupp. Their oral interpretation and written memoirs have given me valuable insight into my family's past. And from them, I have surmised that the pioneer women in my family were of no less character than the men who ventured out West. They encountered bad weather, lack of food and water, hostile circumstances and loss of life.