Prescott in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Site of Territorial Courthouse
Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, April 19, 2009
1. Site of Territorial Courthouse Marker
Inscription.
Site of Territorial Courthouse. . The courthouse you see today, constructed in 1916 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is not the original one on this site. The first courthouse constructed on the Plaza, one of two city blocks set aside in 1864 for government use, was a smaller, but more elaborate brick structure built in 1878. It was an impressive structure that immediately became the symbolic focal point of young Yavapai County. Many important cases were heard here in the day when Prescott served as the Territorial Capital of Arizona (1864-1867 and 1877-1889). Arizona became State in 1912, four years before the current courthouse was constructed.
The courthouse you see today, constructed in 1916 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is not the original one on this site. The first courthouse constructed on the Plaza, one of two city blocks set aside in 1864 for government use, was a smaller, but more elaborate brick structure built in 1878. It was an impressive structure that immediately became the symbolic focal point of young Yavapai County. Many important cases were heard here in the day when Prescott served as the Territorial Capital of Arizona (1864-1867 and 1877-1889). Arizona became State in 1912, four years before the current courthouse was constructed.
Erected by The Historic Preservation Fund and The City of Prescott.
Location. 34° 32.503′ N, 112° 28.135′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is at the intersection of East Gurley Street (Arizona Route 89) and South Cortez Street, on the left when traveling west on East Gurley Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 South Cortez Street, Prescott AZ 86301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prescott Area. It is also in the American Southwest and in the Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,185 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on April 20, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. 2. submitted on June 27, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
