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History

Overlooking what is now Prescott Valley, Glassford Hill has witnesses many changes since being formed by volcanic activity many centuries ago, has been witness to many changes. At one time, Mammoths roamed the valley floor. There is ample archeological evidence to indicate that early man moved into the area nearly 3,000 years ago. Native Americans settled villages around the year 1400 and left behind spear points and other artifacts to mark their presence.

Though Spanish explorers passed through the vicinity in the late 16th century, it was not until the 1864 discovery of gold in the nearby Bradshaw Mountains that Prescott Valley began to really attract attention from the outside world.

The U.S. Army established Fort Whipple in nearby Prescott and the U.S. Cavalry used Glassford Hill as a heliograph site for signal mirrors to communicate with other army units in a war against the Apaches. This was probably the most activity Prescott Valley saw until the early 1900s, when the Fain family homesteaded the area. Cattle then shared the range with antelope for decades…but a new town was on the way. In 1966, Prescott Valley was founded.

By the early 1970s, the population in the area, sometimes called Lonesome Valley, had grown to 600 people. Prescott Valley was incorporated in 1978 with a population of 1,520. Today, Prescott Valley is one of the fastest-growing non-metropolitan towns in America. We now have more than 39,000 residents and we continue to grow…but we are still proud to offer a friendly, small-town atmosphere that makes us one of the nation's most desirable communities in which to live and work.

Location & Transportation

Located in Yavapai County, Prescott Valley lies between the cities of Flagstaff and Phoenix. Residents find traveling around town, as well as the entire state of Arizona, to be convenient and easily accessible. U.S. Highway 89 and State Highways 69 and 89A serve the town. Within close proximity to Interstates 17 and 40, it is no wonder that a day's drive can take you to Tucson, Las Vegas and even Los Angeles.

DeWitt Bros. Trucking, Federal Express, UPS and Yellow Freight Trucking service are available to handle all your trucking and freight transportation needs.

Our local shuttle services and taxis are alternative modes for passenger transportation.  Hourly shuttle service is available to take passengers to Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix every day.

Nearby Prescott is home to Ernest A. Love Field. Acting as the city's municipal airport, the facility ranks behind Phoenix's Sky Harbor International Airport as the second-busiest airport in the state and 31st in the country. Great Lakes Airlines provides commuter service to Los Angeles International Airport. Love Field is also home to the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Considered one of the most highly-acclaimed universities of its kind around the globe, recent renovations have garnered as many new students as it has praise from industry experts. Lockheed Martin's Western Region Flight Service Center is also located in Prescott Valley.

Tourism

Scenery plays a major role in Prescott Valley's tourism appeal. The surrounding mountains gently flow into rolling hills, rendering a diverse landscape throughout the surrounding areas. The spirit of the Old West lives on in nearby ranching communities and ghost towns, while 12th-century cliff dwellings and pueblos still exist today.

Located north of Prescott Valley, the Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 277 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. One of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world, Grand Canyon is unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers to visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site and the Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Prescott Valley is central to a variety of tourist destinations. Within driving distance, the communities of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon are popular for day trips, as well as the mining community of Jerome and the historical fort at Camp Verde. The Prescott-Yavapai Indian Tribe operates a first-class resort, conference center and casino in nearby Prescott. The Highlands Center for Natural History offers children and adults a number of ways to discover the outdoors. Through the trained eyes of educators and naturalists, young and old alike will be awakened to the wonder of nature on the 80-acre site nestled in the Prescott National Forest, near Lynx Lake. Children's camps, family events, adult classes and summer concerts are only a part of all that goes on.

The local lakes and national forest areas are home to a myriad of trail systems. Hiking and outdoor enthusiasts will be awestruck by the natural beauty the area has to offer. The recently opened Glassford Hill trail takes hikers to the top of Glassford Hill with stunning views of the valley below.

