Yuma, Yuma County, Arizona
Ever dream of a place where abundance and good life seems to be the lifestyle, where adventure, exploration, relaxation and fun could be in one place? Impossible it may seem, but not when one is headed to a place called Yuma in Arizona. The location best fits those who seek adventure and those who want to commune with nature, learn a historical background and culture, and of course, those who love a good climate. Not just that; consider the convenience, proximity, affordability, and security of one place. This city has the lowest crime rate among all cities. Yuma has all these and even more.
Compared to other US cities and counties, Yuma boasts of a good weather even during its cold season. It has very low humidity in its hottest summer. Not much to suffer as there are air-conditioning units available.
The county have several community parks and recently added six more. One of these is a park fronting the recently made Yuma West Wetland Parks and the Colorado River. Nearing its completion is the Yuma Art Center. The reconstruction of the Historic Yuma Theater is also on its way.
Yuma is exactly where the Gila and the Colorado River converge. The place is very much suited for those who think of water activities and enjoy the sceneries along the city roads. Cultural and historical points of interests are the few activities that can be indulged with in Yuma. The Yuma Prison Site Historical Park, Picacho State Recreation Area, and the Crossing State Historical Park are worth seeing. The Yuma wild has also various recreations to offer. There are many recreation sites around the city itself.
These are just many things to explore in Yuma. Choosing would depend on how much time you have.
Yuma History
This Arizona county is as unique as its name. The Yuma Indians, its first inhabitants, built fires as a ritual. This practice was believed to bring in more rain to their land. The North American Indian word uma literally means fire. Thus, the Yuma Indians called their place Yuma. This county serves as a dedication to its first inhabitants.
The Yuma Indians came from three North American Indian tribes which are from the same roots linguistically. They are from the lower Colorado Region, such as the Cocopahs, Mohaves, and the Quenchans. They lived along the Colorado River Valley and the Gila area. As they lived in small groups, not much was heard from them until the Spanish explorers reached Yuma.
Spanish explorers were the ones who discovered the potentials of Yuma. In 1540, Hernando de Alarcon came to reach and discover the Yuma county. Thus, the leadership of Mexico and Spain reigned over the county until 1854. But with the Gladsden Purchase, it became a United States territory. The place soon became huge as a transportation city, bringing goods and passengers through steamboats traveling on the Colorado River. Being a city where the whole of Arizona, Mexico, and California meet, the famous gold seekers in California made use of Yuma extensively. A fort was even built to ensure the safe travel back and forth to California.
At first, there were many names that were given to this place. It was called the Colorado City from 1854 up until 1858. From 1858 to 1873, its name became Arizona City. Under the Territorial Legislature of 1873, the place bore the official name of Yuma.
Yuma Attractions
First in the Yuma destination list is the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park. Found in this park are remnants and marks of the country's rich military history. In particular, the park's Yuma Quartermaster depot became the supply bank and transport point of military supplies to various military posts nearby the area. The depot ended its original function when Southern Pacific Railroad started reaching Yuma in the 1800s. The depot was later used as a weather service station but operations ceased in 1949. Today, the depot is a major tourist attraction lying along the famous Colorado River. The park is open during all months of the year and entrance fee is between $4 to $11.
Yet another historic spot attracting thousands of visitors is the Yuma Territorial Prison Park. The Yuma Territorial prison had a reputation for having notorious practices. But documents proved that the prison actually became the model prison system during its years of operations. Prisoners were actually given schooling opportunities, livelihood training, health service accessibility, and religious freedom. The prison ended operations in 1909. Starting 1910 and until 1914, the Yuma Union High School made use of the prison buildings. Today, the prison stands as an iconic symbol of prison life hundred years ago. Sitting in most of Prison Hill Road, the prison park is open all throughout the year with an entrance fee of $4 to $11.
Other must-see places in Yuma are the Imperial Sand Dunes and the Canada Goose Drive. The Imperial Sand Dunes run for 40 miles and is included in the list of the biggest dunes in the whole of America. The whole stretch of the eye-catching dune is good for strolling and animal site-seeing. The Canada Goose Drive is best for people who want to experience wildlife the Arizona way.
Yuma Economy
The economy of Yuma greatly depends on agriculture. Agricultural production in Yuma is valued at least $600 million each year. Big companies relying on agricultural products, like Dole Food Company, have vast agricultural ventures in Yuma. Tourism is increasingly becoming a major economic player for Yuma. With more and more tourists visiting each year, the tourism industry is perceived to yield more revenues in the next years.
A big chunk of Yuma's annual tax revenues are coming from new businesses. Yuma is seen by many investors as a viable place for high sales and revenues. The service and retail sectors are the ones mostly emerging as new industries in Yuma. In sales and retail, the Dillard Department Store, for example, exceeded its target sales for the year. The Southgate Mall of Yuma is home to many small yet high-performing enterprises. Prototype stores and dining are also rapidly emerging as profitable ventures in Yuma.
With really serious efforts from the local government, economics reforms have attracted many manufacturing companies to transfer their businesses in Yuma. The ongoing construction of Yuma's business park and other economic reforms are believed to attract more manufacturing companies to expand or transfer operational aspects in Yuma. International trade is another sector alive in Yuma's economic atmosphere. Yuma's closeness to Mexico, the Pacific Rim, and Southern California, puts it in a strategic point benefiting from international trading. Filming and location shooting, albeit minor, is also very alive in Yuma's economic sphere. The abundant natural resources of Yuma make it an attractive venue for film directors and producers to shoot. Yuma's vast, beautiful desert makes the perfect scene for desert-based movies.
Yuma is located close to the border with California to its west and Mexico on its south and in the Gila and Yuma valleys of southwestern Arizona. The name “yuma” was derived from the native Yuman Indians, wherein they have the habit of setting fires along the river. Ironically, the name came from a Spanish word “humo” which means “smoke.”
To insure a safe route to California and to bring peace to the area, Fort Yuma was built during the gold rush. It was founded in the year 1854 with name Colorado City and then incorporated as Arizona City in 1871. It was finally reincorporated as Yuma in 1914 and now serves as the Yuma County seat.
With a population of 86,070 as of 2004, the area remains a key crossroad for air and land transportation.
