No way I’m looking down my nose at the historic town of Prescott with scenic mountains all around. It’s a picturesque place to visit.
But after checking out Granite Basin I stopped at an overlook where I could look down onto Prescott. I hadn’t really taken into perspective that it’s located at the southern edge of a valley with mountains on three sides, like a horseshoe.
Prescott
In 1864 Prescott became the capital of the Arizona Territory, a bustling town full of prospectors and whore houses. Although the capital is now in Phoenix reminders of this historic western town can be seen along Whiskey Row and at the Sharlot’s Hall and Smoki Museums. With the current population just under 40,000, Prescott is now the third-largest metropolitan area in Arizona. The college energy makes this a lively place. But I must admit it’s the many thrift stores I usually frequent plus the mountains in the surrounding Prescott National Forest.
Surrounding Mountains
The original inhabitants of Yavapai people called the Bradshaw Mountains Wi:kanacha for “rough, black range of rocks” and here they mined copper from around AD 1100 to 1600. The Bradshaw range runs east of Prescott and ends just north of town. To the west lies the Sierra Prieta mountain range with the Weaver Mountains that run in my backyard to the southwest.
Thumb Butte
The iconic Thumb Butte volcanic plug stands as a landmark on the south side of town. Many stories are told about Thumb Butte, named after its shape if seen from the north as a clenched fist and prominent thumb. Sorry, we’re looking at it from the west. Others say it looks like a sphinx. A trail climbs 600 feet in only 1.75 miles through ponderosa pine forest and offers views of Prescott and all the way to the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff.
I didn’t make that climb on this brisk winter day yet enjoyed the expansive view from just below Granite Mountain instead.
I hope you’ll get a chance to visit Prescott and explore the surrounding mountains and forest. Or have you already?
Prescott is one of our favorite towns in the west. It has a lot going for it except for one thing: it does get cold in the winter (tonight and manana it’s a low of 8F. Not as bad as Flag but still cold. Hope those gloves are keeping you warm! 🙂 Bet you are counting the days till SA!
I’m rid of these gloves in 19 days!
Yes, I’ve been to Prescott with my friend – only in spring though. I bet you were cold, Gaelyn. I see a dust of snow. Did you find any bargains?
I was cold and bundled up. Didn’t get to any thrift stores on this day.
That’s really pretty there with all of the mountains. Reminds me of home. 🙂
I think your mountains are much bigger.
Gorgeous pictures and a whole lot of AZ history I didn’t know…I do know we didn’t spend enough time in Prescott obviously.
Come back, after winter.
I’ve never been to Prescott. Amazing to think that a town of 40,000 sits in amongst all those trees.
It’s spread out beyond that view too.
Other than a trip to a Real Estate office in Prescott last March we really haven’t spent any time there or around there. Love the forests which reminds me of pine forests in Ontario. It’s an area we hope to see more of once we get things squared away & under control down here on the desert floor. And, we know very little about Prescott’s history so we’ll have to get ourselves up to speed at some point.
Plus there are Lots of Thrift Stores. 🙂
I visited Prescott and loved it but didn’t realize I should have been looking for thrift stores which I also love. Set up the return trip.
Lots of good ones.
I would love to live in a town surrounded by mountains and forests like this.
Nice, but very expensive.
My old stomping grounds! I really miss Prescott a lot – thanks for this post!
It’s a great town, but I can’t afford to live there.
Ha, ha. Nature is great, but give me those thrift shops. I am only partly kidding… I’m back; hope to visit regularly now.
19 days and counting, eh? That’s a great solution to the cold weather…. Fly to summer!
Enjoyed the post, as usual.
Sue
If you can’t find summer even in southern AZ it’s time to go further south for sure.
Hola amiga gitana:)
Went to Prescott College years ago for my teacher certificate and fell in love with the history and beauty of this area. Today Prescott grows a bit sterile with all the new Californians , Wal-Mart, etc. But it still is an amazing place….one that I’d like to see again. It has been way too long. I have family up in Mayer:)
Sounds like you better head north but not too soon unless you want your wings to freeze. Maybe spring break.
Love the way the town nestles in a horseshoe of mountains. Isn’t it amasing hoe the presence of a college in a small town, will bring permanent life into it? A lovely place to live with such easy access to the mountains.
I do like the college energy.
I’ve only been to Arizona once and that was to the lovely Tucson. Is this place far away?
Prescott is about 200 miles north of Tucson. A very different environment than the lower desert.
Except for pictures on your blogs, I haven’t seen much of AZ outside of Tucson. Prescott looks pretty with the green trees and mountains.
Although you live in a beautiful area of AZ, you need to get out more. 😉
We’ll be in the Phoenix area in March. Where will you be??? MB
I fly back in to Phoenix March 21. When will you be there?
Yes we climbed the Thumb Buttes a couple of times. It’s beautiful with the Ponderosa pine forest and a lot of Manzanitas and snakes at the time we went.
Not sure I’ll get around to climbing it and certainly not in summer when the snakes are out.