Jose Maria Redondo facts for kids

Jose Maria Redondo (born March 9, 1830 – died June 18, 1878) was an important figure in the history of Arizona. He was a Mexican-American businessman, a member of the Arizona government, and the mayor of Yuma, Arizona. Redondo is often called the "father" of the Yuma Territorial Prison. He also played a big part in changing the name of Arizona City to Yuma. He became very successful through his work in mining and irrigation in Arizona.

Jose Maria Redondo: A Pioneer in Arizona

Jose Maria Redondo was a notable person who helped shape the early history of Arizona. He was known for his business skills and his dedication to public service. His work helped develop the region, especially the city of Yuma.

Early Life and Business Ventures

Jose Maria Redondo was born in 1830. He grew up to become a successful entrepreneur. An entrepreneur is someone who starts and runs businesses. Redondo was very good at finding new ways to make money and help the economy grow.

He made a lot of his wealth from two main areas: mining and irrigation. Mining involves digging for valuable minerals like gold or silver. Irrigation is a way of supplying water to dry land. This helps farmers grow crops. Both of these activities were very important for developing Arizona in the 1800s.

Serving the Community in Politics

Redondo was not just a businessman; he was also a politician. A politician is someone who works in government. They help make decisions for the community. Jose Maria Redondo served in the Arizona Territorial Legislature. This was the group of people who made laws for the Arizona Territory.

Later, he became the mayor of Yuma, Arizona. The mayor is the leader of a city. As mayor, Redondo helped manage the city's daily operations. He also worked to improve the lives of the people living there.

The Yuma Territorial Prison and Yuma's Name

Jose Maria Redondo is especially remembered for his connection to the Yuma Territorial Prison. He is known as the "father" of this famous prison. This means he played a key role in its creation and early development. The prison was an important part of Arizona's history.

He also helped change the name of the city. Originally, the city was called Arizona City. Redondo was involved in the decision to rename it Yuma. This name change helped establish the city's identity. Yuma became a well-known place in the Arizona Territory.