Yuma County, Arizona History
This county is formed out of the southwestern portion of the Territory,
and is bounded on the west by the Colorado river. The valley of the
Colorado is from two to ten miles in width; the soil is rich alluvial, and
is generally covered with a dense growth of vegetation, and is well wooded
with Mesquite and Cottonwood trees. Very little attempt has been made to
cultivate these lands, except by the Indians. They in a rude way produce
some vegetables, corn and wheat.
The soil and climate are undoubtedly well adapted to the production of
cotton, rice and sugar cane, as well as the cereals, and nearly all kinds
of vegetables. Experiments made in planting figs, lemons and oranges
encourage the belief that these fruits can be raised in abundance.
The only obstacle in the way of extensive and profitable agriculture in
the valley of this river is the frequent changes of its channel. Its
waters can undoubtedly be controlled by levees and canals, and it would be
policy for the government to make liberal grants of land to accomplish
this object. The water once under control, and this would be an inviting
field for investment and enterprise.
The Gila river runs about 150 miles in a westerly course through this
county; its valley is from one to three miles in width; the soil is rich
and covered with vegetation, and by irrigation will produce almost
anything that grows; it is uninhabited, except by station keepers along
the overland mail road. These stations are usually located about fifteen
miles apart.
The balance of this county is mostly high table lands, with frequent
broken mountains, and is generally destitute of water; portions of the
year these lauds are covered with excellent grass, but until water is
increased by sinking wells, the larger portion of this belt of country
will be of little value.
MINES - Gold, silver, copper and lead, are found in lodes near the
Colorado river, the entire length of the county; also placer gold in
considerable sums has been extracted. No effort has been made to conduct
water to these mines; the gold has generally been obtained by what is
called the dry washing process. To pay by this process, the mines must
necessarily be very rich, but if water could be obtained, they 'would
undoubtedly pay well, even when once worked by the other process.
Many lodes of gold, silver, copper and lead have been located, and quite a
profitable business engaged in by shipping the ores via the Colorado river
to San Francisco. The success of these enterprises would warrant the
belief that by the erection of machinery and properly opening the mines,
they could be made very profitable to the owners. Along the southern
border of the county, extensive and rich mines of copper are found, but
owing to the high rate of transportation have not yet been made to pay.
TRADE AND COMMERCE. - Most of the goods consumed on and near the Colorado
river, and in Southern Arizona, are shipped from San Francisco in vessels
down the Pacific ocean, around Cape St. Lucas into the Gulf of California,
thence to the mouth of the Colorado river; at this point, the goods are
reshipped and placed on barges, and towed up the river by small steamers.
Until recently, the trade has been carried on with sailing. vessels from
San Francisco to the mouth of the river, but, the mercantile community
requiring more speedy delivery of goods, a steamer has been placed on the
line, and it makes a monthly trip between those points. It requires about
ten days to make the trip either way, and the charge for freight to
Arizona City is $47 per ton.
Towns - Arizona City is located at the junction of the Gila and Colorado
rivers; is the county seat of the county, and contains a population of
about 1200; one-third American and twothirds Mexican. It is the principal
military depot of supplies for the troops of Southern Arizona, and the
goods shipped to merchants in Southern Arizona are landed at this point.
It contains several large mercantile houses, one wagon and several
blacksmith shops, and a weekly newspaper called Tice Arizona Free Press.
The houses are mostly built of adobes, and it has the appearance of a
Mexican town. It is a prosperous business place, and, from its
geographical position, will undoubtedly continue to grow with the
development of the country. It contains but one church (Catholic), and
schools have only been maintained at intervals by subscription-but
preparations are being made that will undoubtedly insure a good, free
school the most of each year.
Eherenburg is located by the river 140 miles above Arizona City on the
Colorado; contains a population of about 500, and is the principal
shipping point for Central Arizona. It has been built within the past two
years, and was the rival of La Paz, located five miles above, but the
superior advantages for the delivery of goods at this landing, caused the
rapid decline of La Paz, which is now nearly depopulated. It contains
several large forwarding and commission houses, blacksmith and wagon
shops, and in addition to the trade with Central Arizona, large amounts of
goods are sold to supply the mines up the Colorado river.
CLIMATE AND HEALTH - The climate from June to October is extremely warm,
the thermometer often showing in the shade from 115 deg. to 120 deg. of
heat, but singular to say, probably- owing to the dryness of the
atmosphere, there has never been known a case of sun stroke, and it is
unusually healthy, being singularly free from malarious diseases, and
invalids inflicted with bronchial or lung disease are always benefited,
kid often cured, by a change to this climate. From October to June the
climate is mild and salubrious, and hardly excelled anywhere.
Source: Resources Of Arizona Territory. Francis & Valentine, Steam Printers And Engravers. 1871.
