The Palace Saloon opened in September 1877. Prescott’s Whisky Row sported a number of saloons, but the Palace was much more than your average honky-tonk or watering hole establishment. It was decked out in grand style and only the finest liqueurs from around the world were served. The Palace was the gathering point where men checked the boards for available work, came for the news of local and national election results, and mineral claim business was conducted over the bar. 
A fire in 1883 destroyed most of Whisky Row burning several of the buildings—including the original Palace. Owner, Robert Brow, made the decision to rebuild his popular drinking establishment stronger and grander than before. The new Palace Saloon had a stone foundation and sturdy brick walls. Inside, a 20 foot long bar and ornate back bar accented the new saloon.
Again in July of 1900 another fire ignited which destroyed much of downtown Prescott. Even the Palace Saloon could not be saved. They say saloon patrons grabbed the liquor inventory and delivered it across the street to the courthouse plaza. The beautiful 1880’s Brunswick bar was hoisted up by the faithful customers and carried to safety at the plaza as well. Drinks were served to the thirsty men as the blaze devastated the city.
The present Palace saloon reopened as the Palace Hotel in June 1901. It was a two story masonry building with a Neo-Classical Revival design. It was built of gray granite, iron, and pressed ornamental bricks. Near the top of the front façade is a carved seal of the Territory of Arizona. It sported large gambling tables that included faro, poker, roulette, kino and craps. A man could pay for his drinks with un-minted gold. The Palace had hostesses who entertained with music and possibly a bit of prostitution was served on the side. 
More recently, movie producers loved the location and films like “Junior Bonner” with Steve McQueen, and “Billy Jack” used the Palace in some memorable scenes. In 1996 new owners took over the Palace Saloon and major restoration began. With the aid of old photos, the beauty and elegance of the palace Hotel and Saloon of 1901 was again recaptured.
The MVD Ghostchasers paranormal team has had the pleasure of dining and ghost hunting at the historical Palace Saloon on several occasions. The team had been in Prescott doing a feature newspaper story on haunted Prescott. After several hours of doing mini investigations at local business and hotels, we decide a relaxing dinner at the Palace was in order.
While waiting for our meals to arrive at the table, we asked about the legendary ghosts still stepping up to the bar to quench their thirst. Our EMF meter began to show a reading about 2.2 near the back of the dining area—then suddenly subsided back to 0.5, an average reading.
I was curious to learn what went on in that back area. Our waitress told us a story of a high stakes poker game played in the Palace. A man named Nevins was in debt and put his mortuary up as collateral and lost everything he owned to the sheriff. Legend says the ill fated poker game was played in the back of the Palace Saloon. The men sat down at a poker table and the cards carefully shuffled. Tension filled the room. A large crowd assembled as the two men played for the rights of ownership of the funeral parlor. Perhaps Nevins spirit returns to the poker room to replay that fateful game of cards. 
Owner, Dave Michelson, was happy to share some of his ghost stories with us. He showed us a picture of the bar from the 1890’s that showed what looked like a ghostly figure in the background. Eyes widened as we studied the photo. He told us glasses fall off the rack for no reason and once a plant that had been sitting on the bar for quite a spell suddenly fell to the ground. Once a mannequin dressed in period clothing fell over the railing at the top of the stairs. There was no one around the staircase at the time.
In the movie “Junior Bonner,” a raging fight scene was filmed in the sprawling bar room of the Palace. It was one of the largest saloon brawls captured on film. Chairs and people were flying in every direction and crashing onto the tables. Bottles were thrown and the sound of glass breaking filled the Palace from one end to the other. Could the prankster ghosts be cowboys of an earlier time, or just one of the movie cowboys playing out a Peckinpah scene!
120 S Montezuma
Prescott, AZ 86303
928-541-1996
For more info: www.mvdghostchasers.com
Debe Branning nazanaza@ol.com
Comments
The Palace is a great place with real cowboy atmosphere. Tom Mix hung out there too!
Nice story, Debe!
That's right! Tom Mix was a big fan of Prescott! I can picture him visiting the Palace.
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