Prescott High School and the Yavapai Club
Three very prominent buildings once stood on East Gurley Street between Alarcon and Marina Streets – The Territorial Capital Building, Prescott High School and the Yavapai Club.
Originally, the property between Alarcon and Marina streets on Gurley Street was the site of the red brick building which housed the Territorial Legislature and Prescott City Hall. Built in 1884, it was remodeled in 1904 for use as a high school. In 1914, it was demolished and a new high school was constructed. The new high school was described as "splendid". By 1930, this was too small for the number of students, so in 1931 a junior high school was added on the east and south sides of the block.
Meanwhile, in 1903 railroad entrepreneur Frank Murphy purchased the building along South Marina Street at Gurley. The Dake Opera House, the Goldsworthy Residence and the Gould Cottage were demolished to build the Yavapai Club, an organization "incorporated by the businessmen of the county for the purpose of furthering the material and social interest of the community". It was housed in "one of the finest buildings in Arizona and was as completely equipped as the finest gentleman's club in San Francisco or New York". The club featured a library, games room, restaurant with a buffet, a bowling alley, sleeping accommodations and a second-floor ballroom. After a fire in 1907, the Club was restored. It was eventually turned over to the high school in the 1930s and was used for art classes and a music room. It was torn down about 1941.
In 1976, the entire block was cleared for the construction of a new Yavapai County Administration complex.
Marker is at the intersection of East Gurley Street and South Alarcon Street, on the right when traveling east on East Gurley Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
