George Roskruge & S. Barry Casey Masonic Memorial Library & Museum
Preserving the rich history of Arizona Freemasonry
Episode 2: Yavapai County Courthouse
The Yavapai County Courthouse on the 100th Anniversary of the laying of the Cornerstone, 2016. From the Archives of the Roskruge/Casey Masonic Memorial Library & Museum.
Copyright 2025.
In 1916, the Prescott Square was bare -without a courthouse. Two previous courthouse buildings had existed in Prescott. The first, a 2 story loghouse, eventually burned down.
The second courthouse, built in 1878 on the Town Square, was a hodgepodge of additions and poor construction choices that became so unstable that one headline delcared the "Building Trembles like Glass of Jelly". It was torn down to make way for the new building.
In 1907, Frank O. Smith moved from Illinois to Arizona. At the time, he was a member of Sheridan Lodge No. 735. After a brief stay in Tucson, he relocated to Prescott, Arizona where he began practicing law at the law firm of Norris, Ross and Smith. On August 27th, 1909 Frank O. Smith joined Aztlan Lodge No. 1.
In 1916, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Arizona laid the cornerstone for the 3rd and final courthouse to occupy the town square. Judge Frank O. Smith, a member of Aztlan Lodge No. 1 and the 1st Superior Court Judge of Yavapai County, gave an oration about the importance of the Courthouse. His Oration speaks of civic responsibility and the duty the County has the individual and the individual to the county.
Judge Smith resigned his Judgeship in 1917 to serve the War effort during World War I. After the War, he moved to Phoenix where he Joined Arizona Lodge No. 2 on May 4th, 1920. He would become part of a new Law firm, Kibby, Bennett Gus & Smith and would serve as the President of the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the American Autobmobile Association. Judge Smith died on September 17th, 1936.
The Cornerstone of the Yavapai County Courthouse Prescott, Arizona - 1916. From the archives of Aztlan Lodge No. 1, Prescott AZ. Copyright 2025.
Grand Lodge of Arizona F. & A. M.
*An Excerpt from pg. 20 of the Journal of the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Arizona at a Special Communication, held in the City of Prescott, Arizona October 19th, 1916
From an Address by Frank O. Smith, Judge of the Superior Court of Yavapai County, State of Arizona acting as
Grand Orator:
"The building commonly called 'The Court House' is the one point in the county government where we all have a common interest and tie. From the cradle to the grave there is not a moment in the life of any one of us where his interests are not involved with those of every other citizen through the government carried on in this building. "
Judge Frank O. Smith
Superior Court Judge, Yavapai County Court
Photo from Who's Who in Arizona, Volume I. 1913
Compiled and Published by JO CONNERS
Attendees at the laying of the Cornerstone of the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott, Arizona - 1916.
From the archives of Aztlan Lodge No. 1, Prescott AZ. Copyright 2025
The full text of the Oration given at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yavapai County Courthouse
can be read in the 1916 Proceedings of the MW Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona
at the Digital Archives at The George Washington Masonic National Memorial
In 2016 The Grand Lodge of Arizona Free & Accepted Masons performed a 100 year Cornerstone Re-dedication, Grand Master Bob Bradfield presiding.
