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

Granite Creek

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, January 3, 2003

1. Granite Creek Marker

Inscription. American History in Arizona is quite recent, although the history of the Native American, Spanish and Mexican occupation periods are much older. Encampments of Native Americans were drawn to the creeks, which offered a fairly reliable source of fresh water, and the Anglo settlers followed suit. The first known Anglo-Americans to camp in the vicinity of Prescott were the Walker and Weaver parties in 1863. The Walker Party camped on the banks of Granite Creek in what is now downtown Prescott. Granite Creek quickly became a magnet for explorers, miners and settlers, and later, farmers. Activities and development along Granite Creek included panning for minerals, particularly gold; picnicking; the location of the first store and school in Prescott and a conglomeration of shanties and lean-tos; saloons; and Chinese and Mexican settlements. Later, substantial residences along with warehouses, a gas plant, bottling works and farms were developed. Among the drinking establishments was the Quartz Rock Saloon, owned by a nose-less military deserter. It sported a plank bar with two bottles of whiskey and one cup. The sight of water

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purportedly make the patrons sick, so the business was moved to South Montezuma Street. Local legend is that saloon patrons kept falling into Granite Creek, thus diminishing a booming business. As a result, many of the saloons moved to "Whiskey Row", which was safer because of its further distance from the creek.

In addition to supporting human uses, Granite Creek gives life to many species of trees, shrubs, and grasses. Approximately 75 percent of our local wildlife are dependent upon Granite Creek and its tributaries. Over the last 150 years Granite Creek has seen many changes. The broad "gallery" of cottonwood and willow trees seen here was once up to a 1/4 mile in width, and it stretched from what is now downtown Prescott all the way to the Granite Dells, 5 miles to the northeast. The Granite Creek channel has been straightened, mined, filled, and built upon over time, resulting in a substantial loss of riparian habitat. In the 1990s, local organizations were formed to preserve and restore what riparian (streamside) habitat was left. The trail you can see below was the first effort toward this end. Since then, riparian habitat

Granite Creek Marker street view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, January 3, 2003

2. Granite Creek Marker street view

has been protected at West Granite Creek Park, Watson Woods Riparian Preserve, Watson & Willow Lakes, and the Yavapai-Prescott Tribal Lands.

Erected by The City of Prescott.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Resources • Notable Places • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.

Location. 34° 32.51′ N, 112° 28.333′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is on West Gurley Street. Marker is on left side of the street when traveling west. It is in the middle of the bridge along its sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 321 West 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 6, 2010

3. Granite Creek Marker

distance of this marker: Pauline Weaver (here, next to this marker); The Mulvenon Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Curtis Hall (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Pauline Weaver (about 500 feet away); Prescott (about 600 feet away); Veterans' of 1898 - 1902 Memorial Bench (about 600 feet away); Hotel St. Michael (about 600 feet away); The Palace Saloon (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Prescott.

Granite Creek and Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 6, 2010

4. Granite Creek and Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,259 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 9, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. 3, 4. submitted on July 12, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.