Yuma
Territorial
Prison
is
living
proof
that
there
really
was
a
wild
West.
More
than
3,000
culprits,
convicted
of
crimes
ranging
from
polygamy
to
murder,
lived
in
rock
and
adobe
cells
during
the
prison's
33
year
life.
Still
standing
are
the
cells,
main
gate,
and
guard
tower
that
give
visitors
a
glimse
of
convict
life
a
century
ago.
A
fascinating
museum
details
that
prison's
development
and
tells
stories
of
the
desperados,
including
29
women,
who
did
time
there.
For
visitors'
convenience,
picnic
tables
and
a
ramada
are
provided.
Nearby,
Yuma
Crossing
State
Historic
Park
is
one
of
the
Southwest's
richest
historical
sites.
Paytans,
Native
Americans,
Spanish
explorers,
mountain
men,
gold-seeking
emigrants,
soldiers,
muleskinners,
railroad
engineers,
steamboat
captains
and
shipping
magnates
met
at
this
single
junction
over
the
centuries.