Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

"Indian Hill"

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

1. "Indian Hill" Marker

Inscription. Across the Colorado River is "Indian Hill," the site of La Purisima Concepcion mission. Built in 1780 by Spanish explorers, it was destroyed in 1781 when native Quechans revolted, killing all European males. Nothing is left of that structure. Today you see the St. Thomas Mission, built in 1922, which serves the Quechan Indian Nation.

Behind the mission is Fort Yuma. It was established in 1852 to protect settlers, border survey crews, and gold miners (49'ers) on their way to "boom or bust" in California gold fields.

Erected by Arizona State Parks.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Colonial Era • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.

Location. 32° 43.681′ N, 114° 36.898′ W. Marker is in Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. Marker can be reached from Prison Hill Road, half a mile north of Harold C. Giss Parkway. Marker is located in Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, overlooking the Colorado River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 Prison Hill Road, Yuma AZ 85364, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The All-important Colorado River Crossing (here, next to this marker); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

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(here, next to this marker); View of the Prison from Across the River (here, next to this marker); Site of Old Ferry Landing (a few steps from this marker); "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Crossing Into History (within shouting distance of this marker); Ocean-to-Ocean Highway Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Yuma East Wetlands Today (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.

Also see . . .
1. Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción (Wikipedia). The Mission site and nearby pueblo were inadequately supported, and Spanish colonists seized the best lands, destroyed the Indians' crops, and generally ignored the rights of the local natives. In retaliation the Quechan (Yuma) Indians and their allies attacked and destroyed the installation and the neighboring Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer over a three-day period, from July 17–19, 1781. (Submitted on October 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Fort Yuma (Wikipedia). Fort Yuma was a fort in California located in Imperial

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

2. "Indian Hill" Marker

(St. Thomas Mission in background)

County, across the Colorado River from Yuma, Arizona. It was on the Butterfield Overland Mail route from 1858 until 1861 and was abandoned May 16, 1883, and transferred to the Department of the Interior. The Fort Yuma Indian School and the Saint Thomas Yuma Indian Mission now occupy the site. (Submitted on October 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

St. Thomas Mission image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 14, 2014

3. St. Thomas Mission

(looking north the across Colorado River from marker)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 412 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 21, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.