IF you ever visit Yuma, Arizona, and IF you are interested in seeing some of the Sights of Yuma, then right up at the top of your list should be a visit to the Yuma Territiorial Prison State Park.
I will begin by providing you with three links that will give you perhaps all you need to know about the Prison.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuma_Territorial_Prison
https://azstateparks.com/yuma-territorial/https://azstateparks.com/yuma-territorial/about-the-prison/park-history
Now go back in time with me to a Western Movie (circa 1957) starring Glenn Ford that I really enjoyed : 3:10 To Yuma.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3:10_to_Yuma_(1957_film)
So, having enjoyed the above movie, when I worked in Yuma (November 1963 to February 1964) one of the first things that I did was to take my family out to the Territiorial Prison.
This brings me to the present when Patti and I visited the Territorial Prison (in 2017 and again this April of 2021).
So here we go ..
YUMA ARIZONA TERRITORIAL PRISON STATE PARK
In the above (to the left) and below (to the right) photos, in the distance, you can see The Guard Tower that visitors can go up into to get an overview of the prison grounds.
I am calling The Guard Tower to your attention because it is a very prominent structure here at the Territorial Prison.
Below are some distant views of it.
Here it is, up close and personal.
Whoa! We are now up in The Guard Tower.
Now we will look out at the grounds.
In the above and below photos you are looking at the Prison Museum, another prominent and important building.
We are back down from The Guard Tower and you can see some items of interest as one enters the grounds.
Now we will go into The Visitor Center and gift shop that you must enter to gain access to the prison grounds. Admission to the prison is $8.00 for adults.
Here are some views of the grounds adjacent to The Visitor Center.
After you pass through the above Main Gate, you walk directly to the Prison Museum.
We are now inside of the Museum.
To use one of 'Zilla's favorite terms, below is a nifty model of the prison.
We also enjoyed the movie in the Museum.
The time has come the Walrus said.. to visit The Cells.
The Cells come immediately after you exit the Museum.
IF you look really closely at the center left side of the above photo, you can see the Dark Cells for inmates who broke prison regulations.
The significance of the Prison Bell totally escaped me!
Immediately outside of the prison is the Prison Cemetery.
And ?
There you have it !
Our visit to the YUMA ARIZONA TERRITORIAL PRISON STATE PARK.
Smiles and Hugs from me and Patti.
Well, they have prettied up that place since I was there in 1989. Not sure if it's for the better as it was stark and brutal back then and certainly conveyed a sense of the place.
ReplyDeleteYou think that it was stark and brutal in 1989 ?? You should have been there in 1963 / 1964 when I was living in Yuma. I even said so to the docents I spoke with during our previous (to this visit) and they whole hearted agreed with my assessment. Smiles .. Cap and as always, thanks for your comment.
DeleteIt is much like the difference between the Wyoming State Prison (1893) and the Wyoming Territorial Prison. The former was left fairly "as was", and the latter is much like a modern museum. The "as was" had much more impact as you walked the corridor and viewed the cells and the spot where prisoners were hanged or placed in a truly ghastly gas chamber that looked more like an antigue boiler. I you're ever in Wyoming, visit the former, skip the latter, and do have a marvelous meal at Rose's Lariat Mexican restaurant in Rawlins.
ReplyDeleteCan't imagine when (IF ever) we will be in Rawlins, Wyoming, Gullible. Make no mistake, some of these old time criminals, were indeed 'very bad actors' and their mistreatment in some cases they brought on themselves due to serious mental illness issues. Cap
DeleteThat was supposed to be "antique boiler".
ReplyDeleteGotcha. Smiles .. Cap
ReplyDelete