Places, Earth
Yuma Prison State Park

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Yuma Prison State Park

Yuma Prison State Park sits beside the Colorado River in the historic City of Yuma. The prison closed in 1909 but saw new life for a time as a high school 1910-14. It was used by homeless drifters during the depression, and a dog pound. After a floor in 1916, materials from the buildings were reused to rebuild the city. Unfortunately, about one third of the prison was demolished to make way for the approach to the new railroad bridge built in 1923.
more text to follow.


The prison as seen from across the Colorado River from California near the Saint Thomas Indian Mission.


Guard tower built over the water tank.

At first, a visitor might think that this is just a guard tower. In fact, the granite structure below the guard platform is the prison's 85,000 gallon water tank. Both the tank and the connecting tunnels were built with inmate labor. The tunnels brought river water to the base of the tank from where it was pumped into the tank. There were many pump failures so in 1983 prison officials and Yuma Water and Light agreed to pipe in city water in exchange for excess prison generated electricity sent to the city. The reduce evaporation, a roof was built over the tank which became a guard platform. Later a roof was added. As smaller towers were added to the prison walls, the platform was glassed-in to make sleeping quarters for the guards with a catwalk extending to the wall. After the prison closed, among other uses, the tower was used as a civil defense lookout during World War II.

Guard tower as seen before entering the park.

As seen from inside the park, entry building is at left.

Guard tower as seen before entering.

Guard tower as seen from the park entry building.


Guard tower as seen from across the railroad and old HIghway 80.

Front.	Back.
This now free-standing gate was once part of a wall. Called the Sallyport, this was the main entrance to the holding area. Sallyport is dirrived from the Spanish words "salir por la puerta" meaning "to go out the door." The passage has a gate at each end far enough apart to accomodate one wagon.

The passage was long enough for a wagon with the gates closed.


This gate leads to a corridor between two cell blocks and is lined with cells.

North end of cell block.

North wall of cell block.

Cell block.

Block.


Corridor between blocks.


Row of cells. Note the long bars on the doors to keep the locks and hinges beyond reach of the inmates.


Cells.


Corridor betwen cell blocks looking out.

Section of wall with imbedded grate.

Section of wall.

Corridor between cell blocks.

Cell.


Cell interior. Six inmates were housed in a small cell.

Cell interior.

Top of stone wall.

Top of wall.


This gate is at the other end of the corridor from the gate shown above.

Gate.

Hinge.

Wall detail.

Cells as seen from across the railroad and street.

The Incorrigible Ward, beyond the bell and to the left of the stone cell block, was built in 1904. It consisted of five steel cages within an adobe building.

Tool storage.

Barber shop.

The double doors at left is the library.

In 2005.

In 2009.


Tool Room.

Cell

The Dark Cell

The Dark Cell was for the worst of the offenders and not a place you wanted to go. The average stay was about 1-14 days, but one man spent 104 days straight. The men were in a cage 5 foot high and 10 wide, chained while inside. One time, 14 men were in the cage at the same time. There were no sanitary provisions, the prisoners had to use a corner. In October, watch for bats.


The center door is the Dark Cell.


Outside of entrance to the Dark Cell.


The only way in or out of the Dark Cell, was through this narrow passage.


Prisoners where chained to this floor grate.

This small hole in the ceiling was the only light and ventilation in th Dark Cell. Although there are stories of guards dropping snakes and other animals through the hole, there are no records of injuries to prisoners from, bites from these animals.

Entering the Dark Cell.

Looking out of the Dark Cell.

The New Yard

A hundred of so feet to the left of the Dark Cell is an almost unnoticed door that leeds to the yard added in 1900. To the right side of the yard are a row of cells that open to the yard. Only two men escaped from the prison without being recaptures. Both escaped from cells in the new yard, one by sawing off the lock, the other using a rope ladder.

This small door is the main entrance to the yard.

This is the yard side of the door.

Yard.

Yard

Yard

Yard.

One of the cells off the yard.

Cell off the yard.


Cell off the yard.


Cell door.

Black cat in yard.

bell

Bell.

Wagon

Museum

The Museum is the former dining hall. It is now filled with exhibits.


This model shows how the prison looked. Most of the righ side is now gone.

Old wagon in the Museum.


A simulate gun fight show is conducted regularly.


These grave stones are just for fun.

Cactus.

Palm.

Palm.

Palm.


Cemetery.


Looking at the prison from across the Colorado River.


Looking at the prison from across the Colorado River.

Yuma County Main Page

This page last updated: Sunday, 02-Oct-2011 23:18:59 EDT

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Places, Earth Yuma Prison State Park

Yuma Prison State Park

The Dark Cell

The New Yard

Museum

This page last updated: Sunday, 02-Oct-2011 23:18:59 EDT

Places, Earth
Yuma Prison State Park