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

Crossing Into History

Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 6, 2022

1. Crossing Into History Marker

Inscription.
Eager to expand it's New World empire, Spain authorized a 1775-1776 expedition to settle the port of San Francisco. The expedition, lead by Juan Bautista de Anza, commander of the Royal Presidio of Tubac, traversed 1000 miles on foot, horseback, burro and mule from Sonora, Mexico to Alta California. This route made possible the transport of livestock, goods, and people to sustain the new settlements.

Along the way the expedition was faced with crossing the mighty Colorado River at present day Yuma, Arizona. Leaders from the Quechan tribe helped the Anza expedition cross the Colorado on their way to California. Using this crossing and the route Anza mapped settlers began flooding into California to establish San José and Los Angeles, and stamp California with the language and customs of their New World Hispanic culture.

"[The Quechan] invited all members of the expedition to eat, giving them in abundance… so many watermelons we estimated there must have. been more than 3,000." - Juan Bautista de Anza, November 28, 1775

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 28, 1775.

Location. 32° 43.666′ N, 114° 36.881′ W. Marker is in Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. It can be reached from Prison Hill Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yuma AZ 85364, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Colorado River Valley,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Yuma Area.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yuma East Wetlands Today (a few steps from this marker); Yuma East Wetlands (a few steps from this marker); Drinking Water Life in the Desert (within shouting distance

Photographed by Adam Margolis, February 6, 2022

2. Crossing Into History Marker

Marker can be seen on the left.

of this marker); View of the Prison from Across the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Yuma East Wetlands (within shouting distance of this marker); The All-important Colorado River Crossing (within shouting distance of this marker); "Indian Hill" (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.

Also see . . . Anza Historic Trail. Website featured in a QR code on the marker. (Submitted on November 24, 2024.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. This page has been viewed 1,561 times since then and 45 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 24, 2024. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 10, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.