Yuma Territorial Prison

Art Morgan

Built with prison labor, the Yuma Territorial Prison opened in 1876 and was in operation for 33 years when it closed due to overcrowding. Situated along the Colorado river, it is a stone's throw to what is now the Arizona/California state line.

When the Yuma High School burned in 1910, the prison was pressed into use as a high school for 4 years. Their sports teams still carry the name "The Criminals" from this period. Next, the buildings served as the county hospital for 9 years.

It served as "hobo housing" in the 20's and was home to many depression-era families in the 30's. After being deserted for many years, the prison had suffered much damage due to having building materials stripped out by the locals; and a large part of the property was demolished for railroad construction.
　


Cell Blocks

Iron door to the sallyport

Watch Your Step! (hallway to "the dark room" used as punishment)

Lots of time on their hands...

rwells

Nice series of an interesting place.

Art Morgan

Thanks Randy!

Dogdots

I agree .. a very nice series of photos. Thank you too for the story behind this building. Fascinating place.

Wonder what wore down the center in photo #4.

Art Morgan

Thank you for the comments, Mary.

Good question. Maybe leg chains dragging across? This was in the era that they'd put a ball & chain on you if tried to escape, and I suppose as punishment too.

Dogdots

Art Morgan wrote: »

Thank you for the comments, Mary.

Good question. Maybe leg chains dragging across? This was in the era that they'd put a ball & chain on you if tried to escape, and I suppose as punishment too.

You could be right .. never thought of the ball and chain.