Yuma Territorial Prison

So the Yuma Territorial Prison is a State Park in Yuma Arizona, It is a prison that was literally built by the prisoners who were housed there. 

These are the dunes that are in and around Yuma.

This is the guard tower and water tower of the prison.

The Prison was built on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River.

This Mission is right across the river from the prison.

This is the original entrance to the prison.

The back of the prison.

This building is not original to the site, though it does have a long history, it sits on site of the mess hall among other things and now houses the museum.

This is a model of the prison grounds, sadly most of these buildings are no longer there.

Entering the cell block

Through the cells out the other side.

The metal bunks that were built to replace the old wooden ones because of a bed bug infestation.

A closer look at the metal doors.

The back gate out of the cell block.

The prison annex built to try and help the overcrowded that would eventually cause the prison to close.

Wooden bunks in this cell...

The dark cell, also known as solitary confinement.

An old barber chair.

The front of the cell block.

Foundations of the five cells that were used to house the trouble makers...

Part of the outer wall.

The prison operated from 1876 and closed 33 years later.  The buildings were then used by the local high school, as a hospital, a VFW, and by homeless families and squatters during the Great Depression. 

The railroads demolished part of the prison to expand their tracks a build a new bridge, however it is to be noted that the citizens have Yuma fought for preservation of the prison for many years, finally achieving it for certain when it became a state park in 1961, and that they again stepped up to the plate when the state was looking at closing it down in 2010 due to budget issues. 

Other Blogs

Just thought I would stop in and share a blog that I found about abandoned places in New Jersey, it is what I had wanted for this blog, and what I hope to someday make my blog into, it has now and then photos and the history of the places, it is very very awesome, so here is the link.

rustytagliareni.blogspot.com

Cochise and Dragoon

Cochise and Dragoon AZ, the ghost towns that aren't ghosts at all.  The last time I went through Cochise was 5 years ago, and most of the building seemed to be vacant, Unfortunately I did not have a camera on me, so I have no pics,  so let me tell you I was shocked to find that the entire area was definitely lived in, buildings that were falling down on themselves, or looked like they would be soon, are fixed up and homes now, it is awesome to see something like that, I was thrilled.  Dragoon has a lot of newer homes building up on the outskirts of town, and what is left of the original buildings in town are being revamped and used for other things, homes, galleries and studios.  The only vacant building in town looks like it is in the process of being revamped for future use as well.  There are supposedly graves of four confederate soldiers around Dragoon, though I have looked for them and yet to find them.  I am hoping that eventually I will run across them, it seems that they got separated from the rest of their unit and took cover in an old Butterfield Stage stop, then during the night they were attacked by Apaches and killed.  I read about them in the paper years ago and have looked for them a few times a year ever since, if anyone can point me towards them I would greatly appreciate it.  I hope you enjoy the pics as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Cochise 

Here is the Church, at least it was once a church in Cochise.

I really like this house, I think it was my favorite find of the day.

The Post Office

This sign is awesome

The hotel is for sale in case anyone wants to move in.

The front of the Post Office

This was the only obviously not lived in house in town.

Sadly there was alot of these piles around the collapsed house.

This is the side of the oldest school building.  The school is in use and has quite a few modern buildings around as well.

The front of the school.

Dragoon

Welcome to Dragoon!

This was just an awesome place, I wish it had been open to walk around in

The Dragoon Women's Club, check out the sign, it is spiffy if you can read it.

Misc updates

Ok, so this post is really more about revisiting places we have already been, either with things I have forgotton, or with new information I have uncovered, new photos etc...

So this was a huge oversight on my part, though since it was meant as a teaser post till hold you over until I find the rolls and rolls of film I have shot in Bisbee, anyways, this is the Lavender Pit in Bisbee AZ, it is massive and hard to miss if you venture out of Old Bisbee on your travels, which you of course should because Warren and what is left of Lowell is so worth a visit or two.

This is one of the largest and oldest trees in the state, it is at the San Pedro House between Bisbee and Sierra Vista, while I have not done a post on this house, anyone who has an interest in biographies would do well to read "The Five Fosters" by Betty Foster Escapule, it is an interesting read about her life growing up some in the before mentioned house, as well as other places.  It was really enjoyable...

Earlier this year I did a post on the Paul Spur Mansion, I went back a few months later to show my husband, and this is what we found, cows, cows, and more cows, very frustrating.  I have yet to find anything about a cemetery in the area, and would be thrilled to learn more about that if anyone would care to share in the comments...

This photo was taken on the far side of the highway from Fairbanks, When you walk around the steamworks building, this is on the side of it, I have to say I was ashamed of the fact that I had forgotten it was there, there is also a old set of cow pens with a shed and loading area, it is being restored, there is much more in this area, between Fairbanks and Charleston, I am hoping to get out there some this winter on a few of our nicer days.  

This is more to let everyone know that I have not forgotten about the blog, life is just busy at the moment, especially with the holidays coming up and I have had to spend more time at home and less wondering throughout the local areas, hopefully after Christmas I will have more time.

If there is anywhere that someone would like to hear about please comment so I can start looking into it, and also please remember that this page is a work in progress, I suspect it will take many years before it begins to look complete in any way, and also that it is a labor of love, while I would love to be able to visit and post about a new place every week, that is just not something that is possible for me.  Until next time then I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!!!

Bisbee AZ Teaser

Ok, Bisbee is so not a ghost town, however it does have its own special feel to it, as well as lots of abandoned buildings, this is just a taste of what is there, after spending 3 hours there this afternoon, it would take a lifetime to get Bisbee properly photographed, but it will pop up at odd times here as I make visits there overtime, and as I scan the pictures that I have already taken...

These are the archways on the Library/Post Office

The Bank, with 'B' Mountain in the background

The view down Main Street from the 2nd floor of the library

One of three rather creepy angels

A shot thru the window of the Warner Hotel

Another shot, I wish I could have gotten into here

Balcony of the Warner Hotel

Down the stairs, there is really not anywhere in Bisbee you can go that does not have stairs.

View back up the same stairs

The Warner Hotel