Water, Water Everywhere…

But not a drop for a Prescott fire.

On July 4, 1900, a fire raged through Prescott, Arizona’s downtown area. Much of the famed Whiskey Row was burned to the crowd. But apparently the devastation could have been lessened. Fire fighters tapped into hydrants and wells, but there wasn’t enough water to overcome the fire. But if officials had remembered the nearby reservoir had more than enough water—and it could be easily accessed. In fact, one man was at the reservoir, waiting for instructions to pump water to the fire. The order never came. And the buildings burned.