Homes

Prescott Valley is a growing community of friendly people. Quality of lifestyle makes this a great place for both families and retirees alike. Yavapai County is one of the nation's 100 Best Communities for young people. It is a wonderful place with many opportunities for sports, hiking and entertainment. It boasts an average of 300 days of sunshine each year.

Prescott Valley continues to attract people, as this part of Arizona has some of the most affordable and diverse living accommodations anywhere. Houses of all styles and periods, from mid-19th century homes with white picket fences to half-million-dollar homes for the new millennium, dot the horizon. Many residents find they can take advantage of Prescott Valley's small-town ambiance while also receiving a great value for their real estate dollar.

Our mountainous, high-desert surroundings lead to well-established neighborhoods with clean, quiet streets. Developing neighborhoods attract transferees, empty nesters and new homeowners with their close proximity to schools, shopping and city parks. New condominiums and apartment complexes are also being built as commercial developments are completed.

Recreation

Phoenix may be the official state capital, but when it comes to recreation, leisure-time activities and good old-fashioned fun, Prescott Valley is the real capital of Arizona.

The Town of Prescott Valley offers a variety of recreational facilities. Prescott Valley's inventory of open space and recreation opportunities range from highly developed, active recreation sites to passive open space. The town features over 263 acres of developed parklands, 166 acres of undeveloped parkland, 27 park sites, an outdoor public swimming pool, 27 multi-purpose athletic fields, trails, two amphitheaters and two community/activity centers. Mountain Valley Park, located at 8600 E. Nace Lane, is considered the town's only regional park. It offers multi-purpose athletic fields (some with lights and a full-size synthetic field for soccer and football), an award-winning amphitheater, a skate/bike park, an outdoor pool facility with a 100-foot slide and splash pad, over two miles of multi-use paths and the shade of some 400 trees. For a park that has something different, visit Fain Park at 2200 N. 5th Street. This park offers fishing, hiking trails, picnic areas and gold panning. Stop by and relax a while in one of the area's most scenic locations.

On the outskirts of town are the towering pines of Prescott National Forest, where there are thousands of acres available for hiking, biking, backpacking, fishing and camping. Lynx Lake, Goldwater Lake and Watson Lake are just a few miles up the road, as are the rugged Mingus Mountains with their spectacular vistas.

In town, you can participate in organized sports for both youth and adults. These range from football to baseball, basketball to soccer, bowling to volleyball or hike along the many urban trails located within the town.

There is golf to be played on several public courses, a zoological sanctuary to visit in nearby Prescott and, of course, the magnificence of the Grand Canyon, which is only a two-hour drive to the north.

If that is not enough to keep you busy, you can attend craft fairs, visit a historical site or museum, go bowling, test your skills at miniature golf or skee-ball, rent a canoe, spend an afternoon shooting skeet…the list of Prescott Valley's year-round recreational opportunities and leisure activities is virtually endless.

Arts & Entertainment

Prescott Valley is rich in a variety of cultural activities for all ages. The beautifully landscaped grounds at the Prescott Valley Civic Center create the setting for the "Art at the Center" collection and many community and town events. Also located on the Civic Center grounds is the Prescott Valley Military Monument. This monument, along with its Walk of Honor, stands out to honor all who have served, serve and will serve in our armed forces.

Fain Park is home to a historical mining display, as well as ancient Native American ruins. In the contemporary town center, Harkins Theater, a 14-screen cineplex, anchors an entertainment district, which includes restaurants, shops, a family fun center, and a miniature golf course.

The Prescott Valley Event Center is home to numerous concerts, family shows and community events.

Fifteen years ago, with assistance from the Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Prescott Valley Art Guild was established. Art and culture are embraced and encouraged through this organization, which actively promotes imagination and creativity from the community. Acclaimed artists and teachers teach workshops and classes through the Guild. Youth Arts month, along with Family Arts Day, is celebrated in March.

