Prescott Courthouse and Plaza
What once was an unoccupied portion of terrain covered with
Ponderosa pine trees now is the Plaza in Prescott, AZ. The Plaza was formed in 1864 and took up an
entire city block. After the trees were
cleared and used as building materials, in 1878 a brick courthouse was
constructed. It became the heart of the
city where many activities could be found and people would congregate.
Prescott’s first courthouse was built on Cortez Street in
1878. Afterwards, a chapel, bandstand,
water tank and fountain soon followed. A
beautiful cactus garden with gravel paths surrounded by a fence was developed
around the Plaza’s grounds. In 1916, the
tiny courthouse was lacking in space so plans were made to construct a new
building. The old building was
demolished later that year leaving the bandstand, fountain, and pathway intact. On October 19, 1916, the cornerstone was laid
for the courthouse, and placed behind it was a copper box. The box was not to be opened for 100
years. Inside are photographs, receipts
from neighboring businesses and three published copies of Yavapai Magazine.
Today, the plaza is the location where many events are put
on, gatherings, and at Christmas time, the lighting of the courthouse
celebration. It is located across the
street from Prescott’s famous Whiskey Row.
I bet that's going to be cool to see what's inside that box come 2016.
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