We certainly wouldn’t call ourselves history buffs, however, in saying that we do enjoy visiting historical places. There is a definitive intrigue with them and seeing how people lived and worked in the past. In a way, it’s fun to try and get a real sense of what life was like in years gone by. Prisons and asylums are especially fascinating of course, because of the ever-looming notion of ghosts and paranormal activity!!! Such is the case of Yuma Territorial Prison.
Yuma Territorial Prison has wonderful signage so it’s easy to get to, and on arrival, there is ample parking on the very neatly kept grounds. The State Park gates open at 9 am, but we always arrive early which gives us plenty of time to snap some photos without any crowds. And as an added bonus we did the small walk to the prison cemetery which is 270ft from the car park.
Prison Cemetery
104 of the 111 inmates who died during their prison time now call these shallow rock and soil covered graves home. Most of whom passed due to tuberculosis and other diseases.
There are no headstones or visible markings, just piles of stones outlying the shapes of their bodies. Apparently, most of the wooden grave markers have either become victims to the environment over time or taken as souvenirs by tourists. Yes, you did read that right! Souvenirs!
Prison Entrance
As you walk through the entry gate, take some time to read the information plaques to the right. They show old photos of the land where once the mighty Colorado River covered most of the area, and the flood
We purchased our tickets from the gift shop and had a quick mooch around before entering the grounds and the main prison.
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON Grounds
The outside area opens up onto an expanse of grass. To the right, there is a wagon relic, the old train bridge and the Ocean to Ocean Highway bridge, which opened in 1915. From the viewing deck, you are able to see the Colorado River and the granite outcroppings from the Yuma Crossing.
Yard with wagon 
Ocean to Ocean Highway Bridge
To the left, there is a reconstruction of one of the many guard towers. It is the dominating feature, even from the carpark and the first thing your eyes gravitate towards.
From the top of the tower, which about the height of a second story building, you can view the Yuma East Wetlands Restoration Project and overlook the prison complex.
Museum
One of the last remaining original adobe structures, known as the Sally Port was the actual main entrance to the prison. All the convicts would have entered here and if lucky, exited here too.
Once through the Sally Port, the next stop is the museum, which was once the site of the mess hall. The exhibits include photos, artefacts and information about the prisoners who once occupied this brutal establishment. There is also a short video giving more detailed facts about the complex and its most notorious occupants.
Main Prison
The Yuma Territorial Prison opened in 1875 excepting its first seven inmates in 1876. These convicts actually built the cells they were now to call “home”. Over the next 33 years, 3,069 prisoners including 29 women served their sentences here.
photo gallery
Up to six prisoners shared a cell with only one pot to “piss in” between them. I couldn’t imagine sharing such a small space with five other adults, let alone all using the same pot to do our business!
Originally the prisoners slept on wooden bunks, but with all the bed bugs they made the switch to iron in 1901.
All the cells locked down at night but during the day the inmates would work in the rock quarry, kitchen, wood yard, or on prison construction.
The Dark Cell
Then there was the “Dark Cell” lit only by a shaft of light from a small window. This cell was for those who decided rules were meant for others to follow. Think of it as the equivalent of solitary confinement by today’s standards.
Yuma had very strict policies which they enforced, including no fighting, no gambling, no littering, no weapon making, and all prisoners had to bathe once a week. Those who didn’t abide by these rules had to wear a ball and chain, or worse, spend time in the dark cell. You would be locked in an iron cage, placed in the middle of the 15 ft x 15 ft room, and chained to a ring bolt. Although made to serve for isolation purposes, up to 12 people at a time had been known to be locked in, with barely enough elbow room to move. They were stripped to their underwear and had bread and water just once a day.
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON – dark cell photo gallery
There are no deaths to report in the dark cell, although on two occasions prisoners went to a mental asylum after their punishment.
Today, there is no cage, however, you can see the remains on the floor and there is an unusual aroma, perhaps the stench of the past sticks to the stone walls. And do watch out for the bats. We saw at least a dozen little critters flying around.
Escapes
The inmates would call this place a Hell Hole, but in fact, their treatment was quite good considering. There were options to take lessons on how to read and write. German and Spanish were taught along with arithmetic. A library was available and medical care was provided, which was unusual for that era.
Obviously, many prisoners attempted to escape, out of which 26 were successful. Eight, however, died of gunshot wounds.
The prison bell was an alarm for the townspeople alerting of a breakout or riot. It was so loud that people would hear
Spirits and Hauntings OF YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON
People claim that the prison and the grounds are the most haunted in Arizona. One such spirit is that of a little girl, said to have died in 1909 during the Great Depression. Her antics include touching people with her ice-cold fingers, and pinching and poking visitors especially those wearing red.
Within the offices, museum and even the gift shop, there have been reports of objects moving, lights turning on and off. Even money from the cash register has flown through the air.
The Ghost Adventures crew came to investigate the dark energy found within its walls. You can watch a short clip of the episode below.
The Demise of YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON
In 1909, the last of the prisoners were taken to the newly opened Arizona State Prison. In 1910 the buildings became useful as a high school. What a transformation!
Over the years Yuma Territorial Prison has diminished in size. Parts of the structures and stone walls have been used as building materials elsewhere. Some of it had to be
The building has had many uses. School, hospital, and even a homeless shelter during the Great Depression. However, with the new owners Arizona State Parks, it is now on the National Register of Historic Places and is a well-maintained part of American history.
short video about the history of YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON – In A Nutshell
- Address – 1 Prison Hill Rd, Yuma, AZ 85364
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
- Entry fees – $8 Adults. $6 Seniors age 62 and over. $4 Children age 7 to 13. Free for children 6 and under
- Free parking
- The graveyard is 270ft to the right of the car park – sign-posted
- Official Website
Location Map
Leave a Reply