While nobody was ever executed here, 111 prisoners died while serving their time.Īfter the prison was closed for overcrowding in 1907, it was used by the Yuma Union High School from 1910 to 1914, and during the Great Depression as a shelter for homeless. Surrounded by the enormous desert and the huge Colorado River, the chances of escape were slim. Built in 1875 by the first group of prisoners, the prison hosted 3,069 prisoners in its time, among them were 29 women.

Its legacy lives on thanks to the movie 3:10 to Yuma, and of course the museum located on-site. The Yuma Territorial Prison played a big part in the history of the Old West, inspiring fear in those on the outside of the law, although it only operated for 33 years. Browse our romantic weekend getaways in Arizona guide for more ideas.Ĭastle Dome Mine Rd, Yuma, AZ 85365, Phone: 928 920-3062 This remnant of a lively frontier town serves as a piece of history to honor a place where only the rugged and brave could survive. Visitors can see original structures such as the mills, an original boiler, the stamp mill, an elevator, the boardwalks, the church, the five saloons, and so much more. The buildings are furnished with authentic artifacts collected from the surrounding mine shafts. There are about 50 buildings that were brought from different locations in the area to form the museum. The town looks almost frozen in time, it’s almost hard to believe that the miners, post office workers, bartenders and customers are not going to return at any moment.

Located in the Castle Dome Mountains, this ghost town recognizes the pioneers who came to make their fortune from silver and copper. What was in 1878 a thriving mining town larger than Yuma, is today a ghost town and a museum showcasing the way of life of a mining town.

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