The Massacre and War at the Yuma Crossing

The Yuma area was for centuries one of the only safe places to cross the Lower Colorado River. it was also home to the Quechan (Yumans), who were known as skilled and fierce warriors.
When the Spanish arrived in the late 1700s, at first the Europeans and the Quechan had good relations. Eventually however, the Quechan tired of being mistreated by the Spanish and rebeled in what came to be known as the Yuma Massacre.
The Quechan reclaimed their land and would contine to control the crossing of the river even as the land would be claimed by Spain, then Mexico, and finally the United States.
With the California gold rush in full swing, the Quechan once again rebeled due to mistreatment, this time at the hands of a rival ferry operator. This led to what would become known as the Yuma War.
In this video we travel to a few sites around the Yuma Crossing area, in California and Arizona, and take a look at the history and how the Quechan held off the armies of three countries for 70 years.
Videos on the Yuma territorial Prison:
Cactus Atlas - • The Hell Hole of Yuma ...
Pin in the Atlas - • Behind Bars in Yuma St...
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[@LateNiteGrafix]

Without doubt, the bird is an Osprey Pandion haliaetus ORDER: Accipitriformes FAMILY: Pandionidae

[@williamhinshaw6838]

What he said.....

[@TheStuport]

Appreciate the info! Salute 👍

[@bajadogs]

They have made quite a comeback since the 70's after hunting, egg collecting and DDT dwindled their numbers.

[@thekenneth3486]

Agreed. It looks like an osprey, in spite of the backlighting.

[@periwinkle-dragonfly]

That was a Caracara bird.

[@grizmountainfamily7333]

It was a pleasure meeting you in the gift shop this day! Thanks so much for all you put into these videos, you rock!

[@TheStuport]

Bet it was a big treat to see Steve and Family in person! Quite sure he is as personable in real time as he is in reel time! Just HAD to do a Steve Joke there! 😄

[@SidetrackAdventures]

It was great meeting you too. I'm always shocked if someone recognizes me. I hope you had a great trip.

[@johnwhitley2898]

LOL 😆!!!!!! So you're saying that.... "Real Steve and Family in Real time" is just as exciting as "Reel Steve and Family in Reel time"! This stuff just writes itself!!! Baddabing Baddaboom! Thanks everyone, I'm playing ALL week, and please don't forget to tip your waiters and waitresses!!! Yeah, yeah I know... There's a "Special Treatment Hotel" for people like me on the North-West corner of 24th Street and Van Buren Ave in Phoenix,AZ !!😆😆😆!!

[@TheStuport]

@@johnwhitley2898 😂

[@LadyCriminal0013]

I am a Yuman, raised here. Half Quechan and half Hispanic. Thank you for a great video. Yuma gets lots of winter videos from Nov-Mar and it's great. The summer weather gets as high as 117-120 degrees at times. I appreciate you going over some of the Quechan history.

[@L.Spencer]

I was getting curious, how is Quechan pronounced?

[@danielescalante3597]

Kwatsaan

[@L.Spencer]

@@danielescalante3597 Thank you , I would have said keh chan

[@LadyCriminal0013]

@@danielescalante3597 yuuuuuup exactly.

[@JH_75]

I left work early today for mental health purposes and poured myself a glass of bourbon, sat in a comfy chair and what do I find? Another new Sidetrack Adventures video. What a great way to relax. Steve, your pace as of late is impressive. Great video, keep up the good work. Thanks.

[@StevenP727]

Cool story

[@johnwhitley2898]

ANY chance someone gets to leave work early for mental health rejuvenation with approved alcoholic based medicinal supplements and Steve with an excellent adventure, is a good mental health self care time!

[@user-qf1it8jc9y]

Steve, while visiting the fish pond on old route 66 east of Oatman last week, we had the opportunity of introducing your channel to a nice family from San Diego who didn't know about your channel. You now have more good folks to follow along with you on your adventures. By the way, that road is truly something else indeed! Thank you so much for showing us a new place to explore!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. Funny running into some fellow San Diegans out there.

[@bglrj]

In 1972 I hitchhiked through Yuma and Winter Haven and was asked by the medicine man of the tribe to purchase a hamburger for him because they wouldn't serve Native Americans at the stand that was on the reservation. I spent the night on the reservation and learned how they were treated. This was their land. They gave me the money for their burgers when they approached me in the parking lot of the drive-in. This was no hustle.

[@DemocratsRDemons]

I think you just got hustled for a free burger.

[@JohnSmith-de2mz]

Yep hustled, I worked on the Mojave Indian Res in the 70's as a carpenter building houses. I liked the Mojaves, the crew were invited to a couple parties on the res too. They were hustlers too.

[@DemocratsRDemons]

@@JohnSmith-de2mz Yeah, no restaurant on the rez is refusing service to members, especially 4 years after the civil rights act. Libs are gullible and want to believe the worst about their fellow American...

