The Yuma Criminals

There is a new sheriff in town manning the Yuma Teritarial Prision... Don't mess with Hitman Hearn or he will drop a snake into your prison cell.

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One of the places we visited while in Yuma was the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. The park was restored and there are a lot of preserved cells and buildings despite the destruction that plagued this facility during the great depression. Most of the outside walls and all the items of value were taken when the prison closed due to overcrowding in 1909. It was in operation for 33 years and housed hundreds of men and women who committed crimes from adultery to murder. Yep, people actually went to prison for committing adultery. From the date of closure, the prison's facilities have been occupied and used by various groups. After Yuma High School burned, the High School Board rented four structures and used them from 1910 until 1914. The school athletic teams became known as "The Criminals." The Yuma high school teams are to this day still called the Yuma Criminals. Check out the slideshow below by clicking on the Greetings from Yuma picture.

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