By Helen Stephenson

The Western. An iconic film genre focusing on a relatively short era of American history that inspires big stories. 

The earliest known Western is a British short from 1899. But Fenin and Everson’s book The Western: From Silents to Cinerama states that it was Edwin S. Porter’s film, The Great Train Robbery, that’s credited with setting “the pattern—of crime, pursuit, and retribution—for the Western film as a genre.” Bronco Billy Anderson, the film’s lead, is considered to be the first Western “star.” He was quickly followed by the inimitable Tom Mix. The Arizona Republic stated in an October 13, 1940 retrospective: “The mighty Mix established the horse opera as the movie’s premier form of entertainment.”

Prescott played an important role in the career of Tom Mix. In 1913 Mix signed with the Selig Polyscope Company and began producing, writing and starring in silent Westerns. He brought his family to Prescott that same year. Most films were shot in 3–4 days, with the cast and some crew frequently lodged at the Hotel Vendome and the Hotel St. Michael in downtown Prescott.

So history’s mostly a horseback song

And set to the thud of the hoofs.

~~~from Horseback Men by Charles Badger Clark

The horseback man has long been revered worldwide. From Genghis Khan, who kept showing up where he wasn’t expected, to the Argentinian gaucho to the Guardians in the South of France, the romantic figure of a man on a horse has become part of the folklore of many cultures. The cowboy, relatively new on the scene, has become the most recognized symbol of our once-wild American West. Here in Yavapai County, he is a huge piece of our present as well as our past.

By Donna Werking

From racing ponies in the 1800s to roping calves in the 21st century, women have left a bold and lasting mark on Prescott Frontier Days® – World’s Oldest Rodeo®. While the arena has long been dominated by men, the contributions of women—both in and out of the spotlight—have shaped the rodeo’s traditions, culture and future.

1889: The First Female Competitors

The story of women in the arena began in 1889, when female cowboy pony racers galloped onto the scene. At a time when few athletic opportunities existed for women, their presence broke barriers and set a powerful precedent: women could not only ride—but compete.

By Helen Stephenson

The entity now known as the Prescott Film Festival had another iteration before it became the festival active today. A Maricopa County attorney reserved the name Prescott Film Festival in 2003. What happened to that festival is unknown, but the name expired and became available for what is now the Prescott Film Festival.

Various film events have been presented in the Prescott area. The Elks Theatre screened films over the years and continues with second release studio-produced films. Andrew and Angie Johnson-Schmit created a local food bank benefit called the (Can)nes Film Festival, and the Yavapai College Film and Media Arts Program had a Focus on Film series pre-pandemic. 

By Stu Jordan

In Robert Groom’s 1864 survey laying out the town of Prescott, two entire but non-adjacent blocks fronting Gurley Street were set aside as public spaces, the Plaza and the Capitol Block. Both were to be connected by Union Street. The Capitol Block was designated for eventual civic buildings, including one to serve as the capitol. Meanwhile, the new territorial government had business to conduct.

By Bob Boze Bell

Hard to believe now, but when my family moved to Kingman in 1956, there was a dirt road to Phoenix (actually Highway 93). There was a nefarious reason for this that involved Prescott, but I'll get to that.

Over the years, my father operated numerous gas stations on old Route 66 going back to 1946 when he ran a Mobil Oil gas station in Peach Springs, but the one that stands out was Al Bell's Flying A on Hilltop, outside of Kingman. Back in my day "Service with a smile" meant crisp uniforms with caps and bow ties (yes, bow ties!) with the service station attendant's name embroidered over his heart and at least four guys, dressed in white, who attacked every car that came in the driveway.