[@IrishMike22]

You 100% got hustled mate 🤣 *this is their land

[@Ashphinchtersayswhat]

Wasi’chu

[@jetsons101]

"Were going to make a BEE line back to the Colorado River." Priceless...... What a enjoyable channel, between the information, narration and humor its top-notch.

[@HighfalutinLowCarb]

Just wanted to let you know how much I love your channel. I’m a new-ish resident to San Diego and the west coast in general. Watching your adventures has led me to taking my own to many of the places you’ve featured - Salton Sea, Anza Borrego, some of the “lost” highways, and others. Keep up the awesome work. Love watching you explore, and really enjoy the history and storytelling you include in your visits to these weird and beautiful places!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you. I really appreciate it. There are lots of great places to check out in the area.

[@toughbutsweet1]

I recently read "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy, and in it he details many events surrounding John Glanton and the Quechan people. The entire history of the incident involving the fairy is included. Great video and narration. Cheers.

[@PinInTheAtlas]

Thank you for recommending our Yuma prison video Steve. Much appreciated.

[@OldLugnutz]

Gotta' say, my wife and I can't get to the southwest to vacation much these years, and we enjoy traveling via watching your videos. Thanks Steve, and keep up the good work.

[@thesarge4457]

As many times I've pass thru Yuma, I always wanted to explore the area, My Step-daughter is moving there in May 2024 with her Marine Corps husband, maybe that's when I can visit and go around town, providing it's not to hot at that time, really liked this video, Thank You Sir. THE SARGE

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That's about the time it starts getting really hot, but the prison has some indoor areas and isn't too big so still worth checking out.

[@milt6208]

I grew up in Havasu and May it starts to get hot. June very hot. But I always made it a point to start swimming in the middle of April. Just learn about all the critters that wander at night. Very important.

[@larrypaul8688]

You have saved me countless hours spent driving around looking at old stuff. Keep it up.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Haha No problem!

[@TB-ModelRR]

Great video. After looking up the species, I believe it's an osprey. They migrate from coasts to warmer climates during colder seasons, from what I briefly read.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That seems to be the consensus.

[@valeriethompson3539]

I lived in Wellton about 45 East of Yuma we went to Yuma once a month to do all our groceries shopping!! I try to go to Yuma as much as I can!! I love Yuma!! Thank you for the walk down memory lane!!

[@TheLawrence1922]

Thanks!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you so much. You are too kind.

[@chipsatterly4902]

Thank you for the well narrated travelogue!!

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mannyfig1408]

Born and raised in Yuma/Somerton Az. Last year retired as a Judge after 38 years. Love my little cities of Yuma and Somerton. Love your videos. Now, how about King City, Soledad, and Greenfield California....❤

[@robertfansler7800]

At the 11:38 mark in the video, is a picture of a newspaper from June 26, 1850. In it I see the name Col. Agostan Haraszthy mentioned. Agostan Haraszthy was a Hungarian nobleman, and founder of the California wine industry. His historic winery, Buena Vista is still in operation today in Sonoma, California. He was also the first Hungarian to settle in the U.S., among other pioneering events in California.

[@biscuitboy3617]

I really admire the fact that you provide the history along with the visual adventures! I always did quite well in history classes way back in school, but it was mostly national history like the founding of the nation, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, Industrial Revolution, etc, etc. But you bring a lot of lesser known local and regional accounts of history to life, and I for one, greatly appriciate it!

[@Junk65]

I’ve driven,eaten at,rested,but never have checked out Yuma. Always in a hurry to get from Arizona to California. Next time I’ll stop and visit.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I think Yuma is pretty underrated 3 seasons out of the year. Summer, I'm staying away haha

[@AlyxGlide]

I wouldn't bother lol it's a dust bowl

[@bloodyfinger5]

in 1980 I was in the military in Yuma , used to ride my dirt bike along the river from the prison . The prison looked run down back then and there was a huge hobo camp upstream from the parking area . My daughter lives in Yuma now . BTW bird appears to be an Osprey

[@SidetrackAdventures]

They've really cleaned up the river area.

[@bloodyfinger5]

@@SidetrackAdventures From your video it appears almost unrecognizable compared to how I remember it . I'm in central N.Y. now so rarely get out there .

[@kozzackkelt]

When I was a kid in the early 1960's, we lived in Yuma. There was a gatling gun in the guard tower. No idea whatever happened to that cool old gun. Initial good relations between the Spanish and Quechan was started by Padre Kino, who, iirc, made at least one visit to the "Yuma" Crossing. The Spanish leader at Yuma at time of the Massacre was Fernando Rivera y Moncada, who'd been the military governor of Alto California. He was killed in the uprising. Glad you mentioned Glanton. He and his gang came to the Yuma Crossing after getting run out of Mexico. The Glanton Gang had been hired to kill Apaches and turn in their scalps for a bounty. Glanton and his mostly Texan gang "discovered" there wasn't much difference between Apache and "Mexican" scalps, and were slaughtering Mexican civilians and turning in their scalps for the bounty. They hightailed it outta Mexico after their nefarious activities were discovered. The remains of Fort "Pacheco" were there for quite awhile, until being bulldozed into New River channel in the 1960's. BTW, Lt. Pacheco was killed at First Battle of Cahuenga Pass in 1831. His son, also named Romualdo Pacheco, became a governor of California. THANK YOU for another very interesting video!

