Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, Arizona
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area stands as a vibrant testament to the interwoven histories of the American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo-American cultures. Designated as the first National Heritage Area west of the Mississippi River, this 21-square-mile expanse encompasses the city of Yuma, Arizona, strategically positioned near the borders of California and Mexico. Its significance stems from its role as a crucial crossing point on the Colorado River, a natural narrowing that historically facilitated passage across the otherwise formidable waterway. While modern bridges now span the river, the area retains its historical allure, boasting granite outcroppings, well-preserved historic buildings, and sites that narrate tales of centuries past.
The story of Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is one of convergence. For centuries, this location has been a vital transportation and communication corridor. During the Spanish colonial period, it served as a gateway between New Spain and Alta California. Later, during the era of American westward expansion, it connected the American Southwest with the burgeoning state of California. The area’s strategic importance is inextricably linked to the Colorado River, the region’s lifeblood, which, while essential for sustenance, presented a significant obstacle to safe passage.
The Colorado River’s powerful currents posed a challenge for those seeking to traverse it. Long before European arrival, American Indian tribes, the forerunners of the modern-day Quechan and Cocopah peoples, recognized the unique characteristics of the river at this specific location. The natural granite outcroppings served as a means to moderate the river’s flow, rendering crossing feasible. Consequently, numerous indigenous communities flourished along the riverbanks near this strategic crossing, establishing a deep connection to the land and its resources.
The arrival of Europeans in the 16th century marked a new chapter in the history of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. Spanish explorers, under the leadership of Hernando de Alarcon and Melchior Diaz, embarked on expeditions that navigated the Colorado River from the Sea of Cortez. In 1540, they encountered thriving communities along the river, near the crossing point. These early explorers bestowed the name "Yuma" upon the area, inspired by the smoke emanating from the cooking fires of the indigenous inhabitants. Deriving from the Spanish word "humo," meaning smoke, the name became synonymous with the people and the place.
Following the initial explorations, other Spanish figures left their mark on the region. Father Eusebio Kino, driven by a desire to establish missions and convert the native population to Christianity, ventured into the area during the mid-17th century. Subsequently, in 1774, Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition across the Yuma Crossing, seeking a practical overland route from Mexico to northern California for New Spain. Anza’s arrival in Yuma in January led to the establishment of amicable relations with the Quechan tribe, who controlled the crossing. This alliance facilitated the safe passage of future Spanish settlers across the river. Anza’s trail and the Yuma crossing subsequently opened the path for increased Spanish settlement in Alta California.
However, as the usage of the crossing increased, the Spanish desire to exert control over the area strained relations with the Quechan tribe. This tension ultimately culminated in a rebellion in 1781. The Quechan’s successful destruction of the Spanish settlement at the crossing marked a turning point, as the Spanish never again attempted to assert dominance over the Quechan people or the Yuma Crossing. This event stands as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination of the indigenous population in safeguarding their ancestral lands.
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area continued to evolve throughout the 19th century, shaped by the Mexican-American War and the subsequent Gold Rush. The conclusion of the Mexican-American War in the late 1840s resulted in Mexico ceding a significant portion of the American Southwest to the United States. The Gadsden Purchase of 1854 solidified the inclusion of the area south of the Gila River in Arizona, including Yuma, into the United States. The discovery of gold in California in the mid-1800s triggered a massive influx of Anglo-Americans into the region. The town, initially known as Colorado City, witnessed an extraordinary surge in traffic, with over 60,000 travelers crossing the Colorado River by rope ferry in a single year, all driven by the allure of gold.
Recognizing the strategic importance of the area, the U.S. Army established Fort Yuma in 1852, strategically positioned on Indian Hill overlooking the crossing. In the 1860s, the U.S. Army further solidified its presence by establishing the Quartermaster Depot, a vital supply hub for the burgeoning American Southwest outposts. Freight and supplies were transported by sea and then up the Colorado River via steamships to reach the depot. At any given time, the warehouse maintained a six-month reserve of essential provisions, including food, clothing, ammunition, and other necessities for forts in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas.
The arrival of the railroad in 1877, eventually becoming part of the Southern Pacific Railroad’s coast-to-coast network, diminished the Quartermaster Depot’s significance. Consequently, the Army closed the depot in 1883. The site subsequently served various purposes, including housing the first office of the U.S. Reclamation Services, now known as the Bureau of Reclamation. The U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot, a testament to its historical importance, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it stands as the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, showcasing five of Arizona’s oldest and best-preserved buildings dating back to the depot’s inception. Exhibits within the park highlight the remarkable engineering achievements of the Bureau of Reclamation’s irrigation project.
