The 1864 Governor's Mansion in Prescott

Prescott, Arizona, is a town steeped in history, and few places embody its territorial past quite like the 1864 Governor's Mansion. This unassuming yet profoundly significant log house, now a crown jewel of the Sharlot Hall Museum, stands as the oldest building associated with Arizona Territory still on its original location. It's a true portal to the rugged beginnings of the Grand Canyon State.

A Humble Beginning for a Grand Territory

When Arizona was established as a territory in 1863, its first governor, John Noble Goodwin, needed a residence and office. In the summer of 1864, contractors Samuel E. Blair, Daniel Hatz, and John Raible constructed this log house. Though called a "mansion" in its day—a testament to its relative grandeur compared to the tents and shanties of frontier Prescott—it was a practical, eight-room structure built of ponderosa pine logs, chinked with mud.

Initially, it was a no-frills affair, with dirt floors and "gun ports" for windows, reflecting the unsettled times. However, as conditions improved, so did the mansion. Wood planking gradually replaced the dirt floors, and the gun ports were enlarged into proper double-hung windows. Community ladies even paneled one room to make it more suitable for the governor's wife!

More Than Just a Home: A Hub of Territorial Life

For a brief but crucial period from 1864 to 1867, this log house was the very center of Arizona's territorial government. Governor Goodwin and Territorial Secretary Richard McCormick were among its first inhabitants. The first territorial legislature even held sessions in its "big comfortable front room" when its own designated building was unfinished and exposed to the elements. It was here that important decisions were made, and the early life of the community often revolved around this significant structure.

The mansion passed through various hands after the capital moved to Tucson (and later back to Prescott before settling in Phoenix). It even served as the Congregational Church of Prescott at one point.

Sharlot Hall's Vision: Preserving History

By the early 20th century, the old Governor's Mansion was showing its age. Enter Sharlot Mabridth Hall, a remarkable Arizona poet, historian, and a true visionary. Recognizing its immense historical value, Sharlot Hall campaigned tirelessly to preserve the building. In 1927, she successfully acquired the mansion and, with her own extensive collection of pioneer and Native American artifacts, opened the "Gubernatorial Mansion Museum" to the public in 1928.

It was Sharlot Hall's passion and dedication that ensured this piece of Arizona's past would be saved for future generations. Upon her death in 1943, the museum was fittingly renamed in her honor, becoming the Sharlot Hall Museum we know today.

Visiting the Governor's Mansion Today

Today, the 1864 Governor's Mansion is the undisputed "crown jewel" of the Sharlot Hall Museum complex. Visitors can step inside and explore rooms furnished to reflect the period of 1864-1867, thanks to detailed descriptions from letters written by Margaret McCormick, the second governor's wife. Exhibits within the mansion also tell the story of its construction and showcase artifacts discovered during restoration work.

The mansion is more than just an old building; it's a tangible link to the pioneers, politicians, and everyday people who shaped Arizona's earliest days. A visit to the Sharlot Hall Museum offers a comprehensive look at this pivotal piece of history, allowing you to walk the same floors where Arizona's future was once debated and decided.

If you find yourself in Prescott, a stop at the Sharlot Hall Museum and a tour of the 1864 Governor's Mansion is an absolute must for anyone interested in American frontier history and the fascinating story of Arizona's birth.

415 W. Gurley St.