Now in its 46th year, the Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA) has been the biggest contributor to the community's cultural and artistic needs. They vigorously provide entertainment, education and participation for our town's residents and showcase a full season of community theatre. The numerous concerts, art exhibits and scholarship competitions supported and offered by the PCA over the years have proved the organization's dedication to its craft. In addition, the 108-year-old Elks Theater and Yavapai College Performing Arts Center showcases many events, concerts and theatrical productions, which complement the arts community.  The Lonesome Valley Theater provides family entertainment featuring local talent of all ages.

Education

Any way you study it, Prescott Valley is a community that believes in education. Students of all ages and interests have opportunities to learn and improve themselves through a combination of public schools, charter schools and private schools, all complimented by several colleges and universities.

Our public school system is outstanding, with five elementary schools, two middle schools and a state-of-the-art high school, which prides itself on its student achievement, athletic programs and faculty.  Local public schools are part of the Humboldt Unified School District, which has been recognized statewide for its progressive administrative leadership.

Prescott Valley's charter and private schools also serve the community well. Their record of student achievement is definitely worthy of praise.

On standardized tests, Prescott Valley students exceed state averages and compare favorably with national averages for ACT and SAT scores. For students looking for courses in technical education, Mountain Institute JTED offers many classes both on campus and in partnership with business.

As for higher education, the area's colleges and universities offer a wide range of learning experiences…from vocational training to advanced degrees in aerospace engineering.

Yavapai College, which offers associate's degrees and programs in more than 75 areas of study, maintains an education center in Prescott Valley. Students can also pursue bachelors and master's degrees locally in partnership with Northern Arizona University and Old Dominion University. NAU-Yavapai, with a campus in Prescott Valley, offers four baccalaureate courses of study, which can be completed in three years.

Northcentral University, a leading worldwide online university, which offers accredited bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in business, technology management, education and psychology, has its world headquarters in Prescott Valley.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with residential campuses in Prescott and Florida, is a world leader in aviation and aerospace education. Prescott College, a private college for the study of liberal arts and the environment, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. There are also business seminars available with classes that are just for fun and recreation.

Business & Industry

Prescott Valley is a leader in economic development in central Arizona. New industrial, retail and business hubs contribute to a growing job base. Lockheed Martin Training Center, Superior Industries and the expansion of the ACE Hardware Retail Support Center are a few examples of Prescott Valley's industrial expansion. The close proximity to the larger population center of the Greater Phoenix area allows for an easy commute, yet provides the natural relaxation and opportunities for recreation and safe living that today's family craves. Prescott Valley residents cherish their rural lifestyle and scenic vistas, but the town also hosts a variety of small businesses, which provide significant employment prospects and services to its citizens.

The Town of Prescott Valley, along with the Humboldt Unified School District and Arizona Department of Transportation, act as the major public employers. Serving as the major businesses in the private sector are Prescott Newspapers, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, M I Windows and Doors, Printpack, Arizona Public Service, Ace Retail Support Center, Hensley Budweiser, Superior Industries, Mountain Valley Regional Rehabilitation Hospital and the Lockheed Martin Training Center.

There are many opportunities for business relocation and growth in the Prescott Valley area. The town of Prescott Valley houses the Economic Development Department, which works to bring retail businesses to the community. The Prescott Valley Economic Development Foundation provides services for businesses looking to relocate to Prescott Valley.

In both commerce and industry, foresight and imagination are the driving forces behind progress. New twists to old procedures, exciting ideas and incredible commitment to dreams are responsible for the diversity and flexibility that keep Prescott Valley a notch above other marketplaces.

Shopping & Dining

Shopping in Prescott Valley is active, with a community that recognizes the economic and personal benefits of shopping locally. The town offers a variety of shopping options, and its inviting central business district commands several square blocks in the heart of the community. Prescott Valley Crossroads and the Glassford Hill Marketplace shopping centers offer major retail stores that complement the many fine specialty shops in the area. One may find home furnishings and accents, books, antiques and collectibles, as well as numerous eateries and professional services. There is something for everyone here.

