The Prescott Armory Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in The complex contains a cemetery that is as old as the city itself, dating to City Park features serve as important examples of work conducted by the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in northern Arizona. The Armory complex represents one of the only Depression-era construction projects, public or private, carried out in the city during those years. Additionally, the grandstand in City Park is one of the only examples in Prescott of the vernacular architectural style common during the Depression era: use of natural materials and simple design with subtle Art Deco motifs.
The park as a whole is unique for its unifying stone walls, substantial size, and use of materials and type of construction. The Armory Park complex is also important in for its association with Grace Sparkes, a significant person in Prescott and Yavapai County. The funding for this project was brought about largely due to the activity and dedication of Ms. Sparkes, who served as the chairman for CWA projects in Yavapai County. Grace Sparkes was part of the founding of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce in and prior to that, played a pivotal role in the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.1 Along with her role in the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce, she was also the Immigration Commissioner from to 1 It Gives Us Great Pleasure in The Great Southwest, June 2 Grace M.
Sparkes bio, pages 1 and 2, from the Grace M. Sparkes Collection, from Sharlot Hall Museum Library & Archives Research Center, Prescott, Arizona. Print. Accessed 18 March PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO. AZ-14 PAGE 2 Ms. Sparkes was able to secure funding for nine projects in the county, including one of the largest projects in Prescott: significant improvements to City Park and City Cemetery which included rebuilding City Park and Citizen s cemetery, erecting new walls, and building an annex to the Smoki Museum. She recognized that in order to help revitalize the community, public places should be improved and beautified which both provided employment opportunities and boosted local morale.
Description: The scope of this inventory does not include the entire Prescott Armory Historic District, but rather certain areas and features of the park that were built as a result of the New Deal Legislation. The park has been divided into character areas that will be referred to throughout this survey: Citizen s Cemetery, Ken Lindley Field and tennis courts, the Armory Building, the Smoki Museum, and the playground area (Figure 2). Citizen s Cemetery: The cemetery consists of a large parcel of land, approximately 6.5 acres, surrounded by a stone wall on all sides (Figure 3), which was constructed as a CWA project. The stone wall is used throughout the park complex and is approximately four feet high. It is constructed of a non-coursed stone set in mortar.
Stones are medium to large size and are divided using stone pillars with a pyramidal cap (Figure 4). Walls and pillars are uncapped at the top but are finished with a slat layer of mortar. In certain areas, along the southern boundary walls, an iron fence has been placed on the outside of the stone wall to prevent people from climbing over the stone wall (Figure 5). Plans have been approved to fence in the entire cemetery in this fashion, but the funds have not yet been raised. The cemetery is located to the north of the Armory Building and is accessed through the main entrance gates on the north side, along Sheldon Street. The cemetery is landscaped with approximately mature trees at the south end (Figure 6) and fewer trees to the north end (Figure 7).
The ground is covered by sparse brush, rough grass, and weeds (Figure 8). The cemetery is proud of its native landscaping and does not require irrigation. Weeds and non-native species are regularly removed and the vegetation is well-maintained. The cemetery is filled with grave markers that range from large and elaborate to small and worn (Figure 9). A flag pole is located at the center of the cemetery. The terrain of the cemetery is flat, though it slopes downward toward Sheldon street. Dirt and gravel paths for maintenance trucks run through the center of the cemetery (Figure From the cemetery, there are views toward the hills in the east and north. To the south, the back of the Armory is visible. To the west, the back of the Smoki Museum and more of the park is visible.
The CWA stone walls in the cemetery maintain their integrity and many of the grave markers, dating back to are still intact, and the landscaping maintains its original design intention to make use of native plants and low- PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO. AZ-14 PAGE 3 irrigation maintenance. Ken Lindley Field and the Tennis Courts: Built in and originally known as City Park and Athletic Field, the park is still used as a recreational ball field (Figure though now it is mostly used as a soccer field for Yavapai Community College. The original concrete grandstand (Figure completed in in the southwest corner maintains its subtle Art Deco features and this structure remains an excellent example of minimalist architecture that was common during the time of the Depression.
