Welcome to Prescott, Everyone's Home Town! Pt. 1

Prescott (pronounced press-kit), AZ is an incredibly interesting "city". City is in quotes because it is called a city but those back East would recognize it more as a town. There is a central business and tourist area, which we saw in my previous post, located around the Yavapai County Courthouse, (Yavapai Co. is comparable to New Jersey in terms of square mileage, 8125 to 8755).
The population of Prescott is 40,360, across 32.4 sq. mi, compared to Montclair, NJ's 38, 977 over 6.3 sq. mi. Here, we'll take a look at the physical aspects of the city, focusing on the area around the square, where the architecture is more interesting. The rest of the city is not as interesting, being either rural or mega-shopping centers, strip malls, Wal-marts and such. There are TONS of fast food places, scattered throughout the city limits. From McDonald's to Taco Bell to Panda Express. Though the culinary experience is as barren as the landscape, there are two gems to be found: In N' Out Burger and the Diamondback Deal at Taco Bell (3 free tacos when the D-backs score 6+ runs). Thumb Butte looming over Prescott. This is from Gurley Ave. State Route 69 (Pheonix to Prescott) becomes Gurley and runs up to the parking area of Thumb Butte. The traffic light is where Gurley crosses Montezuma St.; Whiskey Row is just off to the left.
Whiskey Row composite, the pictures top to bottom run North to South. I love the old school Hotel sign, next to a Saloon. It definitely accentuates the Western vibe. All that's missing is a raised, wooden sidewalk. There is only one saloon with swinging doors, not pictured. All the bars have signs stating "No firearms, knives or other deadly weapons" conspicuously posted at the entrance. However, those signs are no longer required, as Arizona state legislature has approved a bill allowing guns in bars. But I digress.

Prescott has some really cool statues and art around town:
Intense!! Situated on the western side of the court house, the statue is dedicated to those Prescottonians killed in action, the list spanning from WW1 to Operation: Desert Storm. The statue was erected in 1987. Who is the standing man calling to?

These hydrants are hidden in an alley behind a shopping plaza, and obscured from view on the street by the unused square planter, but they are an nice surprise for the unknowing wanderer.

This gorgeous mural is hidden behind the relatively new Granite Street Parking Deck. Apparently, the owners of the store upon which this mural is painted managed to get the city to foot the bill, saying something about beautification. It runs down the length of the shop, which you can see goes several feet beyond where the pillar is.

A killer painting, made to look like the natural grain of ply-wood. The house was run down, so you never know what secrets lie behind that board. Perhaps a struggling band or maybe a band of long ship-wrecked pirates?

Giving a full sense of the diversity of the town, this trailer park lies just 3 blocks from Whiskey Row.

Here are some historic buildings, with plaques so I don't have to regurgitate the information:
And:

Part 2: The People of Prescott.