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

J. I. Gardner Store

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, July 8, 2009

1. J. I. Gardner Store Marker

Inscription. J. I. Gardner came to Prescott with a pack train in 1879 and opened his first mercantile store in 1883. The J. I. Gardner Store was built on this corner in 1890. Gardner's motto was "all goods guaranteed to be first class". They carried every type of "general supply and merchandise" including fresh fruit and vegetables, coffee, tea and spices, flour, sugar, canned goods, household goods, pots and pans and wallpaper, dress goods and boots, shirts, coats and hats, sheep dip, farming and ranching supplies and toys. Many customers paid in gold, but others paid in trade goods - anything of value including livestock and farm products. Gardner's even had a mail order service, with goods going by train to their destinations, many of which were in remote areas of the country. Today, the Gardner Store building has been adapted for use as a restaurant, at the same time retaining the historic appearance of the bilding and many of the original store fixtures.

Erected by The Historic Fund and the City of Prescott.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1879.

Location. 34° 32.638′ N,

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112° 28.113′ W. Marker is in Prescott, Arizona, in Yavapai County. It is at the intersection of North Cortez Street and East Willis Street, on the right when traveling north on North Cortez Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: Sacred Heart Catholic Church and Rectory (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Head Hotel (about 400 feet away); Santa Fe Depot (about 400 feet away); The Ehle Family and the Montezuma Hotel (about 500 feet away); Doc Holliday in Prescott (about 700 feet away); Prescott National Bank (about 700 feet away); Hassayampa Inn (about 700 feet away); Bashford Block (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map

Street view J. I. Gardner Store Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Cavinato, July 9, 2009

2. Street view J. I. Gardner Store Marker

of all markers in Prescott.

Regarding J. I. Gardner Store. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as #85000056.

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

Photographed by Sharlot Hall Museum Photo

3. Close-Up of Photo on Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,849 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on April 25, 2011, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 8, 2009, by Joseph Cavinato of Fountain Hills, Arizona. 3. submitted on July 9, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.