Sierra Vista Historical Plauques part 1

Here are the photos for the Historical Plaques in Sierra Vista, I know, not ghost towns, but some of these have been around for a while.  The reason it is part one is twofold, first I did not find all of the plaques, second, I want to go back and take photos of the handful of original buildings, the boys were not cooperating as much as I would have liked which is why I do not have those photos yet!  Anyways, enjoy this step back in time...

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This is the chicken coop/shed, all that is left of the original Fry homestead.

Fry Cemetery

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.