Historic Buildings

Historic Buildings of Yuma

The historical sites in Yuma are the most visited historical landmarks in the Southwestern region of the U.S. These historic sites in downtown Yuma have been used for yearly festivals from First Street through Main Street. First Street and Main Street are the most used for celebration, fairs, dining, and tourism in Arizona. Yuma is located at the tip of southwestern Arizona. Yuma is well-known for historic landmark sites in Arizona, California, and Texas. After the retreat of the Mexicans in 1853, Yuma became part of the U.S. territory. Also, Yuma is one of the most famous places for agriculture since 1853 for the Americans. The historic places in downtown Yuma started when the Americans settled in the west. Since President Lincoln commanded the American soldiers, they settled in California and Arizona at the border of Mexico. Now, the historic sites of Yuma including state parks, and historic districts in downtown are well taken care of by the Arizonians. The historic buildings were well renovated and preserved. Some became museum sites. Most of the historic landmark sites of Yuma are 19th century colonial buildings. The following are the historical 19^th century colonial districts:

•      Main Street Historic District (was made in a 19th-century buildings)

•      The Hotel del Ming (1926)

•      Historic Bridge (1915)

•      Southern Pacific railroad (1877)

•      The Brinley Avenue Historic District.

•      The Molina Block (was also made in 19th-century architectures)

•      The Century Heights Conservancy District (1892-1936)

•      Gila Trail (1849)

•      Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (1875)

Yuma Quartermaster Depot

Yuma’s historic buildings were built as 19th century colonial architectural buildings. Yuma’s most well-known historic buildings are Yuma Quartermaster Depot and Yuma Territorial Prison. These two historic districts are located at the same location. Both historical places are across from each other, and they are located close to the Colorado River as one of the primary sources of water supply. Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park was a fort for the U.S Army. It is the oldest U.S. Military base. Major William B. Hopper built the Yuma Quartermaster Depot as part of the history of Arizona. This signifies as one of the first colonial places that was made in the southwestern part of the U.S. This historic site includes six historic buildings which protected the residents against the Indian tribes in the 1800s. This historical landmark site became a museum to show the history of the U.S. Army. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was built in 1864. It consisted of 10 acres with the old historic buildings and was surrounded with gardenscape. This place was used by residents to get supplies as it became the first frontier along the Colorado River. The materials and supplies were shipped to location in California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, and Utah. The U.S. military used this place as their main frontier in the southwestern area of the U.S. from 1864 to 1877. The U.S. military used a steamboat to carry supplies to maintain their daily lives in the 1800s. When the railroad was built in 1877, The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was closed, and the Quartermaster moved to Tucson, Arizona. Today, there are only five historic buildings left in the historic park. It became a historical landmark in the 1980s. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot and the Yuma Territorial Prison became listed as sites in the NRHP in 1997. Both places are open as museums exhibiting the old western life in Yuma. The Yuma Quartermaster is open all year round. The park is open for picnics, and it is located outside in the pavilion. At this location, there are many places to visit, such as the gift shop, store, houses for exhibition, telegraph house, the weather station, and museums.

The Yuma Territorial Prison began to be built on July 1, 1876. It is also listed in the NRHP as the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. Today, they use this historic site as a museum. Most of the prisoners’ convictions were polygamy and murder.  The State of Arizona decided to close the Yuma Territorial Prison in 1909. Three thousand sixty-nine prisoners stayed in the Yuma Territorial Prison. This is one of the oldest prison facilities that was built in the 1800s. The historical museum survived from the old west era. Yuma Territorial Prison consists of 7 acres along the Colorado River. The elevation is 140 feet. The prison was believed as one of the scariest places to visit when it was still a prison facility. The U.S military spent 25,000 dollars to build this prison in 1976. The Yuma Territorial Prison was renovated as they added high technology electricity, ventilation, water system, and a library.