High on a bluff where the Colorado and Gila Rivers meet in Yuma, AZ is the site of Yuma Territorial Prison. Now a historic state park, the prison once had the reputation of being the most feared prison in the west. Before the prison was built a military fort was located nearby. In 1850's the Gold Rush led many individuals to the west and the town of Yuma flourished. By 1875 the need for a territorial prison was recognized. Built by the prisoners themselves, the first were jailed in 1876.
One of the more famous prisoners was lady stage coach robber Pearl Hart...rumor is that after she robbed the stage, she gave each passenger $1 back so they could get something to eat or drink at the next stage stop!
For the next 33 years it served as a prison. After that prisoners were moved to a new facility in Florence, AZ. Once the prisoners left, the facility had other uses. From 1910-1914 it served as a temporary High School for Yuma (the athletic teams name..."The Criminals"). From 1914 to 1923 it was a hospital. In the 1920's and 30's Depression era homeless families and hobo's occupied the cells as temporary homes. It was neglected for some years, then in the 1960's the park service began restoring it as a historical site. Now one can tour the prison
cells, guard tower, and the dreaded "Black Hole"...a cell without windows where those who failed to follow rules were shackled.
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