Yuma Territorial Prison

We visited Yuma Territorial Prison. Really a great outing. It was built in 1876 and the first 7 inmated were locked in the cells they had built themselves. It housed more than 3000 prisoners over the time it served as a prison. Besides serving as a prison it served as Yuma Union High Scholl from 1910-1914 (students were often referred to as the criminals from Yuma High) From 1920-1930 it offered free lodging to the hobos riding freight trains. It also offered free homes to the homeless durind the depression area. People were sentenced to the Yuma Territorial Prison for crimes such as burglary, assault, selling liquor to Indians (164) adultry (27), pologmy (11), obstructing railroad, seduction (3), and prize fighting (1). 4 women were inprisoned for adultry with sentences varying from 4 months to 2 years. They have a small museum which tells history of the prison. You can also view a film about the prison. The cost to tour the prison was $4 per adult. Also on site, you can see a few false store fronts with cute names for stores and owners. Hollywood also made use of the prison for some of their movies. In fact, they lowered an entrance to the cell block because the actors were short and they wanted the actors to appear taller. For those who would like, click on the link "our travel photos" at the right and go the the Yuma Territorial prison album for more pictures of the prison and the store fronts.