City:
Yuma

Closest major city:
Yuma

State:
Arizona

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Time needed for trip:
Half day

Description:
Congress authorized the Quartermaster Depot in 1865, to serve the entire SW United States as a material transfer station, and a distribution point for troops stationed at outposts of Arizona, before statehood.

The park features the original Depot, an early adobe home, stagecoaches, mule wagons, a steam train, an adobe corral, and a Visitor Center.

Other comment or suggestions:
One spring several years ago, my stepmom treated me and my rowdy kids to a steam train ride. I remember the train ride as being Very pleasant, and primarily run by faithful volunteers. (I don't think Yuma's grown enough to offer more than one steam train service, but I could be very wrong ;-) Anyway...the train actually went quite a distance! I remember the guide pointing out the home of a prominent dentist in Algodones, Mexico. The name Algodones means "cotton"; it's a town that pretty much owes its present prosperity to people seeking discounts in doctors, dentistry, prescriptions, eyeglasses, liquor... Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware).

As the desert becomes more populated, casinos spring up in the desert like wildflowers after a rain, and RV's rule the roads, I do find it encouraging that people are stepping up to the task of preserving history and landmarks for the education and enjoyment of future generations. Without their dedication, it would all blow away with the wind.

Yuma's still got a lot to offer, compared to the Big Cities (Tucson, Phoenix). Whatever you're looking for in a winter home/vacation, if you can't find it in Yuma, you probably don't Really need it anyway! ;-)

Contact information for this day-trip site:
(520)329-0471
www.visityuma.com