Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

BEST PLACE TO TAKE TOURISTS FOR 10 YEARS

February 8, 2008 - 4:05 PM

For 10 years straight, The Sun's readers have voted Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park Yuma's Best Place to Take Tourists.

"I think it's neat," said Kimberly Kreger, park ranger. "I know we're just one of the attractions here in Yuma, but I'm not surprised (about being Yuma's Best) because we're one of the few historical areas in town.

"People are curious about the history and about the prison. That movie, '3:10 to Yuma,' has piqued interest, too, even though it was very fictional.

"I think we try our best to give people an experience when they come here and to show them what prison was like back in the early 1900s. They can go through the cells and watch a video that's like a guided tour of the prison. We have live guides, too.

"We have a Yuma-based group of Wild West re-enactors that perform two shows on Sunday. And we have a couple of big events throughout the year. One is Gathering of the Gunfighters.

"The other is Yuma Crossing Days, when Yuma celebrates its history and we try to do a little extra here to show our history.

"We thank them (the voters) very, very much for their interest and their support of Arizona State Parks."

Located at 1 Prison Hill Road, the historic park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Christmas Day. The number is 783-4771.