A Great Place to Escape –
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
A not so long time ago, Arizona was still a territory. And, in the 
Arizona Territory there was one place that metered out justice – the Yuma Territorial Prison. A prison, which was considered modern by late 1800’s standards, housed criminals from all walks of life. More than 3,000 desperados (men & women) were housed at the prison during its 33-year existence.
And, in this edition of Day Trippin’ we travel to the western reaches of the state to the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park located in Yuma.
So, bring some sunscreen and your shades to visit a prison, which is etched in Western history as well as a number of books and movies. Get ready to visit a piece of Arizona history.
Yuma is located approximately 180 miles southwest of Phoenix.
The Legacy
Why build the prison in Yuma? Well, there are a couple of seemingly plausible reasons – location (a barren, harsh desert to discourage 
escape), the presence of Fort Yuma, or even the fact supplies were readily available via steamship and, eventually the Southern Pacific Railroad. But, none are the real reason behind the prison’s placement in Yuma.
In short, it was political maneuvering which made Yuma the selected site. The prison was meant to 
be a boon to the local economy. And, thanks to legislators Jose Maria Redondo and R.B. Kelly, Yuma Territorial Prison became a reality.
Incidentally, Redondo is credited with being the "father" of modern-day agriculture in the Yuma area. Descendants of the family still reside in Yuma.
Although the prison seems to be a harsh and desolate place, it actually was considered to be a model – perhaps even futuristic – prison for its time. The prison had flush toilets, a sewer system, electricity and forced air ventilation, all which were in place by 1893. And, the prison even was able to sell its extra electricity to the town. It was even jokingly referred to as “the Country Club on the Colorado.”
Construction of the Prison
No architect was needed to create building plans for the prison. Instead the decision was made to hold a contest, with the winner receiving $150 in prize money, for the necessary plans. Construction of the prison began in 1875.
The first inmates, seven in all, entered the prison on July 1st, 1876. Construction continued throughout the prison’s 33 years. Additionally, the prison’s inmates completed the majority of the construction. Yuma Territorial Prison’s capacity was 350 inmates.
Eventually, the prison became landlocked and further expansion wasn’t possible. The prison was severely overcrowded by 1907. It was then necessary to seek an alternative to the prison, as the town wouldn’t lease additional land to the prison. Construction then began on a new prison in Florence, Az. and the final prisoners were transferred from Yuma to Florence in September 1909.
A New Lease on Life
While the facility ceased to function as a prison, it took on a new life. Believe it or not, when the local school district needed space for a high school, the decision was made to use the old prison hospital as well as some of the other structures. The high school was located on the prison grounds from 1910 through 1914. Today, Yuma High School athletic teams are still called the Yuma Criminals – or as locals say the “Crims.”
The prison also played another role in early days of the town. Yuma County leased the superintendent’s house as a county hospital from 1914 to 1923. And, when the town was flooded in 1916, the prison became a source of building materials for townspeople. The old guard’s quarters housed a VFW post from 1931 until a fire destroyed it in 1960. Along came the 1930’s, when the abandoned prison was used as a shelter of sorts for the homeless. During World War II, the main guard tower was used by the Civil Defense as an observation tower. Hollywood even took notice of the prison and it became a popular film location for western movies.
The Development of a State Park
Time had taken its toll on the prison. Structures fell into disrepair as building materials were salvaged from the site and were even destroyed to make space for the railroad. In an effort to preserve the prison, it was converted into a museum on the early 1940’s. In 1960, it was 
donated to Arizona State Parks.
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.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with the exception Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve when the park closes at 2 p.m. The park is closed on Christmas Day. Admission is $4 for adults. Children under the age of 14 are admitted at no charge.
Click Here for more information about Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park.
Touring the Prison
Located throughout the park are placards that provide additional information about the structures, which allows you to complete a self-
guided tour.
Touring the prison allows you to step back in time. And, wonder how anyone could serve out a sentence in such a harsh environment (summer temperatures often can reach 115 degrees), even though newspaper accounts stated that inmates had a rather easy time of it. Prisoners were able to learn trades or receive schooling, sell their crafts at weekend bazaars held at the prison and utilize a prison library. Prisoners even received skilled medical care.
In fact, the library, which could boast of having more than 1,500 books and almost 1,400 magazines and newspapers, could be used by townspeople who paid the 25-cent fee. The user fees were then used to purchase more books for the library.
But, still it is a prison after all. And, the small cells and remaining iron gates led to a sense of claustrophobia. You can imagine the desert sun baking the cells. The dark cell, used as a solitary confinement, looked like a place to avoid. And, there was no running water or plumbing within the cells.
The 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. Prisoners working off of the prison grounds made most escape attempts. However, 2 people did escape to freedom from the prison's grounds.
The Sallyport
The sallyport served as the main entrance to the 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. A small guard house is located to the right of the gates.
Museum
The museum building, which is not one of the prison’s original structures, houses a number of items from the prison’s early days as well as a wealth of information about the “residents” of the prison. While touring the museum you will be able to get a feel of the day-to-day life at prison. In addition to the displays and exhibits of items used or made at the prison, you can see photos and read accounts of the prisoners as well as other personnel at the prison.
And, 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.
You will also want to take time to watch the informational video that shows throughout the day.
The Cells 
The first thing you notice about the cells is how little space there is inside. 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.
You will be able to see a cell as it appeared with the bunk beds as 
well enter one of the cells.
The Cemetery
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.
There were no executions carried out at the prisons.
For more information about Yuma and other nearby attractions, please visit:
The Yuma Buzz
Yuma Territorial Prison
Yuma County Chamber of Commerce
Click Here to Visit Our Day Trippin' Archive.
