Expert: Dave Sewell - 1/5/2009

Question
We were just recently in Prescott, and I have to tell you that it made us
absolutely crazy to be constantly told it was pronounced "Preskitt".  Nobody
could explain why - just said that's how the "old timers" have said it for years.  
Do you know if the guy the town was named for said his name that way or
what?

Answer
A lot of people have asked this.......

The township was named after William Hickling Prescott, a noted historian.  Mr. Prescott was already dead when the township was founded in 1864, so he was never around to tell the folks how his last name was pronounced.

It is a local thing.  Yes it is spelled Prescott, but it is pronounced Preskitt.  Like Connecticut is pronounced Connetticut and other places have their own colloquialisms and pronounciations.

Next time you are in town, instead of letting it drive you crazy, just say Preskitt, and you will fit right in!