Colorado River State Historic Park is the site of an old Army supply depot that operated between 1864 and 1883. The purpose of the depot was to store six months' worth of supplies for all the forts in Arizona Territory and several forts outside of the territory. After abandonment by the military, various federal government agencies moved into the buildings. These agencies included the Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Customs Service, and the U.S. Weather Service. Five of the original depot buildings remain on the park grounds, and four of these buildings contain exhibits. Exhibits cover both the military history of the site and the history of the Bureau of Reclamation's construction of major irrigation works in the Yuma area during the early 1900s.

Colorado River State Historic Park

An introductionary exhibit is located in the Visitor Center along with photographs. Outside buildings and features include original cellblocks, water tank, guard tower, sally port (entrance gate), library room, the dark cell, caliche hill, new yard and cells. Interpretive panels are situated throughout the historic site.

The 3,600 sq. ft. museum houses a video presentation, original prison artifacts with exhibits interpreting prison history, prison staff and convicts. A large mural painting of Arizona Native Americans and scenery by a WWII Italian POW graces one of the walls.

State Parks Tagged With: Yuma