Colorado River State Historic Park preserves the historic Yuma Quartermaster Depot site established by the U.S. Army in 1864. The park is part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which includes the site of Yuma Crossing, the Yuma Territorial Prison Park, wetlands, and city parks. The park features several buildings including the Office of the Depot Quartermaster, the Commanding Officer's Quarters, the Corral House, the Storehouse, a Southern Pacific Railroad Passenger Coach car, and a visitor center, which has exhibits that explore the depot's history.
The former Yuma City Hall is historically significant in the areas of architecture and local political history. In terms of design, it is an excellent example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. It features a hipped roof with red clay tiles, ornamental panels between the rows of windows, and a main entrance with Corinthian columns and other decorative features. It operated as city hall for several decades and now house the Yuma Chamber of Commerce, Visit Yuma, and the offices of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.
Located across the street from the Yuma County Courthouse, the Masonic Temple is a historic building occupied by the local chapter of freemasons, Lodge #17. Built in 1931, it is notable for its Modernistic/Art Deco architecture and as such remains an important landmark in Yuma. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the building features large piers on the four corners and fluted pilasters (architectural elements that look like columns). The lodge continues to occupy the building today.
Built in 1928, the Yuma County Courthouse is a striking example of Second Renaissance Revival architecture. It is also significant as having served as the seat of county government since its construction. While other county government buildings have been erected, the courthouse, which houses the Arizona Superior Court in Yuma County, remains an important landmark in the city.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, now called the Christian Science Reading Room, is a historic church built in 1905. It is an excellent example of Mission Revival architecture featuring a two-story bell tower with mission-style roof, arched doorways, curvilinear front wall hiding a pitched roof, and a Gothic window. The old church has remained an important landmark in Yuma and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Operated by the Arizona Historical Society, the Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens is a historic home in downtown Yuma. Built in the 1870s, it is named after local businessman E.F. Sanguinetti, who lived here with his family beginning in 1890. Sanguinetti built a large business empire, earning the nickname "Merchant Prince of Yuma" for his success. The museum features exhibits about his life and legacy and Yuma's history, and offers guided tours, and various educational programs. The site also features additional buildings and aviaries.
The historic United State Post Office building is one of Yuma's more impressive landmarks. It was constructed in 1934 and is now home to an agricultural company. It was designed in the Beaux-Arts and Spanish Colonial Revival styles, which were a popular choice for federal buildings in the early 20th century. Interesting features include an exterior covered in native stone, a raised entry platform and arched gallery with six columns topped with Corinthian capitals, decorative stonework, wrought iron grilles and balcony railings, and a Spanish tile roof. The building is also significant as a symbol of the federal government's presence in Yuma. It was, in fact, the first federally constructed post office in the city. For these reasons it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
The former Hotel San Carlos building is historically significant as a one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in Yuma. It features a set of three pilasters (columns) above the main entrance, a parapet with decorative geometric forms and light poles topped by finials, recessed windows surrounded by horizontal bands, and geometric designs between the pilasters. The building today is an affordable residential facility. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park preserves the site of a prison established here on July 1, 1876. It features ruins of prison buildings including cell blocks, the prison cemetery, a museum, visitor center, cactus garden, interpretive panels, and a nature trail. The park is part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which preserves this and other nearby sites associated with what was an important crossing point during the 19th century (the Yuma Crossing is a National Historic Landmark and appears to have been located roughly where the interstate bridge crosses the river). The prison operated for just over three decades and housed more than 3,000 prisoners, including 29 Mormon women (they were imprisoned for practicing polygamy; Mormon men were as well for the same offence) and a well-known stagecoach robber named Pearl Hart. The park was established in 1961. The museum features original prison artifacts and exhibits about the prison's history, inmates and staff.
The Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge is one of Yuma's best-known landmarks and historically significant in a few ways. It was constructed in 1915, becoming the first vehicular bridge to cross the lower Colorado River and the only one within 1,200 miles. The bridge is also notable for its truss construction; at the time it was the longest bridge of its kind in the state. More broadly, the bridge served as a vital link between Southern California and the rest of the country, enabling people to drive from coast to coast. This is why it was given the name Ocean-to-Ocean (in 1915, drivers from San Francisco had to go all the way south to Yuma in order reach the east coast). Today, the bridge is open to cars and pedestrians.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This tour of historic Yuma begins and ends at the city's two state historical parks and includes landmarks such as Hotel San Carlos and the Sanguinetti House Museum which is operated by the Arizona Historical Society.
