As Arizona Territory's first prison, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is rich with Old West lore and Arizona history. In the prison's 33 years of operation, a total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within the prison.
Now a museum, you can walk through open cells and see the solitary chamber while exploring exhibits about the prison's earliest inhabitants.
Despite an infamous reputation, written evidence indicates that the prison was humanely administered, and was a model institution for its time. The only punishments were the dark cells for inmates who broke prison regulations, and the ball and chain for those who tried to escape. The park offers a gift shop, a video presentation, a picnic area and restrooms.
Visit the official Yuma Territorial Prison State Park Website >>