As Arizona City, renamed after a devastating flood in 1862, gained prominence, it earned a reputation as one of the busiest and wildest towns in the Old West. Following the Civil War, Main Street was widened to accommodate the heavy wagon traffic. Officially incorporated as Arizona City in 1871, the town underwent another name change in 1873, adopting the name Yuma. In 1876, the infamous Yuma Territorial Prison was established, with its first prisoners chiseling seven cells out of the granite hillside.
The Yuma Territorial Prison remained operational until 1909, when overcrowding necessitated its closure. However, shortly after the prison’s closure, the local high school was destroyed by fire. The abandoned prison buildings provided temporary classroom space for area students from 1910 to 1914. The 1920s saw the rerouting of the railroad, resulting in the destruction of half of the original prison structure. During the Great Depression, distressed families and hobos sought refuge in the abandoned buildings. Local volunteers stepped in to save the prison from further deterioration, transforming it into a city museum, which subsequently became the main attraction of the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. The park is open year-round, offering visitors a glimpse into the prison’s history, which gained significant fame after being featured in the 1957 film and the more recent remake of 3:10 to Yuma. Like the Depot, the prison is an integral part of the Yuma Crossing and Associated Sites National Historic Landmark.
At the dawn of the 20th century, Yuma’s focus shifted from the Wild West to taming the Colorado River. The newly established U.S. Reclamation Services, now the Bureau of Reclamation, embarked on an ambitious irrigation project known as the Yuma Project. Construction of the Laguna Dam, located just 13 miles northeast of Yuma, commenced in 1905. The project also involved the construction of a massive tunnel and the Yuma Siphon, which drew water from the California side of the river into the town of Yuma. An exhibit within the Corral House of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park provides detailed information about the construction of the Laguna Dam and the Yuma Project.
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area encompasses a collection of districts and individual properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Yuma’s historic downtown, featuring the Yuma Main Street Historic District and the Brinley Avenue Historic District, serves as a vital center for the community. During the Gold Rush era, Main Street channeled thousands of travelers to the Colorado River rope ferry. Due to its proximity to the river, the town experienced numerous floods, which swept away buildings on multiple occasions. The last major flood occurred in 1916, resulting in the majority of buildings on Main Street dating back to the 1920s. Madison Avenue, situated within the Brinley Avenue Historic District, was less susceptible to flooding, allowing visitors to view buildings dating back to the 1860s. The buildings in this area range from adobe residential structures to commercial blocks.
Adjacent to the historic downtown lies the Yuma Century Heights Conservancy Residential Historic District, the first suburban development in the area. Developed in the early 20th century, the neighborhood showcases an eclectic mix of Victorian architecture. During World War II, the Yuma area experienced a surge in activity with the opening of the Yuma Army Air Base, which became one of the busiest flight schools in the nation. Following the war, development and growth shifted away from the historic downtown. However, in recent years, the community has undertaken concerted efforts to revitalize the downtown area.
In recent times, Yuma has opened the Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza, an outdoor exhibit area located at the same site where the first railroad entered Yuma in 1877. The exhibit area elucidates the historical significance of the natural crossing at Yuma. The park preserves the original concrete pivot on which the rail bridge would turn to allow boats to pass. The city is also dedicated to restoring the riverfront. The East Wetlands, an area spanning 1,400 acres, has been designated as a nature preserve. Confined by levees for flood control, the riverbank had become clogged with silt and non-native vegetation. To date, the city has restored 400 acres to its natural habitat. A 3-mile hiking trail within the East Wetlands is now open to the public. The West Wetlands, encompassing 110 acres of riverfront parkland, provides recreational opportunities for visitors. The Quechan Indian tribe plays a pivotal role in the heritage area, particularly in the restoration of the Yuma East Wetlands.
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is both a unit of the National Park System and a National Historic Landmark. It is conveniently located just off Interstate 8, midway between San Diego, California, and Phoenix, Arizona. The Yuma Quartermasters Depot State Historic Park is situated on North 4th Ave and offers free admission. The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is located at Giss Parkway and Prison Hill Rd. The Pivot Point Interpretive Park can be found where Madison Avenue meets the river. The East and West Wetlands, located near the Colorado River, provide opportunities for outdoor recreation.