Arizona Pioneers' Home

Last updated
Arizona Pioneers' Home
APHCirca1912.jpg
Arizona Pioneers' Home ca. 1912
USA Arizona location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Usa edcp location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location Prescott, Arizona, US
Coordinates 34°32′15″N112°28′25″W / 34.5375°N 112.4736°W / 34.5375; -112.4736
Built1911 (1911)
ArchitectW.S. Elliott
NRHP reference No. 95001363 [1]
Added to NRHPNovember 20, 1995

The Arizona Pioneers' Home, also known as the Home for Arizona Pioneers and State Hospital for Disabled Miners, is a retirement home in Prescott, Arizona, established to provide housing for early Arizona pioneers. The home is operated and funded by the state of Arizona. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Contents

History

In the early 20th century, the idea for a retirement home in the Arizona Territory originated with three prominent Arizonans: Major A. J. Doran, a judge and territorial representative; rancher Johnny Duke; and businessman Frank M. Murphy, the brother of former Arizona territorial governor Oakes Murphy. They thought that Arizona should provide a rest home for aging settlers who moved to Arizona to help establish the area. [2] Doran sponsored a bill to fund the idea, presented to the 24th Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1907, but it was not passed. Journalist Sharlot Hall handled clerical duties regarding the bill. [3] Submitted again in 1909, both houses of the legislature passed the bill, and Territorial Governor Joseph Henry Kibbey signed the bill into law on March 11, 1909. Sited on a prominent granite hill overlooking Prescott's town square, Murphy put up 4.5 acres (1.8 ha) of his land for the building. Judge T.G. Norris later donated adjacent land for expansion. [4] To design the building, a female architect was selected: W.S. Elliott of Prescott, who had come to prominence for her work on St. Joseph's Academy. [5] The three-story retirement home, built of brick with wooden porticos, was completed at a cost of $25,000. Doors opened on February 1, 1911, with Doran as supervisor. Doran presided for the first year, during which time Arizona became a state. [2]

When first built, the rest home could hold 40 men. It was open to destitute men who were at least 60 years old and who had been living in Arizona for 25 years. [6] In 1916, a private endowment provided for expansion with a women's wing added to house 20 women. The building was opened to disabled miners in 1927. [4]

Big Nose Kate, born Mary Katherine Horony, was admitted to the home in 1931 after six months of applications, finally appealing successfully to her longtime friend, governor George W. P. Hunt. Kate, once the common-law wife of Doc Holliday and later the wife of blacksmith George M. Cummings, had first gained notoriety as the madam of a brothel. She stayed at the rest home until her death in 1940 at the age of 90. [7] [8] [9]

In 1947, Life magazine featured the home and its residents in a colorful story titled, "Old Pioneers' Home: Retired to state home, oldsters spit, cuss and fight with canes". [10] Devoted primarily to a description of the quirky characters living there, the article said that the state-sponsored rest home was the only one in the U.S., not counting one in the Territory of Alaska built to house aging Klondike Gold Rushers. Superintendent Jack Sills said that applicants were required to have lived in Arizona for 35 years, and that residents were given $7.50 each month to spend as they wished, usually on alcohol and tobacco. [10] The Life article was described in detail in 1974 in a writeup published in The Prescott Courier in which reporter Claudette Simpson said that Life angered some locals for its crudely humorous portrayal of idiosyncratic and cantankerous residents, the humor delivered at the expense of Prescott's dignity. [11] In 2010, Superintendent Ted Ihrman said that the Life piece had added "some historical significance to the home." [12]

Today

Front entrance in 2012 Front view of Arizona Pioneers' Home.jpg
Front entrance in 2012

The expanded complex of buildings can hold 155 residents, and was at 71% capacity in October 2010. [12] Its operating expenses are provided mainly by about $5 million each year from the state, and by some residents who pay a portion of their own care. [13] Applicants must have lived in Arizona for 50 years. [14] Residents who died were buried in the Home's cemetery. [15] In 2011, the retirement home celebrated its 100th anniversary with tours and open-house events. [2]

Notable residents

Various historic figures have lived at the home or are buried there.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prescott, Arizona</span> City in Arizona, United States

