Yuma Territorial Prison
Yuma Territorial Prison
The Yuma Territorial Prison first opened on July 1st, 1876 with only seven inmates. Because of this prison, Yuma evolved in many ways. This prison was the first prison built in Arizona and was humanely administered at the time. This prison stood strong for the thirty-three years when it was up and running, and it would go on to hold over 3,000 prisoners. This building is a big part of Yuma and is an important factor in why Yuma is the way it is today. The Yuma Territorial Prison had many impacts on Yuma such as increasing its population, keeping harm away from civilians and imprisoning all kinds of criminals.
This famous historical park held exactly 3,069 prisoners in its existence. The youngest prisoner was only 14 …show more content…
Because of the Yuma Territorial Prison, Yuma got its first public library. The tour fee that was charged to visitors was used to buy books. In 1907, the prison had finally overcrowded and relocated to Florence, Arizona. From 1910 to 1914, the Yuma Union High School had occupied the prison’s buildings. The district was in need of facilities and at the time, the prison had been abandoned, so, the prison was also used as a school (End of Territorial). This is how Yuma High School got their mascot, the Criminal. After being used as a high school, the hospital had used its facilities until 1923. The year after, 1924, one-third of the prison was taken down in order to make new tracks. Another thing the prison was used for once it was shut down was as a clubhouse for Veterans from 1931 to 1960’s. Throughout the depression, hobos and homeless families were sheltered in the cells. The main guard tower there was also used during World War II. Something very shocking that not many people know is that western movies and music videos were also filmed at this very historic …show more content…
It was not until January 1st, 1961 that the Yuma Territorial prison opened to the public on a limited basis as a state historic park. Prior to this, in 1939, local residents had raised funds in order for renovation of the guard tower and construction of the museum that still stands today. Up until 1960, the city of Yuma had operated that area. Once it finally opened as a park, its first park manager was Clarisa Windsor. This great piece of history is still open to the public and is an amazing place to visit to get some insight on what it was like there, over 100 years ago. For example, imagine walking the footsteps of a former prisoner. Surprisingly, this prison is still in suitable condition, even after most of it was torn down in order to make new buildings and tracks because of a terrible flood in 1916 (End of
The Yuma Territorial Prison first opened on July 1st, 1876 with only seven inmates. Because of this prison, Yuma evolved in many ways. This prison was the first prison built in Arizona and was humanely administered at the time. This prison stood strong for the thirty-three years when it was up and running, and it would go on to hold over 3,000 prisoners. This building is a big part of Yuma and is an important factor in why Yuma is the way it is today. The Yuma Territorial Prison had many impacts on Yuma such as increasing its population, keeping harm away from civilians and imprisoning all kinds of criminals.
This famous historical park held exactly 3,069 prisoners in its existence. The youngest prisoner was only 14 …show more content…
Because of the Yuma Territorial Prison, Yuma got its first public library. The tour fee that was charged to visitors was used to buy books. In 1907, the prison had finally overcrowded and relocated to Florence, Arizona. From 1910 to 1914, the Yuma Union High School had occupied the prison’s buildings. The district was in need of facilities and at the time, the prison had been abandoned, so, the prison was also used as a school (End of Territorial). This is how Yuma High School got their mascot, the Criminal. After being used as a high school, the hospital had used its facilities until 1923. The year after, 1924, one-third of the prison was taken down in order to make new tracks. Another thing the prison was used for once it was shut down was as a clubhouse for Veterans from 1931 to 1960’s. Throughout the depression, hobos and homeless families were sheltered in the cells. The main guard tower there was also used during World War II. Something very shocking that not many people know is that western movies and music videos were also filmed at this very historic …show more content…
It was not until January 1st, 1961 that the Yuma Territorial prison opened to the public on a limited basis as a state historic park. Prior to this, in 1939, local residents had raised funds in order for renovation of the guard tower and construction of the museum that still stands today. Up until 1960, the city of Yuma had operated that area. Once it finally opened as a park, its first park manager was Clarisa Windsor. This great piece of history is still open to the public and is an amazing place to visit to get some insight on what it was like there, over 100 years ago. For example, imagine walking the footsteps of a former prisoner. Surprisingly, this prison is still in suitable condition, even after most of it was torn down in order to make new buildings and tracks because of a terrible flood in 1916 (End of