Prescott began as a mining town with the discovery of gold on nearby Lynx Creek in 1863. During the nineteenth century Prescott Arizona did not experience the anti-Mexican or anti-Chinese sentiments that other communities did. In fact, when the mining district was set up its laws in 1863 the officers specifically mentioned that "Senorians" and “Asiatics” meaning Mexicans and Chinese, were free to mine and work in the region. In 1863 Arizona became a territory and Prescott was the Territorial Capital between then and 1867, and again from 1877 until 1889. The Sharlot Hall Museum houses much of Prescott's territorial history, and the Smoki and Phippen museums also maintain local collections. Whiskey Row in Downtown boasts many historic buildings, including the Palace, Arizona's oldest restaurant and bar (establishment)bar, and many other buildings that have been converted to boutiques, art galleryart galleries, bookstores, and restaurants. The City is named after author William H. Prescott, whose writings were popular during the Civil War. After major fires in the early part of the century, downtown Prescott was rebuilt with brick. The central courthouse plaza, a lawn under huge old elm trees, is a good gathering and meeting place. cultureCultural events and performances are available many nights in the summer on the plaza. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prescott%2C_Arizona