Prescott, AZ Honored as Top True Western Town by True West Magazine!
Virgil Earp was a lawman there. Doc Holliday lived there for a time. Prescott was an Old West hotbed during Arizona’s territorial days. And many reminders of that time still stand.
That is one reason Prescott is #4 among True West Magazine’s 2020 Top Western Towns. San Angelo, Texas took the top spot. Prescott will be featured in the February-March 2020 issue, hitting newsstands on February 18, 2020.
Courthouse Square downtown sets the tone with a sidewalk timeline featuring prominent dates in the region’s development. It mixes nicely with the historical plaques along Whiskey Row across the street. That famous strip of saloons includes the Palace, which adorns its walls with wonderful historical photos. At Sharlot Hall Museum, see Arizona Territory’s first governor’s residence, a log cabin restored to its original look. The Fort Whipple Museum tells of frontier life through its vintage 1909 military officers’ quarters, and artifacts such as Army weaponry, photographs and military maps. The Phippen Museum, headquarters for quality Western art, has 17 bronze sculptures and paintings by Solon Borglum. Prescott’s first rodeo took place in 1888 and Prescott Frontier Days rodeo still turns the town upside down with eight days of wild fun over the Fourth of July.
“Prescott is a remarkable Old West town,” says True West Executive Editor Bob Boze Bell. “Not only because of its history, but because it has done so much to preserve and present it through buildings, museums, events, and more. Prescotttruly deserves the designation as a Top Western Town.”
Mayor Greg Mengarelli shared his excitement about the recognition stating, “We’re proud of this recognition we’ve received from True West Magazine and the chance to showcase our western history, heritage, and culture. Our community is rich with experiences from the past and visitors from near and far plan their vacations around them. We look forward to many more years of sharing this rich history and hope to be #1 on the list sometime soon.”
This is the 15th year True West has presented this annual award. Editors base their selection on criteria demonstrating how each town has preserved its history through old buildings, museums and other institutions, events, and promotions of historic resources.
True West magazine is in its 68th year of leading the way in presenting the true stories of Old West adventure, history, culture and preservation. For subscriptions and more information, visit TWMag.com or call 888-687-1881.
The Prescott Tourism Office works as the destination marketing arm for the City of Prescott. For more information about the destination please visit: www.visit-prescott.com or call 800-266-7534 for all of your trip planning needs.