Prescott in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Head Hotel

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, June 27, 2009

1. Head Hotel Marker

Inscription. Colonel C. P. Head was in the hardware business in Prescott by about 1866. By 1875, Colonel Head was involved in several businesses including hardware, lumber and a hotel. He served in the territorial House of Representatives from Yavapai County for the 1875-1877 term. Colonel Head was described by Willaim A. Farish as "a most excellent gentleman, a business man of wealth." By 1916, there were 16 hotels in Prescott, including the 80-room Head Hotel. Built by A. J. Head just after the fire of July 14, 1900, the "grand brick" hotel was 3 stories high and had pairs of windows looking out onto the street with 3 sets of balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Unlike many hotels of the time, the Head hotel boasted steam heat and hot and cold water in every room. Twenty rooms had private baths. Rates were by the day, week or month. The first floor was primarily commercial, except for the lobby. The hotel offered a restaurant, floral shop, newsstand and barber shop. Business included the Post Office, Calles' Saddelry, the New State Theater, Andres' Cigar Shop and various retail stores including, in later years, J.C. Penny's. In the

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1980s, the Head Hotel was extensively remodeled on the exterior and no longer has historic integrity.

Erected by City of Prescott.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1900.

Location. 34° 32.567′ N, 112° 28.119′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is on Cortez Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 North 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Prescott National Bank (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bashford Block (about 300 feet away); The Bank of Arizona and the Electric Buildings (about 400 feet away); Site of Territorial Courthouse

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, January 1, 2003

2. Head Hotel Marker

(about 400 feet away); Doc Holliday in Prescott (about 400 feet away); Knights of Pythias Building (about 400 feet away); Hassayampa Inn (about 400 feet away); J. I. Gardner Store (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prescott.

Also see . . . The Head Hotel. There was a spur of the Mt. Union Electric Streetcar line running down Cortez to the train depot – see the photo with a streetcar. (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. This page has been viewed 3,566 times since then and 137 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 27, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.