Prescott is a city & county seat of Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. As of 2020 Census, the city's population was 45,827.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prescott Valley, Arizona</span> Town in Yavapai County, Arizona

Prescott Valley is a town located in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States, approximately 8 miles (13 km) east of Prescott. According to the 2020 United States Census, Prescott Valley has a population of 46,785 residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Swilling</span> American pioneer in the Arizona Territory (1830–1878)

John W. "Jack" Swilling was an early pioneer in the Arizona Territory. He is commonly credited as one of the original founders of the city of Phoenix, Arizona. Swilling also played an important role in the opening of the central Arizona highlands to white settlement. His discoveries resulted in a gold rush to the region, and this in turn led to the establishment of Arizona's first territorial capital at the mining town of Prescott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viola Jimulla</span> Chief of Yavapai Prescott Tribe (1878–1966)

Viola Jimulla was the Chief of the Prescott Yavapai tribe. She became Chief when her husband, who was also a Chief of the tribe, died in an accident in 1940. She remained Chief until her death. She was known for improving living conditions, and for her work with the Presbyterian Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fort Whipple, Arizona</span> Former US Army installation in Yavapai County, Arizona

Fort Whipple is a former United States (U.S.) Army post that was temporarily established at Del Rio Springs, north of present day Chino Valley, Arizona, and later relocated to a permanent site near present day Prescott, Arizona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharlot Hall</span> American poet and historian (1870–1943)

Sharlot Mabridth Hall was an American journalist, poet and historian. She was the first woman to hold an office in the Arizona Territorial government and her personal collection of photographs and artifacts served as the starting collection for a history museum which bears her name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances Munds</span> American suffragette & senator (1866–1948)

Frances Lillian Willard Munds was an American suffragist and leader of the suffrage movement within Arizona. After achieving her goal of statewide women's suffrage, she went on to become a member of the Arizona Senate more than five years before ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution granted the vote to all American women. She lived in Prescott, Arizona and represented Yavapai County in 1915. She was a Democrat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Bug, Arizona</span> Ghost town in Yavapai County, Arizona

Big Bug is a ghost town in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The former settlement is located twelve miles southeast of Prescott and was established in 1862.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew J. Doran</span> American politician (1840–1918)

Andrew J. Doran was an American politician, miner, and specialty carpenter. After leaving home, he moved to California where, following the start of the American Civil War, he joined the California Column. After leaving the military he worked as a bridge builder for the Central Pacific Railroad. Doran moved to Arizona Territory in 1876 and became superintendent for the Silver King Mine. Politically, Doran was elected to the Arizona Territorial Legislature six times and was selected to be President of the Council twice. His later years were spent as superintendent for the Arizona Pioneers' Home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Cory</span> American photographer and artist

Kate Cory was an American photographer and artist. She studied art in New York, and then worked as commercial artist. She traveled to the southwestern United States in 1905 and lived among the Hopi for several years, recording their lives in about 600 photographs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stanton, Arizona</span> Populated place in Yavapai County, Arizona

Stanton is a populated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States that is now used as an RV park. The town was originally a stagecoach stop known as Antelope Station, and was later renamed "Stanton" after the businessman and crook Chuck Stanton, who took over the town in the 1870s. Stanton is located approximately twenty miles north of Wickenburg, at the base of Rich Hill, near the ghost towns of Octave and Weaver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Museum of Indigenous People</span> Museum in Prescott, Arizona

The Museum of Indigenous People, formerly known as the Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture, is located in Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona holds collections of Native American artifacts.

The 25th Arizona Territorial Legislative Assembly was the final session of the Arizona Territorial Legislature. The session convened in Phoenix, Arizona, and ran from January 18 till March 18, 1909. Its actions include the creation of Greenlee County, establishing the Arizona Pioneers' Home, and requiring primary elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Ann McGee</span> Native American Yavapai-Prescott tribal leader

Patricia Ann McGee (Yavapai-Hualapai) was a Native American tribal leader who served as president of the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe. An effective advocate for her tribe, she garnered millions of dollars in federal and state funds to improve the infrastructure on the Yavapai reservation. She negotiated a water settlement agreement between the federal government and the tribe and established the first gaming license for any Indian tribe in Arizona. She helped develop a community center which earned a federal design award and served as an educational center to preserve both the culture and language of the Yavapai. In 2006, McGee was nominated by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and inducted into the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yavapai County Courthouse</span> United States historic place

