The 100 block of South Montezuma Street in Prescott, Arizona has long been known as Whiskey Row, for the numerous saloons that once lined the street. As Prescott poet Gail Gardner once wrote of “Whiskey Row”:
“Oh they starts her in at the Kaintucky bar,
at the head of Whiskey Row,
and they winds up down by the Depot House,
some forty drinks below.”
On July 14, 1900, this block was totally destroyed by fire. Within a few days of the fire, new construction was underway in brick and masonry. Most of the buildings on this block were constructed between the fall of 1900 and 1905, and include Sam’l Hill Hardware Company, the Highland Hotel, the Palace, the Levy Building, and the Hotel St. Michael. All of these buildings are constructed with permanence and appearance in mind in styles typical of early 20th century buildings.
Most of the color and stories of Prescott originated in this one block landmark that still celebrates that fact that it once hosted over 40 saloons. If you have ever been to Downtown Prescott and witnessed “The Row”, it would be hard to imagine that so many saloons could have fit on one block. Prior to 1877, “The Row” was rumored to have been located a couple blocks to the west of its present location. But it was moved due to the insistence of many of the local employers and wives, because the patrons of “The Row” had to cross a foot bridge over Granite Creek to return home and in the wet season, some of the more sot would fall into this very shallow creek and drown.
Some buildings were architecturally progressive, such as Sam’l Hill Hardware Company, or architecturally outstanding, such as the Palace and the Hotel St. Michael. All present a united front to the Courthouse Plaza, resulting in a unique turn-of-the-century facade which is essentially intact today.
Source: http://www.whiskeyrow.us/history.html