Yuma Territorial Prison

Yuma Territorial Prison is a former correctional facility on the banks of the Colorado River in the southwestern United States. The site includes preserved cells, a guard tower structure, and an exhibition area displaying documents and photographs from the years it operated.

The facility received its first inmates in 1876 and remained operational until 1909. After closing, the building served briefly as a school before eventually opening to the public.

The name reflects the period when Arizona was still a territory and prisoners arrived from across the region. Visitors today see preserved granite cells and personal belongings of inmates that make daily life in a frontier prison easier to understand.

The grounds are open daily except on Christmas Day and work well for a late morning or early afternoon visit. Pathways between the cells and museum are easy to walk, though some areas run over uneven ground.

The dining hall was among the first in the American West to have electric lighting installed. This innovation changed the daily routine of inmates and allowed for regular meals even after sunset.

Location: Arizona

Inception: January 1, 1961

Operator: Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Website: https://azstateparks.com/yuma-territorial

GPS coordinates: 32.72653,-114.61442

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:22