Located throughout the town are a wide variety of fine restaurants and convenient fast-food establishments. A medley of culinary delights awaits; from zesty Mediterranean dishes and exotic Oriental creations to south-of-the-border specialties and down-home Midwest cooking. Whether you want a quick bite on the run, a family dinner or a five-star dining experience, Prescott Valley has it all.

Healthcare

Prescott Valley is fortunate to have an outstanding community of healthcare providers that serve the needs of our growing region. For advanced acute care services, our residents look to Yavapai Regional Medical Center's (YRMC's) East Campus, a 50-bed hospital located in the heart of Prescott Valley.  The East Campus is part of the Yavapai Regional Medical Center, a private, not-for-profit healthcare provider and the largest employer in Yavapai County.  YRMC East provides a wide range of healing services that include 24-hour emergency care, inpatient and outpatient surgical services, medical laboratory services, advanced wound care, cardiopulmonary care, inpatient and outpatient medical imaging, and much more.

The YRMC Women's Health Pavilion, located on the campus of YRMC East, features the Family Birthing Center and the BreastCare Center.  The Family Birthing Center, licensed as a Level II Continuing Care Nursery, provides comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care as well as extensive patient education. YRMC's BreastCare Center features state-of-the-art diagnostic and patient navigation services and has the only Breast MRI of its kind in Arizona…designed from the ground up to study breast tissue.

For surgical care, the residents of Prescott Valley are in good hands, in fact, very good hands, as YRMC has 24/7 Emergency and Level IV trauma.  It has been recognized for having one of the safest surgical programs in the country with surgical services in Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurosurgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Breast Surgery and General Surgery.  The James Family Heart Center located on the west campus brings progressive surgical care, cardia catherization and angiography laboratories, critical care and progressive care units to one central location for highly coordinated, highly personalized cardiac care.

Complimenting YRMC's extensive inpatient and outpatient services is Mountain Valley Rehabilitation Hospital, a 40-bed center specializing in a comprehensive variety of rehabilitation care that allows patients and their families to receive treatment and service close to home. These facilities, along with Prescott Valley Primary and Urgent Care Clinic, a network of outstanding physicians and advanced clinical practitioners, fitness centers, and assisted living and skilled nursing facilities provide our residents with the care they need with compassion and dignity.

Fitness centers help Prescott Valley residents of all ages stay active and keep fit.

Additionally, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities are available for residents with special needs.

Government

A mayor, six council members and a town manager govern the town of Prescott Valley, actively promoting and preparing for our city's future. With those sentiments in mind, the council has played a major role in the city's sustained growth. Under the direction of this mayor and council, the town created the popular and successful Citizen's Academy. This 10-week course educates community members about the various departments within the town government and their functions.

The Prescott Valley Police Department (PVPD) is currently staffed with 62 sworn personnel and 16 civilian positions divided into two main divisions. The Field Services Division consists of patrol, traffic, K9, animal control and a special response team. The Support Services Division consists of criminal investigations, school resource and records. In addition, the chief's Administrative Section consists of administrative support, training/background coordination and volunteers. PVPD also belongs to a regionalized dispatch center housed in Prescott.

The department practices community-oriented policing and participates in such programs as Neighborhood Block Watch, Business Watch, National Night Out, D.A.R.E., "Every 15 Minutes," First Responder Smart Card, Watch Your Car, Police Explorers and Volunteers in Policing. The department also hosts a Citizens Police Academy once a year, open to all members of the community.

The internationally-accredited Central Arizona Fire and Medical serves the town of Prescott Valley. The fire district is staffed by career professionals providing the following main services: modern fire suppression techniques, advanced life support, hazardous materials, public education and fire safety inspections.

Population    39,667
Founded    1966 (incorporated 1978)
Elevation    5,100 ft.

Worship

Prescott Valley has many churches representing diverse faiths and denominations. Members of the Prescott Valley faith-based community work together. The spirit of cooperation is not clouded by sectarian differences. There are over 30 churches of different denominations.

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Source: http://www.pvchamber.org/list/member/blue-cross-blue-shield-of-az-1111

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