Stone construction is used as the stairs and the risers for the seating area (Figures 15- 16) to the east side of the field and is in good condition, though some chain-link fencing and red metal handrails have been added over time. The stone wall on the west side has had some modifications. In certain areas where there is no need for retaining walls, a chain link fence is in place to separate the ball field from the public sidewalk.
Chain link fences have also been built on top of the stone walls, to increase the overall height of the wall on the west side (Figure On the south side, along Gurley Street, the original stone wall is below the sidewalk level and serves as a retaining wall (Figure The field itself is level, but the parking lot (Figures to the east and the public road and sidewalk to the west side slope upward toward the south toward Gurley Street. The tennis courts are situated to the east of the ball field and to the west of the Armory building.
There are four courts, in pairs, oriented north to south (Figure There are stone walls around the perimeter of the courts, serving as retaining walls below the courts on the west and north sides (Figures as a retaining wall and seating area on the east side of the courts(Figures and as a retaining wall between on the south side between the courts and elevated public street and sidewalk. The courts are at a higher elevation than the ball field and have a good view of the rest of the park to the west. Stone staircases on the west side of the tennis courts have been blocked off from use (Figure possibly due to the lack of handrails protecting people from falling off. The stone wall has been repaired with concrete (Figure 23) in certain areas around the staircases.
Except in the places where the stone wall has been modified using chain link fence, the original WPA/CWA features like the Art Deco grandstands, the stone walls, and stone seating are all in good condition for both the ball field and the tennis court area. Armory Building: The Prescott National Guard Armory, now called the Prescott Activity Center, was constructed from to by the WPA. It features an open hall and smaller support rooms. The building is still used as a recreation and activity center featuring classes, exercise programs, and entertainment. The Armory is PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO. AZ-14 PAGE 4 constructed of reinforced concrete sheathed with a cut stone and a more regular course, varying in appearance from the stone walls throughout the complex.
Similar to the other stone walls throughout the park, the Armory building uses native stones and was hand constructed. Sandstone lintels are used over the windows, which are deeply set into the stone walls. The main entrance to Armory, from the south, off of Gurley Street, features stone work of a different color and pattern than the rest of the fa ade, and a medieval-looking gate over the double doors (Figure which have been replaced. A secondary entrance from the parking area on the west side (Figures enters the lower level of the building where Prescott Parks and Recreation offices are now located. To the north of the Armory is Citizen s Cemetery. The north side of the Armory building has large garage doors and access areas.
The east side of the building features a driveway and terraced landscaping (Figure The building has several mature trees on all sides. The location of the Armory building marks the highest elevation of the entire park complex, with the topography sloping downward in both the north and west directions. The armory has views to the west, north and south directions. The interior of the armory is used for different functions than its original use. The original drill hall is still an open space but has been converted into a gymnasium. A dropped acoustical ceiling has been put in and the lamella roof structure is no longer visible within the drill space. The exterior is still intact and in good condition.
The sidewalks and landscaping are also in good condition and have been well maintained (Figure It is one of most architecturally important buildings to come out of the Depression-era construction in Prescott. Smoki Museum: The Smoki Museum complex consists of two related one-story buildings that sit adjacent to the upper and lower parking areas (Figure 33) and to the west of Citizen s Cemetery. The two buildings, also a CWA project, are constructed of similar stone to the rest of the park, but vary in that the stones used are much smaller and the mortar is not as apparent and a stacking method seems to have been used. The stones are also more jagged, deviating from the smooth finish the other park walls seem to have.
The Smoki Museum sits above the lower parking area and a flagstone stairway leads to the main entrance (Figure 34) which is on the west side of the building, across from the skate park. Red doors, window frames, and built-in benches are also original (Figure The main entrance is elevated above the lower parking lot level, with a landscape terrace at the entry level, supported by another stone retaining wall. Trees and shrubs fill the courtyard area between the north and south portions of the Smoki Complex. The location of the Smoki Museum between the Citizens Cemetery, City Park, and the Armory building, allows for views to all of these areas from the museum. Playground Area: PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO.
AZ-14 PAGE 5 To the northeast of the ball field, and west of the Smoki Museum, a skate park was built in (Figure within the footprint of the original City Park. To the west of the skate park is another small parking lot and a playground area. The playground has a shade structure and several pieces of play equipment, including a swing set (Figure all added after A stone wall wraps around the east and north sides of the playground. To the north of the playground and skate park the original wall still stands in most places.