The Yavapai County Courthouse is located at 120 South Cortez Street in Prescott, Arizona. The current courthouse building was built in 1916. It was designed by architect William N. Bowman (1868–1944) and it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It is also known for its statue of Bucky O'Neill, a Rough Rider and former Mayor of Prescott. Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater announced his presidential candidacy in 1964 from the steps of the courthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walnut Grove, Arizona</span> Populated place in Arizona, United States

Walnut Grove is an archaic placename in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. It has an estimated elevation of 3,668 feet (1,118 m) above sea level.

Gideon Brooke was an American politician and businessman who was a member of the 8th Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1875. He was a local businessman in Yavapai County, Arizona Territory and served on the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors from 1870 to 1873 and again in 1877–1878. In between, he represented Prescott in the legislature at the territory capital Tucson and was chairman of the Committee on Roads and Ferries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Mayer</span> Arizona pioneer (1846–1909)

Joseph Mayer was an American businessman, gold prospector and pioneer who founded the town of Mayer, Arizona.

References

  1. ↑ "Arizona – Yavapai County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Cowling, Mark (July 28, 2010). "Celebrating 100 years: Arizona Pioneers' Home plans open houses". Tri-Valley Dispatch.
  3. ↑ Brown, Wynne (2003). More than petticoats: Remarkable Arizona women. Globe Pequot. p. 41. ISBN   0-7627-2359-9.
  4. 1 2 Hough, Harold (February–March 2010). "Arizona Pioneers Home Open to Arizona Miners". Miners News. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28.
  5. ↑ Domitrovits, Kathleen Stack (July 30, 2006). "St. Joseph's Academy: remembered and reunited". Sharlot Hall Museum. Archived from the original on October 31, 2011. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  6. ↑ "An Act To Establish A Home For Aged And Infirm Arizona Pioneers" (PDF). Arizona Pioneers' Home. 1909. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 16, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  7. ↑ Lackmann, Ronald W. (1997). Women of the western frontier in fact, fiction, and film . McFarland. p.  58. ISBN   0-7864-0400-0.
  8. ↑ Eppinga, Jane (2010). Tombstone. Postcard History. Arcadia Publishing. p. 73. ISBN   978-0-7385-7933-7.
  9. ↑ Rutter, Michael (2005). Upstairs girls: prostitution in the American West. Farcountry Press. pp. 156–157. ISBN   1-56037-357-1.
  10. 1 2 Stanush, Claude (November 3, 1947). "Old Pioneers' Home: Retired to state home, oldsters spit, cuss and fight with canes". Life. pp. 83–84, 87–88, 91–92.
  11. ↑ Simpson, Claudette (July 5, 1974). "Life In The Pioneer Home". The Prescott Courier. pp. 15–19.
  12. 1 2 Creno, Glen (October 17, 2010). "Arizona Pioneers' Home reflects on 100 years of colorful personalities and stories". The Arizona Republic.
  13. ↑ "Arizona Pioneers' Home". Arizona Pioneers' Home. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  14. ↑ Bryson, Janice Ryan; Wood, Kathleen Shappee (2009). Irish Arizona. Images of America. Arcadia Publishing. p. 118. ISBN   978-0-7385-5647-5.
  15. ↑ Moulton, Heather L.; Tatterson, Susan (2020). "Arizona Pioneer' Home Cemetery – Established 1911". Graveyards of the Wild West – Arizona. America Through Time (Fonthill Media). pp. 76–83. ISBN   978-1634992275.
  16. ↑ Kate Cory Collection: 1905–1912, Finding Aid Archived 2016-08-22 at the Wayback Machine Sharlot Hall Museum, Prescott, Arizona. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
  17. ↑ "History of APH". Arizona Pioneers' Home. Archived from the original on January 19, 2012. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  18. ↑ McClintock, James H. (1916). Arizona: Prehistoric – Aboriginal – Pioneer –Modern.
  19. ↑ "Jeff Cooper Legacy Foundation – An armed society is a polite society". jeffcooperfoundation.org.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.