List of historic properties in Yuma, Arizona facts for kids

Quick facts for kids List of historic properties in Yuma, Arizona
City
Historic Downtown Main Street
Location of Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona.

Welcome to Yuma, Arizona! This city in the southwestern corner of Arizona is full of amazing history. Yuma is the main city of Yuma County. This page will show you some of its most important old buildings and places. You'll learn about the Yuma Territorial Prison, the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, and other cool historic spots. These places help us understand Yuma's past.

Yuma's Early Days: A Brief History

The 1902 Blaisdell Slow Sand Filter Washing Machine

A 1907 Southern Pacific Railroad Locomotive

Long ago, the area where Yuma is now was home to the Yuma tribe, also called the Quechan people. In 1540, Spanish explorers Hernando de Alarcón and Melchior Diaz visited the area. They thought the narrow Colorado River crossing here would be perfect for a city.

At first, the Yuma tribe and the Spanish got along. But soon, their relationship became difficult. The Yuma people were forced to follow Spanish rules.

In 1853, Yuma became part of the United States Territory after the Gadsden Purchase. The U.S. built Fort Yuma. Many new settlers and farmers came to the area. The Yuma Crossing was very important during the California Gold Rush and later. It was famous for its ferry crossings on the Southern Emigrant Trail.

The Yuma tribe bravely fought to protect their lands in the Yuma War (1850–1853). But they were defeated. They had to move to Indian Reservations, like the one in western Yuma County.

In 1853, a small town called Arizona City started near Fort Yuma. It grew, and the government built the Yuma Quartermaster Depot. From 1864, this depot supplied all the forts in what is now Arizona. It also supplied large parts of Colorado and New Mexico. In 1871, Yuma became the main city for Yuma County. Arizona City was renamed Yuma in 1873.

Protecting Yuma's History

The Yuma County Historical Society works hard to save Yuma's old buildings. They team up with the Arizona Historical Society. Together, they helped restore the E. F. Sanguinetti House. This house is now a museum for the Arizona Historical Society. They also plan to restore the historic Molina Block, which was Yuma's first business building.

The city has a group that helps protect historic buildings. However, they cannot stop an owner from tearing down a historic property. Even if a building is on the National Register of Historic Places, its owner can still choose to demolish it.

Historic Places to Explore

Historic Districts: Walk Through Time

These three areas are recognized as historic by the National Register of Historic Places:

• The Brinley Avenue Historic District includes streets like W. 2nd St. and S. Main. It was listed in 1994. The old Yuma Theater, built in 1911, is in this district.
• The Yuma Century Heights Conservancy Residential Historic District is a neighborhood with many old homes. It was added to the list in 1988.
• The Yuma Main Street Historic District covers parts of S. Main St. and W. 3rd St. It was listed in 1982. The historic Kress Building, built in 1926, is here.

Historic Bridges: Connecting the Past

• The Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge was built in 1914. It was the first highway bridge across the Colorado River. It was a key part of one of the first roads that crossed the entire country. It was listed as historic in 1979.
• The Southern Pacific Railroad Bridge was built later, in 1923.

Historic Buildings: Stories in Stone

The 1926 Kress Building sign

Here are some of Yuma's historic buildings:

• Cactus Press-Plaza Paint Building was built in 1925. It is located at 30–54 E. 3rd St.
• The Dressing Apartments were built in 1915–17 at 146 1st. Ave.
• Gandolfo Theater was built in 1917 at 200 1st Ave.
• Fredley Apartments are located at 406 2nd Ave.
• Power Apartments were built in 1900 at 20 W. 3rd St.
• Hotel del Ming (Sol) was built in 1926 at 300 Gila Street. This building was even used in a movie!
• Lee Hotel was built in 1917 at 390 Main Street.
• Masonic Temple was built in 1931 at 153 2nd Ave.
• Pauley Apartments were built in 1926 at 490 West. 1st Street.
• San Carlos Hotel was built in 1930 at 106 1st. Street.
• Stoffela Store was built way back in 1899 at 447 Main Street.
• U.S. Post Office/Yuma Main was built in 1922 at 370 Main Street.
• Yuma City Hall was built in 1921 at 181 1st. Street.
• Yuma County Court House was built in 1928 at 168 2nd Ave.
• Southern Pacific Freight Depot was built in 1891 at 430 Main Street.
• Southern Pacific Railroad Depot is located on Gila St.
• Molina Block was built in 1870. It was one of Yuma's first business buildings.
• Drake Hotel was built in 1922 at 29–30 W. 2nd St.

Historic Schools: Learning Through the Years

These schools are important parts of Yuma's history:

• The Fourth Avenue Jr. High School was built in 1920 at 450 4th Ave.
• The Mohawk Valley School is located at 5151 South Ave. 39 East.
• The Roosevelt School is at 550 W. 5th St.
• The Mary Elizabeth Post Elementary School was built in 1940. It's named after Mary Elizabeth Post, a special educator. She started Yuma's first women's club in 1903. She also worked hard to create the Carnegie Library in Yuma.