A stone pillar with a pyramidal cap, similar to those in the cemetery, stands in the northeastern corner of the skate park, at Arizona Avenue and Willis Street, and the wall serves as a retaining device, with a chain link fence at street level, running west up to the entrance gate, which leads to the parking lot. At this point, the wall can be seen at street level again. The driveway entrance is marked by two more original stone pillars that stand on either side of the chain link gate (Figure From this point, moving west, the stone wall continues along Willis Street until the intersection at Washington Avenue (Figure The original wall after this corner, on Washington Avenue, has been taken down.
Much of the stone from the original wall was saved and a sloped hill of rock was created in its place (Figure This new rock work serves as a retaining device where the hill slopes but does not attempt to confuse old and new. The west side of the playground area meets the sidewalk at this location where the original stone wall was taken down. History: Early Prescott History: Prescott was founded in as the territorial capital of Arizona and as the Yavapai County Seat.
Prescott served as the capital until and then again from until Prescott s economy slumped when the mining industry was depressed, particularly in but the introduction of the railroad in December of boosted the economy by helping to establish mercantile shops and the introduction of dry goods to the town.3 The Yavapai Chamber of Commerce was founded in which helped promote the town as a tourist destination, especially for its wonderful climate.4 Prescott became a summer time destination for residents of Phoenix and other areas in Arizona.
The mining industry boomed during World War I because of the extra demand for copper, and the economy continued to grow until the Depression hit, prior to World War II.5 Federal assistance programs, such as the WPA, PWA, and the Civilian Conservation Corps were active and well-organized in Prescott, giving jobs to local individuals who were out of work and had lost their savings due to bank failures.6 During this time, particularly from to the area saw a substantial decrease in tourism activity and almost no development and 3 City of Prescott. History of Prescott: A Brief History of Prescott. Prescott: Historic Preservation Office. (accessed 27 May 4 History of Prescott 5 History of Prescott 6 History of Prescott PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO.
AZ-14 PAGE 6 construction, except for work at Citizen s Cemetery and the City Park complex. Citizen s Cemetery: The land that Prescott Armory Historic District now sits on is approximately 163 acres and was granted to Virginia Koch in This land included the Citizen s Cemetery, established the same year that the city of Prescott was founded. This land was originally considered to be out of town, but today is in the heart of Prescott. It was on private land until it was deeded to the county in Since it is one of Prescott s first cemeteries, it contains the graves of some of the founding citizens8 and Prescott s history can easily be studied by looking at the grave markers and the organization of the entire park.
The cemetery was originally accessed from the south side, by wagon, off of Gurley Street, but the entrance has been moved to the north side of the cemetery, off of Sheldon Street. City Park and Athletic Field: The ball field, now called Ken Lindley Field, first served as a recreational field beginning in and was one of the only outdoor recreational fields that could be used during the and The grandstand at Ken Lindley field is one of the most architecturally interesting structures within the Prescott Armory Historic District. It is constructed of poured concrete and serves as an example of Depression-era architecture because it is simple and features very little ornamentation. What ornamentation is visible on the structure aligns with an Art Deco motif, making it iconic for its era.
Grace Sparkes in Prescott: Grace Sparkes, born in South Dakota, moved to Prescott with her family in She served as Secretary of the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce and was appointed the chairman of the projects created by the financial aid work relief programs. Sparkes was part of the founding of the Chamber of Commerce in and prior to that, played a pivotal role in the Prescott Chamber of Commerce.10 Along with her role in the Yavapai County Chamber of Commerce, she was also the Immigration Commissioner from to She quickly became well known for being able to handle every project that came her way and always produced great results.
She became an honorary member of the Smoki people, a designation given to a group of white professionals who worked to preserve and share Native American culture, when she helped then 7 City of Prescott. Historic Preservation Master Plan: Prescott Armory Historic District. Prescott: Historic Preservation Office. Print. Page 1. 8 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 2 9 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 4 10 It Gives Us Great Pleasure page 1 11 Grace M. Sparkes bio, pages 1 and 2 PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO. AZ-14 PAGE 7 with economic development.
