EXCITING NEW THINGS IN STORE FOR THE YUMA CROSSING NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
July 20, 2020
Yuma, Arizona – Earlier this year, the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) received the official approval of the Master Plan (Plan) for the future development of the Yuma Territorial Prison (YTP) and Colorado River state historic parks by Arizona State Parks & Trails. This exciting plan includes new interactive exhibits utilizing some of the latest in audio and visual technology, in addition to much needed restoration and preservation of the historic buildings gracing these two Yuma gems that will be key pieces of the future development of an historic “Mega Park” concept in the YCNHA footprint.
Nationwide, there’s a movement underway to broadly honor, celebrate and recognize Juneteenth. National Heritage Areas are committed to telling the stories of all people, especially those that historically have been left out of conversation. The Alliance of National Heritage Areas, of which the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area (YCNHA) is a member, is firmly committed to achieving a national culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Juneteenth is “the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.”
We celebrate our nation’s diverse heritage.
We create experiences that stimulate cultural equity.
We empower inclusive communities to tell their stories.
The Alliance of National Heritage Areas is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our membership organization of Congressionally-designated National Heritage Areas and partner-affiliated organizations works collectively to protect and promote diverse people and places that tell America’s stories equitably and inclusively.
Yuma’s state parks welcome back visitors this week
Mara Knaub Sun Staff Writer 8 hrs ago
Yuma’s two state parks are welcoming back visitors this week, with the Yuma Territorial Prison reopening today (Monday, June 15) and the Colorado River State Historic Park on Tuesday.
“We would like to take this time to say thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding during these trying times as decisions did not come easy to close the parks in March,” the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, which oversees the parks, stated in an announcement.
YCNHA said that it continues to monitor Yuma’s COVID-19 numbers, which will allow the organization to determine the safest decision for employees and guests.
The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area is happy to announce the opening of Yuma’s two beloved state parks, the Yuma Territorial Prison on June 15th and the Colorado River State Historic Park on June 16th.
We would like to take this time to say thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding during these trying times as decisions did not come easy to close the parks in March. We are continuing to monitor Yuma’s current COVID-19 numbers, which will allow us to determine the safest decision for our employees and guests.
Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area was gearing up to reopen the Colorado River State Historic Park and Yuma Territorial Prison today, but due to the daily high numbers of COVID-19 positive cases, it has delayed the reopenings.
On Friday, the organization announced that it had “made the difficult decision to postpone the reopenings of the parks for at least another week, or until more data can be reviewed to determine when a more prudent and firm date can be announced.”
“With the numbers rising in Yuma County, we want to continue to keep our employees and guests safe,” spokeswoman Sarah Halligan said.
In the first month of a fundraising campaign, Yumans have shown that they are invested in their local landmarks.
Last month, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area kicked off its Giving Tuesday campaign “Be Yuma’s Future by Investing in its Past” with the goal of raising money to restore iconic Yuma landmarks, including the historic Territorial Prison, Colorado River State Historic Park and the East Wetlands.
The goal for the first month was $20,000 with a “long game” target of $100,000. Thanks to donors, the campaign surpassed the first goal and reached the $23,000 mark.
On the brink of turning 100 years old, Yuma’s old City Hall is in dire need of repairs. As a reminder of the upcoming milestone, the year “1920” is stamped above the ornate entryway.
Today the building, located at 181 W. 1st St., houses a number of nonprofit groups, including the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, Visit Yuma, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce, Caballeros de Yuma and United Way.
However, along with celebrating a century of history, the Heritage Area wants to start giving it some tender loving care in the way of repairs.
BY MARA KNAUB @YSMARAKNAUB
The legend says that many years ago a little girl in a red dress trying to retrieve her doll from the Colorado River drowned. She now haunts the Yuma Territorial Historic Prison, and if she doesn’t like a visitor or if a person is wearing red, the little girl will pinch the visitor.
Stories like this one have long given the state historic park a reputation as one of the most “haunted” places in the United States. Now it’s official: USA Today readers have voted the historic prison as the “Best Haunted Destination” in the nation.
The Yuma prison faced stiff competition, going up against destinations with sinister-sounding names such as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, West Virginia, the Villisca Axe Murder House in Villisca, Iowa, and the Queen Mary, which is docked in Long Beach, California, and has an established reputation as being haunted.
By John Marinelli, Sun staff writer Aug 7, 2019
One of Yuma’s most cherished and historic landmarks is being recognized for an eerie reason.
Yuma Territorial Prison Complex has been nominated among the 20 best “haunted” destinations by USA Today’s travel site 10Best as part of their reader’s choice awards, and over the next 19 days, people can vote to determine its place among the creepiest locales in the country.
The webpage where votes are cast describes the prison as a “hub of paranormal activity,” and describes some of the ghost stories associated with the location.
To cast a vote cementing Yuma Territorial Prison’s reputation as one of the spookiest destinations in the country, visit bit.ly/2YQAuDP
Click here for the full article: https://www.yumasun.com/news/paranormal-prison-yuma-facility-noted-as-haunted/article_60358528-b8b9-11e9-a80b-57947e931482.html