Historic Churches: Places of Worship

These religious buildings are recognized as historic:

• The Methodist Church was built in 1905 at 256 1st. Ave.
• The Methodist Parsonage (a house for the minister) was built in 1893 at 248 1st. Ave.
• St. Paul's Episcopal Church was built in 1909 at 637 2nd Ave.
• Golden Marriage Bell Wedding Chapel is at 106 S. Madison Street. It was originally a "Popular Drug Store" built in 1891.

Historic Homes: Where People Lived

The Peter Hodge House shows how some historic places can become abandoned.

Here are some of the historic houses in Yuma:

• The Caruthers House is at 441 2nd Ave.
• The Connor House is at 281 S. 1st Ave.
• The Double Roof House is at 553 4th Ave.
• The Balsz House is at 475 2nd Ave.
• The Frank Ewing House was built in 1920 at 406 2nd Ave. Frank Ewing was a businessman and served as Yuma's Mayor twice.
• The Ruth Ewing House was built in 1906 at 712 2nd Ave.
• The Fredley House is at 408 2nd Ave.
• The Alfred Griffin House was built in 1905 at 641 1st. Ave. Alfred Griffin was the caretaker of the Yuma Grammar school.
• The Peter Hodge House was built in 1905 at 209 Orange Ave.
• The E. B. Jackson House was built in 1906 at 572 1st. Ave.
• The Jerry Kent House is at 450 3rd Ave.
• The Henry Levy House is at 602 2nd Ave.
• The George Marable House was built in 1906 at 482 Orange Ave.
• The Carmelita Mayhew House was built in 1909 at 660 1st. Ave. Carmelita was the wife of Felix Mayhew, who discovered the North Star Mine.
• The A.B. Ming House is at 468 Orange Ave.
• The Norton House is at 226 S. 1st Ave.
• The Ortiz House is at 206 S. 1st Ave.
• The Pancrazi House was built in 1905 at 432 Madison. Ange T. Pancrazi came from France and became a businessman and City Treasurer.
• The Clara Smith Riley House was built in 1909 at 734 2nd Ave.
• The Russell-Williamson House is at 652 2nd Ave.
• The J. Homer Smith House is at 600 5th Ave.
• The Brown House was built in 1893 at 268 1st. Ave.
• The Polhamus House was built in 1869 at 224-226 Madison. It was once used as a hospital and later became Yuma's first public library.
• The Sanguinetti House was built in 1870 at 240 Madison Ave. It is now the Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens.
• The Ghiotte House was built in 1915 at 90 W. 2nd Street. It belonged to John Ghiotti, who owned several grocery stores.

Yuma Pioneer Cemetery: Resting Place of History

The Yuma Pioneer Cemetery opened on June 24, 1895. It is located at 1415 1st, Avenue. A famous person buried here is Jack Swilling, who helped found the city of Phoenix. He rests in the Hodges family plot.

Yuma Territorial Prison: A Look Inside

Outlaw Bill Downing

The Yuma Territorial Prison was built by prisoners themselves in 1875. It opened when Arizona was still a U.S. territory. Life in the prison was very tough. Some prisoners slept on steel bunk beds. There was even a "Dark Room" for solitary punishment. Over 33 years, more than 3,000 prisoners were held here, including 29 women.

One famous prisoner was Jack Swilling, known as the "Father of Phoenix". He was held there for a crime he didn't commit and passed away in the prison in 1878. Other well-known people held here included:

• Burt Alvord – a lawman and train robber
• Bill Downing – a famous outlaw and train robber
• William J. Flake – a Mormon pioneer
• Pearl Hart – a stagecoach robber
• "Buckskin Frank" Leslie – a gunfighter
• Ricardo Flores Magón – a Mexican revolutionary leader
• Pete Spence – involved in the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

Today, the prison is a fascinating [historical museum]. It's part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

Yuma Quartermaster Depot: A Supply Hub

The Yuma Crossing is a special place in Arizona and California. It was very important for travel and communication across the Colorado River long ago. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was an Army supply base. It operated from 1865 to 1883 during Arizona's Indian Wars. Supplies were gathered here and sent all over the Southwest. They traveled by riverboats and by mule teams pulling wagons. Up to 900 mules were kept at the depot! Today, you can visit the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park.

Here are some important parts of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot:

• The Yuma Crossing Marker is on the banks of the Colorado River. It was listed as historic in 1966.
• The Yuma Quartermaster Depot buildings were built in 1864. They are part of the Yuma Crossing historic site.
• The Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Coach Car – S.P. X7 was built in 1875.
• The Southern Pacific Railroad Locomotive X2521 was built in 1907.

See also

• Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Yuma County, Arizona