By Terry Munderloh

Arizona Territory was created by passage of an act of Congress on February 20, 1863, by President Lincoln who appointed John Gurley as governor.  When Gurley died before taking office, John M. Goodwin was appointed in his place.  Goodwin arrived in Arizona Territory in December of 1863, and at Navajo Springs declared the Territory of Arizona.  He then continued toward central Arizona and set up the provisional capital at Fort Whipple, then located at Del Rio Springs.

By Pat Atchison

In 1898, the residents of Prescott showed an increase of interest in the observance of Memorial Day.  This was due to the "existing war with a foreign foe".  War had been declared against Spain by United States President William McKinley on April 25th.  In a great flurry of activity, volunteers were recruited to serve in the Spanish-American War.

By Danny Freeman

Prescott has always been a horse racing town; well, that is, since 1866, when the town was just two years old.  By then cattlemen were here in sufficient numbers with horses to race.  In those early days, races were matched-races with side-betting.  That year, 1866, and for many years, horse racing was a major part of the 4th of July celebrations.  For centuries horse owners and others have considered horse racing as an entertaining sport.  And one way or another, interested people will find a way to gamble on sports.

By Nancy Burgess

May 10 through May 16, 1998, is Preservation Week.  The theme for this year's celebration is "Preservation Begins at Home."  The theme aims to emphasize the importance of saving and enhancing the places where we live, not just the buildings, but the communities that surround them.

By Richard Gorby

In 1870, Prescott was only six years old, but on Gurley Street the largest edifice was called "The Old Capitol Building". 
 

In 1864, Governor Goodwin had declared that the legislature of the new Territory of Arizona should assemble on September 26 "at the house provided for that purpose".  The problem was that there was no such "house" and no money to build one.  It was at this time that Van Smith, possibly Prescott's first entrepreneur, offered to build a structure for business purposes that could temporarily be used by the legislature.  "It is to be of hewn logs, carefully put up, and will be upon Gurley Street, on the north side of the Plaza".  The finished product was not very satisfactory to those who had to use it.  The floor was dirt and the partitions did not go to the ceiling, so that voices carried from one room to the other.  The furniture was unpainted pine tables and chairs (two chairs are now in Sharlot Hall Museum's Governor's Mansion).

By Nancy Burgess

Last year, the Arizona State Savings and Credit Union purchased a church on East Gurley Street in Prescott.  On the same property as the church, which was built in 1961, is the J.M.W. Moore House, built in 1892.  This house was documented in 1978, as part of the Prescott Multiple Resource Area documentation of Territorial Architecture, but was not listed in the National Register.

By Norm Tessman

It was America's most popular war.  All over the United States, young men demonstrated their patriotism by rushing to enlist in newly formed regiments.  During the spring and summer of 1898, over 200,000 such volunteers signed up to fight against the Spaniards.

By Nancy Burgess

Last year, the Arizona State Savings and Credit Union purchased a church on East Gurley Street in Prescott.  On the same property as the church, which was built in 1961, is the J.M.W. Moore House, built in 1892.  This house was documented in 1978, as a part of the Prescott Multiple Resource Area documentation of Territorial Architecture, but was not listed in the National Register.  Upon acquisition of the property, the Credit Union proposed a remodeling of the church for an office and demolition of the Moore House.  The Moore House is a very plain, simple one-and-one-half story Victorian Cottage with shingle style influence which is important for its simplicity of form and detail.  The building is structurally sound and has exceptional integrity.

By J.J. McCormack

An artist's inspiration, a sportsman's paradise, a mountain gem and Prescott's playground.  Take your pick of the assorted descriptions writers have bestowed on Watson Lake in the 84 years since the turquoise body of water began lapping at the sloping walls of the Granite Dells.  The same romantic prose was ascribed to Willow Lake when it appeared west of the Dells 21 years after Watson.

By Terry Munderloh

(This is the last in a series of articles in recognition of Women's History Month) 
 

Rosaceae, Rosa, the Rose.  This flower's name is almost the same in every European language.  Roses have been known throughout the northern hemisphere as far back as written literature records, but the majority of "modern" roses popular in American gardens are chiefly derived from Asiatic species.  Wild roses include the cabbage rose, a native to the Caucasus Mountains of Russia; the damask rose of Syria; and the tea rose, with it's scent of tea, from China.