Grace Sparkes was associated with the Frontier Days Celebration, which she actively worked on, in addition to the Northern Arizona State Fair Association.12 She also had an interest in roads and the road movement and many of the scenic roads throughout the southwest were successful due to her careful attention and focus.13 Sparkes was also an elected member of the Board of Governors at the Western Conference of Chamber of Commerce Secretaries in and was the only woman to receive this honor.14 Sparkes in the Development of City Park: Sparkes was a woman of action in Yavapai County and it is no surprise that she went to such efforts to secure federal aid to complete projects during the Depression.
Sparkes was able to secure funding for nine different projects in Yavapai County, but a great deal of focus went toward City Park. At the time, the cemetery needed to be cleaned, maintained, and walled-off, and walls needed to be added around the ball field. In addition, Ms. Sparkes sought an annex for the Smoki Museum to serve the Smoki people Projects were initiated under the CWA, which lasted only five months, and were completed under the County Civil Works Administration and Welfare Boards, with the help of the Arizona Emergency Relief Administration.15 After the city of Prescott acquired more land to add to the park, they were able to also construct the Prescott Armory, using WPA funds, making the entire scope of the City Park work much larger and a more enhanced project.
Very little development besides the City Park project occurred in Prescott, making this one of Sparkes largest accomplishments during the Depression. The Smoki Complex: Part of Sparkes s contribution to the county was a donation of land to the Smoki people, to be used in sharing Native American culture with the public. The City believed this would add to the beauty of the town and would improve the entire park complex. The Smoki people could use this space to help preserve the traditions of Indians in the southwest. This would be a place where ancient dances and chants could be practiced, and relics could be protected.
The architect Chris Totten drew the plans and the original building cost to construct.16 Since Sparkes was seen as a great friend to the native population, this contribution by the City of Prescott to the Smoki people was largely completed due to Sparkes s efforts. Bryan Cummings, the son of the Dean of the School of 12 Abbott, Lyle. Interesting Westerners in Sunset Magazine, August page 13 It Gives Us Great Pleasure, page 1 14 Grace M. Sparkes Bio, page 2 15 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 3 16 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 3 PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO. AZ-14 PAGE 8 Archeology at the University of Arizona, was hired as the first curator.
The appearance of the Smoki complex serves to recall the architecture of southwestern prehistoric and historic Native American structures that can be found throughout Arizona.17 It is constructed of native stone, uncoursed, and appears to have been built hundreds of years ago. Prescott Armory: Prescott was one of the first towns in Arizona to have a National Guard unit, and the Prescott Armory was the first armory built in the state.
Prior to the construction of the Armory from to the National Guard used a nearby church, and needed more adequate facilities.18 The drill hall was designed to be an open floor plan space three-stories high and originally open to the lamella truss supporting the roof structure above, but renovations and adaptations since the original construction have altered the original design of the drill hall. Depression-Era in Prescott: The Depression did not fully reach Prescott until the Spring of because of the excellent state of the tourist economy in The price of copper declined and unemployment rose quickly.
It wasn t until the summer of that Prescott received in financial aid for work relief.20 This funding meant that the local government could put unemployed Prescott residents back to work, while improving the structure of the town and the quality of life. Prescott Armory Historic District Since Construction: The cemetery, ball field, and tennis courts continue to be used for their original function. The Armory building has been turned into the headquarters for the Prescott Parks and Recreation Department and is used for fitness, classes, and entertainment. The playground area has been modified over time as equipment has changed and been updated as necessary.
The skate park was added to the complex in The original stone walls serve to tie the entire complex together and give it a sense of unity. These walls are in good condition and have been maintained throughout, with the exception of the deconstructed wall on the west side of the park, along Washington Avenue. The entire Prescott Army complex represents a cohesive group of buildings and sites that share a similar architectural style and method of construction. Their Conclusion: construction is, in large part, due to the dedication of Grace Sparkes, a visionary 17 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 6 18 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 9 19 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 2 20 Historic Preservation Master Plan, page 2 PRESCOTT ARMORY HISTORIC DISTRICT HALS NO.
AZ-14 PAGE 9 for early Yavapai County, and, of course, to the funding made available by the CWA and WPA relief programs. The complex s simple design and use of local materials make it a one-of-a-kind group of structures in the City of Prescott. The good condition that the Park indicates that it is still an important amenity for the residents of Prescott.
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