Prescott Valley Chamber Of Commerce

History

Glassford Hill overlooking the width and breadth of Prescott Valley, has seen civilizations come and go. Archeological evidence of early man goes back as far as 800 A.D. Ancient Indian villages were settled around Glassford Hill in 1400. In 1582, Spanish explorers were in this vicinity as evidenced by the signs of Spanish mining efforts in nearby Badger Springs.

In 1864, gold was discovered in nearby Bradshaw Mountains and the U.S. Cavalry established Fort Whipple 5 miles away. The cavalry used Glassford Hill as a heliograph site using signal mirrors to communicate with other army units in the war against the Apaches.

In the early 1900's the area was homesteaded by the Fain family. In 1963, a new generation of Fains entered in an agreement with a land developer, and Glassford Hill looked down on the beginnings of Prescott Valley.

In 1966 the town was founded. It was incorporated in 1978 with a population of 1,520.