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

Site of Curtis Hall

Curtis Duplex & Curtis Cottages

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 6, 2010

1. Site of Curtis Hall Marker

Inscription. George W. Curtis came to Prescott from California in 1864, and in 1867 purchased an interest in a sawmill. He purchased a building on Granite Creek on South McCormick Street, and he and his brother John enlarged and modified the building in 1878. This building was known as Curtis Hall and was used as the meeting place for the Territorial Legislature from 1879 to early 1885 and as City Hall. Curtis Hall was described as a "mammoth frame house" which "overshadows every edifice in town". This building was apparently gone by the mid 1880's at which time the Curtis Duplex was built at the same location. The Curtis Duplex appears in an 1885 photograph of Prescott. It was a one-story wood frame building with a porch across the front, covered with shiplap siding. It was an unusual example of multi-family housing, circa 1880. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Around 1884, the Curtis brothers also built three "cottages" along South McCormick Street to the north and south of the Curtis Duplex. These early Territorial frame cottages were a good example of blue-collar housing in Prescott in the 1880s.

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Although greatly modified, one of these cottages still stands at 125 South McCormick Street and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Curtis Duplex and the other two cottages were demolished in 1988.

Erected by City of Prescott.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.

Location. 34° 32.454′ N, 112° 28.374′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is on South McCormick Street south of Beach Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 125 South McCormick Street, Prescott AZ 86303, 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: Pauline Weaver (about

Site of Curtis Hall Marker With the Curtis Cottage in the Background image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 6, 2010

2. Site of Curtis Hall Marker With the Curtis Cottage in the Background

400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Granite Creek (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Pauline Weaver (about 400 feet away); Veterans' of 1898 - 1902 Memorial Bench (about 400 feet away); The Mulvenon Building (about 600 feet away); The Palace Saloon (approx. 0.2 miles away); Whiskey Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Prescott's Beginnings: The First Mining District in Yavapai County (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prescott.

Close-Up of Curtis Hall Photo Displayed on Marker image. Click for full size.

3. Close-Up of Curtis Hall Photo Displayed on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.