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Prescott is located in Arizona's central mountains; four mild seasons offer just enough variation to make the weather both moderate and interesting. Prescott is located 96 miles northwest of Phoenix and 90 miles southwest of Flagstaff, Arizona. The city was established in 1864, incorporated in 1881 and is the seat of government for Yavapai County. The city is named in honor of noted historian William Hickling Prescott. |
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| 5,347 feet above sea level. |
DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES
(IN MILES) |
Denver
Salt Lake City
Las Vegas
Los Angeles |
780
610
268
347 |
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San Diego
Tucson
Albuquerque
Phoenix |
410
212
400
96 |
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Mile-high Prescott has an ideal four-season climate, with elevation and mountain breezes keeping summer temperatures from reaching the high levels of the Phoenix desert. Temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees, and most days are filled with sunshine. Humidity is a moderate 45% year-round. July marks Prescott's monsoon season with cool afternoon thunderstorms. |
MONTH |
LOW |
HIGH |
PRECIPITATION |
SNOW |
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec |
21.2
24.0
28.2
34.0
40.6
48.9
57.4
56.0
48.5
37.1
27.3
21.9 |
50.7
54.0
59.0
66.8
75.3
85.7
89.0
86.0
81.7
72.1
60.5
51.7 |
1.74
1.86
1.76
.94
.49
.40
2.92
3.28
1.73
1.08
1.26
1.64 |
4.5
3.5
3.9
1.1
0.2
1.9
5.6 |
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The discovery of gold in 1861 brought national attention to what later became the territory of Arizona. These discoveries drew the attention of President Abraham Lincoln who was looking for possible sources of funding for the North during the Civil War. Arizona became a Territory February 24, 1863. John Goodwin, the first Territorial Governor, established Prescott as the first Territorial Capital.
Prescott developed rapidy, and in 1865 it was described as being built exclusively of wood and inhabited almost entirely by Americans. Both of these facts made it unique among early communities. Prescott lost its title as the Capital of Arizona to Tucson and finally to Phoenix in 1889. In 1900, a devastating fire burned a large portion of downtown Prescott to the ground. Many of the buildings you see today were rebuilt following the fire. Today, many of Prescott's residential streets are lined with tall trees and pitched-roof frame houses, including turreted Victorians. Prescott has over 700 homes and businesses listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Its granite courthouse set among green lawns and spreading trees reflects the Midwestern and New England background of Prescott's early pioneers, thus coining the phrase, "Everybody's Hometown." |
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Although Anglos dominate the population base (93%), Prescott reflects many cultures, including American Indian and Mexican-American. Prescott's moderate growth rate trails many other Arizona communities. |
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YEAR |
CITY OF PRESCOTT |
YAVAPAI COUNTY |
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2004
2005 (Est.) |
6,764
12,861
13,631
19,865
26,592
33,938
40,225
40,770 |
24,991
28,912
37,912
68,145
107,714
167,617
196,720
205,105 |
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