By Kathy Krause

Many of you in Prescott, Arizona had a real treat in mid-September at the "Best Fest" statehood celebration marking the beginning of the statewide centennial activities when, among many other wonderful sights, you came across the thirty-six foot replica of the USS Arizona BB-39 parked at the intersection of Goodwin and Montezuma streets.  The beautifully restored replica had been “missing in action” from about 1995 until 2005.  Few seemed to know its whereabouts; most did not notice or care.

By James F. Vivian

The remarkable attraction is called the ‘Miner Statue,’ crafted during the spring and summer of 1916.  It is on permanent display today at the Capitol Museum in Phoenix.  The citizens’ group that sponsored the well-known sterling silver dining service for the USS Arizona intended the statue as a companion piece in commemoration of the launching of the ship on June 19, 1915.  The custom was, at that time, that a state for which a battleship was named. . . .

By Parker Anderson

One of the most enduring legends in Prescott, handed down through the years by generations of old-timers, is that the famous belly-dancer, or rather, exotic dancer “Little Egypt,” who appeared live at the Palace bar in 1910.  This story has been repeated often enough that few have ever questioned it.

By Vicky Kaye

The people of Prescott who know the history of Pauline Weaver may remember him for many things.  He was a scout and trapper considered to be the first Anglo-American to make his home in the Prescott area.  He was also the guide for the Peeple’s expedition that discovered gold at Rich Hill southeast of Yarnell.  Born in 1797, he traveled the West from the 1830s until his death at Camp Verde (then known as Fort Lincoln) on June 21, 1867.  There is a story that persists claiming when the

By Parker Anderson

A Halloween treat from Sharlot Hall Museum.

Although the following story did not occur at Halloween time, this weekend seems an appropriate time to relay it! In 1933, Phoenix businessman Albert Stetson purchased the old Goldwater Store on the corner of Cortez and Union streets, across from the east entrance of the courthouse.  He had major interior remodeling done and turned it into a movie theater to compete with the Elks Theatre two blocks away.

By Bob Cornett

A “moving saga” of our Arizona Territorial Capital began soon after Governor Goodwin and his party’s January 1864 arrival near Del Rio Springs in Chino Valley where they set up a temporary camp. It was determined that the location was unsuitable as a capital site. Without delay, Governor Goodwin spent months touring the territory to find a suitable site for the capital and ultimately chose the area that would be named ‘Prescott’ among miners and gold strikes. In May, the Governor moved to the banks of Granite Creek in Prescott and here was built the log structure which was home to the first two territorial governors…now the Governor’s Mansion at Sharlot Hall Museum.

By Ken Edwards

This is a condensed version of the articles on Days Past from November 26 and December 03, 2000. For the complete "story" please refer to these earlier articles by Ken Edwards. Search "Ken Edwards" to locate the articles.

Although dates and places of birth are varied, it is most probable that Pauline Weaver was born in White County, Tennessee in 1797. His parents are thought to be an Anglo-American father and a Cherokee mother. Although Weaver’s given name. . . .

By Stan Brown

The town of Chino Valley has several theories of origin attached to it. Marshall Trimble, in ‘Roadside History of Arizona’ writes, “During the historic 1853-54 survey, Lieutenant Amiel W. Whipple chose the name Chino Valley after the grama grass that carpeted the vast, windswept region. The Mexicans in the party called the range grass ‘de china,’ or ‘the chino,’ hence the name.

Originally written by Charles D. Poston and compiled and edited by Parker Anderson

The following article is comprised of excerpts from a paper written by Charles D. Poston at the request of the Royal Geographical Society of London in 1875, on the subject of the Arizona Territory and its resources and prospects.

Charles Debrille Poston is regarded by historians as the "Father of Arizona." He led the first exploration of what is now Arizona shortly after the Gadsden Purchase in 1853. A few years later, he helped establish the Sonora Mining Company in Tubac, but was forced to flee after the Union. . . .

By Ruth Noggle

By 1955, my family had lived in Prescott for seven years and my oldest brother, Carl was 15-years-old and in the nineth grade in Prescott Junior High. Roy was 12 and in his last year at Miller Valley Elementary School and I was nine and in third grade at Miller Valley.