Best Place to Take Tourists

Every year since the inception of Yuma's Best, the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park has been voted Yuma's Best Place to Take Tourists by The Sun's readers.

"We really appreciate it," said Jesse Torres, park manager. "We like the fact that people like to come down to the prison."

People like to visit the prison because "we're still in contact with the Old West mystique," he said. "A prime example of the Old West is the Territorial Prison in old movies from the '40s and '50s. Tourists from Germany, Japan, Italy, the Netherlands and from all over the world ... really expect to see cowboys and Indians here, and maybe prison guards."

Perched on the south bank of the Colorado River, the guard tower looms near the sallyport, where prisoners once entered the prison and visitors now do. Just beyond that is a museum with pictures of convicts, items hand made by convicts and other memorabilia. Prison yards and cell blocks are located on the other side of the museum.

Visitors are also treated to Wild West re-enactments and other planned events throughout the year.

"We'd like to to thank those that voted us Yuma's Best and invite them to come out and enjoy a piece of their history," Torres said.

Open year-round, except Christmas Day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, the Territorial Prison is at 1 Prison Hill Road, 783-4771.