Yuma Territorial Prison is a historic site in Yuma, Arizona that operated as a prison from 1876 to 1909. Now known as Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, it offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into Arizona’s Wild West past.
History and Background
The prison opened on July 1, 1876 and housed 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, during its 33 years of operation. Inmates were incarcerated for various crimes ranging from murder to polygamy. The prison closed in 1909 when prisoners were transferred to a new facility in Florence, Arizona.Interestingly, after the prison closed, Yuma Union High School briefly used the buildings from 1910 to 1914 after their previous building burned down. The city of Yuma later used the complex as a city jail starting in 1915.
Visitor Experience
Today, visitors can tour the prison grounds and museum to learn about its history. Key features include:
- Original cellblocks built from granite quarried on-site
- The “Dark Cell” used for solitary confinement
- A reconstructed guard tower offering 360-degree views
- Museum exhibits with artifacts and stories of notorious inmates
The park provides a self-guided experience where visitors can explore at their own pace.
Admission and Hours
The park is open 7 days a week, with slightly different hours in summer and winter:
Admission prices are as follows:
Location and Nearby Attractions
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is located at 220 Prison Hill Road in Yuma, Arizona. The site offers excellent views of the Colorado River, Ocean to Ocean Bridge, and surrounding parks.Visitors can also explore other nearby historic attractions in Yuma’s downtown district, including:
- Sanguinetti House Museum & Gardens
- Colorado River State Historic Park
- Historic buildings like The Lee Hotel and Yuma Theatre
What are the most interesting facts about the Yuma Territorial Prison?
Here are some of the most interesting facts about the Yuma Territorial Prison:
- It operated for only 33 years, from 1876 to 1909, but housed 3,069 prisoners during that time, including 29 women.
- Despite its nickname “Hell Hole of the West,” the prison was considered relatively modern for its time, with amenities like electricity, running water, and flush toilets.
- Some prisoners were forced to build their own cells during the prison’s construction3.
- No executions took place at the prison, as capital punishment was administered by county governments.
- After the prison closed in 1909, Yuma Union High School briefly used the buildings from 1910 to 1914.
- The prison housed some notable inmates, including stagecoach robber Pearl Hart and Mexican revolutionary Ricardo Flores Magón.
- Of the many prisoners who attempted escape, 26 were successful and 8 died from gunshot wounds.
- The prison had a library of over 2,000 books, and many prisoners learned to read and write while incarcerated.
- In the mid-1880s, nine prominent Mormon leaders were imprisoned there for polygamy under the Edmunds Act.
- Today, the site operates as Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, featuring the original cellblocks, a museum, and a reconstructed guard tower offering 360-degree views of the area.
How did prisoners at Yuma Territorial Prison manage to escape?
- Despite its reputation, escapes from Yuma Territorial Prison were not uncommon. Out of the many prisoners who attempted to escape, 26 were successful and were never recaptured.
- Eight prisoners died from gunshot wounds during escape attempts.
- The prison’s location between the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado River created natural barriers, but some inmates still managed to escape.
- One of the most daring escape attempts occurred in September 1887, when seven Hispanic prisoners tried to break out. Led by Prisoner Puebla, they grabbed Superintendent Thomas Gates and tried to force him to open the main gate. This attempt ultimately failed.
- The prison had measures in place to deter escapes, including:
- Contrary to popular belief and depictions in movies, it was not impossible to escape from Yuma Territorial Prison. The idea that no one ever escaped is a myth.
- The harsh desert environment and the prison’s reputation as a “Hell Hole of the West” likely deterred some escape attempts, but did not prevent them entirely.
While the prison was considered relatively secure for its time, the fact that 26 prisoners successfully escaped over its 33-year history shows that determined inmates could find ways to break out, despite the challenges posed by the prison’s location and security measures.
What was the most daring escape attempt at Yuma Territorial Prison?
Canadian-born outlaw of the American Old West
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Born
Pearl Taylor, 1871, Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
Died
December 30, 1955, Gila County, Arizona, United States
Notable Crime
Committed one of the last recorded stagecoach robberies in the United States
Based on the search results, the most daring escape attempt at Yuma Territorial Prison occurred in September 1887. Here are the key details of this escape attempt:
- It was led by Prisoner Puebla and involved seven Hispanic prisoners.
- The prisoners seized Superintendent Thomas Gates as he was walking through the prison.
- They grabbed Gates and ordered him to get them through the Sallyport gate (main entrance) or they would kill him.
- Gates was forced to order the convict at the gate to open it, allowing the escapees and their hostage to exit.
- A violent struggle ensued, with guards and inmates exchanging gunfire.
- During the chaos, one inmate stabbed Superintendent Gates multiple times in the back with a knife.
- A prisoner named Barney Riggs, who was serving as a trustee, came to Gates’ aid. He grabbed a pistol from one of the inmates and shot the knife-wielding convict.
- The escape attempt ultimately failed, with four of the fleeing convicts killed and another wounded.
- Superintendent Gates survived the attack, though he never fully recovered from his wounds and later committed suicide in 1896.
This escape attempt stands out as the most daring and violent in the prison’s history, involving a hostage situation, multiple inmates, and resulting in several deaths and injuries.