By Michael King

Last week’s Days Past article reviewed Prescott’s experience in establishing a reliable system of residential water storage and distribution. This week, we’ll examine Prescott’s current water supply and the celebration of “The Biggest Splash.”

In 1946, a comprehensive water study was completed for the City of Prescott.  This was during Mayor James Whetstine’s administration.  Plans included developing a series of wells, constructing pump stations, and installing a large holding tank facility in Chino Valley just north of the Chino Valley High School.  Mayor James Whetstine’s administration laid the ground work for new Mayor Hillard Brooke to carry out the project.  Brooke’s administration brought the issue before voters in April 1947, with an $800,000 bonding provision.  Out of the 858 ballots cast only 25 were opposed.  At that time, water was provided by surface water from the Goldwater Lakes and Hassayampa Lake (83%), the Sun Dog infiltration gallery (10%) and the Weston Well (7%).

By Michael King

May 14, 1948 Daily Courier Article:

“Let’s celebrate! Tomorrow will be one of the greatest days in the history of Prescott.  It marks the turning of the gurgling, bubbling, crystal clear water of the Del Rio artesian basin into the mains of a thirsty city to end, at least for some time to come, the long water famine through which the city has struggled and gasped, lo, these many months.”
 

By Stan Brown

This day trip will take you from Prescott to Seligman on the Williamson Valley Road, and is being presented in three parts. We pick up this week, Part 2, on our day trip with historical spots along Williamson Valley Road beginning at milepost 20.6.
 

At milepost 20.6 is the Crossroads Ranch development on the right. This area was originally known as "the crossing" where stage, wagon trains and freight wagons crossed the wash on the route between Prescott and Hardyville (now Bullhead City). There are several things to note in this area. Dillon Wash (aka Williamson Valley Wash) was named for the John Dillon family who had a house in the settlement of Simmons. The large trees on your left, 100 yards or so in from the road, was the location of this small settlement and stage stop named for John A. Simmons, who settled here in 1880.
 

By Stan Brown

This is part 1 of a 3-part historical backroad trip adventure from Prescott to Seligman. Wait until you have all 3 parts to make the trip come alive. In the meantime, pick up a Prescott National Forest map at 344 S. Cortez or at Granite Mountain Outfitters.
 

One of Yavapai County's many beautiful drives, and a good one for entertaining guests, is the Williamson Valley Road out of Prescott northward to Seligman. Not only is this a scenic drive, but these 70 miles have many stories to tell from Arizona's Territorial days.
 

By Dave Lewis

Previously:  The Coronado Expedition reached the Zuni village of Hawikuh in July 1540.  The Zuni tried to send the Spaniards on their way with assurances that they would find cities of gold if they just kept going.  Coronado would fall for this line just a few more times.

Hoping to find riches without having to go too much farther, Coronado remained at Hawikuh for three months while scouting parties searched for other villages.  He learned of multi-story pueblos to the northwest in a province called Tusayan — the Hopi lands of northern Arizona.  Pedro de Tovar went to investigate.  The Hopi had heard through the “moccasin telegraph” that unwelcome strangers were on the way, but they discovered resistance against the Spaniards was futile, as it had been for the Zuni at Hawikuh.  Futile, too, was the Spanish hope for easy wealth.

By Dr. Sandra Lynch, Adjunct Curator -- Sharlot Hall Museum

The concept of a museum originated more than two millennia ago with Ennigaldi, a Babylonian princess.  She lived in Ur, in today's Iraq, about 530 BCE (Before Common Era).   Her father, Nabonidus, was the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.   He cared little about governance, which might explain why he was the "last king.”  Instead, his life-long pleasure was digging for artifacts from earlier kingdoms.  He might have been the world's first archaeologist.  

By Dave Lewis

The people of Hawikuh laid down a line of sacred corn meal and asked the strange men riding strange animals not to cross.  The Spaniards crossed and the battle was on.  Zuni bows and arrows were no match for armored men on horseback with swords and lances.  The proud but half-starved Spaniards swept into the village and feasted on the provisions the natives were laying by in the summer of 1540. 

The Grand Canyon (not to mention our own Granite Dells and Thumb Butte) used to be in New Mexico; much of New Mexico used to be in Texas; Texas used to be in Mexico.  All of the above used to be part of Spain.  And Arizona didn’t even exist until the 1860s.

Buckey O’Neill, Yavapai County Sheriff in 1889, led a four-man posse that same year into northern Arizona. It captured four cowhands who’d robbed a train near Diablo Canyon. One of the outlaws, J. J. Smith, escaped while en route to Salt Lake City. Eventually, Smith was recaptured and hauled to Prescott to stand trial. While Smith was loose, the other three outlaws were tried and convicted, but were needed to testify in Prescott and were thus carted up from Yuma.

By Brad Courtney

William “Buckey” O’Neill is perhaps Prescott’s most famous and revered historical figure. He was also one of Whiskey Row’s most devoted customers and had a knack for stepping smack-dab into the middle of historic events.O’Neill was a natural leader and a nervously energetic go-getter with an ambition that went beyond a run-of-the-mill quest for success.