In 1916, citizens were demanding that the old Yavapai County Courthouse on the Prescott Square be torn down because it was ugly and unsafe. The County Court Supervisors accepted a bid to build the courthouse, and on October 19th, 1916 The Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Arizona laid the Cornerstone of the new Courthouse. Frank O. Smith, Superior Court Judge of Yavapai County, gave an Oration about the importance of the event.