Prescott in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Bashford Burmister Company
Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, January 31, 2003
1. Bashford Burmister Company Marker
Funded by the Historic Preservation Fund and the City of Prescott
Inscription.
Bashford Burmister Company. . Coles Bashford arrived in Prescott in 1864 and was the first President of the Territorial Legislature. In 1874, Coles, his brother Levi, and son William formed a partnership with Robert Burmister. The Bashford-Burmister Company became one of the largest mercantile stores in northern Arizona, selling everything from mining supplies to fresh vegetables. Bashford advertised that his was the only store in Arizona that received goods directly from New York City. The original structure burned in the fire of 1900. This brick building, built after the fire, was enlarged and remodeled in an Art Deco style in 1929. In the 1940s, J. C. Penney replaced the Bashford-Burmister Company at this location. Renovated for use as an atrium mall in 1994, it once again serves as one of the commercial focal points of the downtown area.
Coles Bashford arrived in Prescott in 1864 and was the first President of the Territorial Legislature. In 1874, Coles, his brother Levi, and son William formed a partnership with Robert Burmister. The Bashford-Burmister Company became one of the largest mercantile stores in northern Arizona, selling everything from mining supplies to fresh vegetables. Bashford advertised that his was the only store in Arizona that received goods directly from New York City. The original structure burned in the fire of 1900. This brick building, built after the fire, was enlarged and remodeled in an Art Deco style in 1929. In the 1940s, J. C. Penney replaced the Bashford-Burmister Company at this location. Renovated for use as an atrium mall in 1994, it once again serves as one of the commercial focal points of the downtown area.
Erected by Historic Preservation Fund and the City of Prescott.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 34° 32.505′ N, 112° 28.21′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is on Gurley Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 130 W Gurley 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,571 times since then and 110 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on May 10, 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.
