Yuma has been known by several names throughout its history. From 1854 through 1858, it was known as Colorado City and from 1858 through 1873, Arizona City. Yuma received its present name by the Territorial Legislature in 1873.
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Castle Dome Museum is a restored ghost town once known as Castle Dome City. the ghost town museum has 20 buildings. Photo courtesy of C. Hattrup of Bouse, AZ. |
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Inside one of the buildings in the Castle Dome Museum near Yuma. Photo courtesy of C. Hattrup of Bouse, AZ. |
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Colorful bottles line a shelf at the Castle Dome Museum. Photo courtesy of C. Hattrup of Bouse, AZ. |
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A Stealth Bomber takes to the sky. Yuma has a rich aviation history, partially due to its ideal flight weather. The Marine Corps Air Station has access to 1.5 million acres of aviation training ranges. Yuma is also home to Army Yuma Proving Ground, which is the Army's natural environment testing area.
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The Yuma Territorial Prison was considered modern by late 1800’s standards. The prison housed criminals from all walks of life. More than 3,000 desperados (men & women) were housed at the prison during its 33-year existence. |
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The Yuma Territorial Prison. The original structures still standing include the water tank, guard tower, sallyport (the main entrance gate), cellblocks, the dark cell, the new yard and the prison cemetery. Other structures that have been added to the park include a museum as well as a visitor’s center. |
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A row of cells at the Yuma Territorial Prison. Six prisoners shared a cell – there was only room for rows of bunk beds. The only other adornments to the cell were a chamber pot and an iron ring cemented to the floor. The iron ring was used to chain prisoners who were being punished. |
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The sallyport served as the main entrance to the Yuma Territorial Prison. The sallyport is the only original adobe structure remaining at the prison. It utilizes a two-gate structure, which enabled prison guards to completely isolate the prisoner. |
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The interior of one of the cells at the Yuma Territorial Prison. Of the more than 3,000 people imprisoned there were 140 escape attempts, 26 that were successful. Prisoners working off of the prison grounds made most escape attempts. However, 2 people did escape to freedom from the prison's grounds. |
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A small cemetery is located just outside of the prison in which 111 inmates are buried. Wooden grave markers have deteriorated over time and all that remains are piles of rocks and monument, which lists the names of the interred. The causes of their deaths range from disease, suicide, rattlesnake bites and attempted escapes. |
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There were more than a few interesting characters who spent time at the Yuma Territorial Prison – both men and women. Women like Pearl Hart, who had the distinction of being the only female stagecoach robber. Hart, after being released from prison, began an unsuccessful career as an actress. And, then there was R.L. McDonald, a Phoenix school superintendent, who was charged with forgery. At the prison, he worked as a bookkeeper. It was a profitable experience for him. When McDonald left at the completion of his sentence; he walked away with $130 of the prisoners’ money. |
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Another view of the Yuma Territorial Prison’s guard tower. One of the first structures you notice at the prison is the Guard Tower, which offers a bird’s eye view of the prison as well as the surrounding Colorado River area. Of the more than 3,000 people imprisoned there were 140 escape attempts, 26 that were successful. |
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The border crossing near the Mexican town of Los Algodones, which is popular with tourists. |
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ATVs are a popular way to get around the Algodones Dunes. The Algodones are an active dune system that stretches more than 40 miles northward from the US-Mexico border in Eastern Imperial County, Ca. |
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