[@Twinkus]

Your videos are so relaxing. Love the gentle background music, plus you have a perfect voice for narration. ☺️

[@PaulinAsia_]

I believe the bird is a Crested Caracara. I had never heard of the Quechan until this video. Thank You.

[@EricT3769]

Yeah, definitely looks more like an Osprey if you zoom in on it.

[@jeffsmith-ze6wb]

Your videos are all AWESOME I could watch em all day!!! THANKS for all you create for us!!!

[@alanhelton]

The bird you’re seeing is an Osprey

[@alanhelton]

A bird of prey that specializes in hunting fish.

[@TB-ModelRR]

​@@alanheltonand migrates to warmer regions during colder seasons.

[@thegarz1963]

Once again a great video spotlighting our local history in Imperial Valley. Thanks Steve. My wife and I look forward to your videos every Wednesday.

[@1984xlx]

Another very fascinating look at the abandoned sites in the southwest. Thanks Steve, for all your hard work and research!

[@Robert-ce5wp]

Steve, thanks for your videos. It’s so relaxing sitting down eating lunch and watching your adventures.

[@RWX348]

Simply outstanding! Your videos are so informative and paced beautifully. Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@markhopkins1904]

Thanks Steve! Complements on another great video! Keep em comming...

[@brettengledow7522]

Another great vid Steve. Really enjoy all your videos from over the pond here in the UK, the history and landscapes fascinate me.

[@rphnick]

Another fascinating video! I love these weekly treks off the beaten path... a perfect combo of cinematography and laid back narration.

[@garthbutton699]

Hey Steve,thanks for taking us along for the ride I really enjoy your videos🤗😎🤗😎

[@KevinhPPG]

Osprey I belive.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

That seems to be the consensus.

[@Lucedelsole269]

I really appreciate & enjoy the details you put in your videos!

[@leonajameson8902]

Another great video. Love your channel and all the history!

[@Porsche996driver]

Good stuff Steve. This forgotten history that paved the way literally for us in SoCal. Good weekend brother! ✨

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Steve Another great video!📺

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@paulsmodels]

Thanks Steve for the great tour! It's pretty shameful how we treated the native Americans.

[@mercedithcompala8148]

Very interesting, thanks for taking us along.

[@michaelsimonds2632]

Excellent video! Thank you, Professor Adventures! Another superb presentation and close-up look at local history. I am looking forward to a book -- either in print or as a digital book including video clips of the areas you cover.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Maybe someday. I'd like to do something on Highway 80 at the least.

[@Az_VanGo]

Another great video. I just love your perspective on places….

[@user-tn5xq6fe7x]

Interesting as usual Steve!

[@henrydunbar397]

A few years ago the wife and I traveled to Yuma and visited Camp Laguna where a relative trained in WW2. I may have to return and see all the other history I missed and you highlighted so well in your video. Keep up the excellent work.

[@classic.cameras]

Always a joy to see your videos Steve. I love seeing these places I will never see but have wondered what they are like. Might just watch 3:10 to Yuma tonight. 😀

[@jbcope1000]

Wow, great video! I need to explore Yuma next time we drive through

[@NYSteve]

another good tour, thanks!

[@user-ew4qn1um2l]

We are Yuma residents for 20+ years. Great job on the video, Steve! Beautiful photography of the area around Prison Hill and Ft.Yuma.

[@bobhappel4168]

Thanks for posting Steve. I live in Yuma and didn't know some of this!

[@danhoffman9392]

Steve, your production is great

[@drmichaelshea]

Thank you for the tour of historic parts of Yuma, AZ. Every day here is a reminder of the harshness of life in the 19th century desert Southwest, but I am grateful to share the heritage of this place and grateful to you for this video.

[@milt6208]

Steve thank you as always.

[@theoryofthemobius]

7:28 That's an Osprey.

[@joewenzel5142]

Very cool. The bird caught me off guard, I'm so used to seeing the Marine Corps Osprey aircraft fly over my house. Odd they'd name it after that bird.

[@stevehutson8047]

Really enjoy your videos, I'm on the road most of the day and listening to your videos is a great way to pass the time. You have a very calm, peaceful speaking voice

[@CameronMcCreary]

Thank you Steve for this presentation. Great research. I have lived here all my life and still don't know a whole lot of the history.

[@milt6208]

I bet you know where to go swimming.

[@thefred8481]

Thanks again Professor for another informative and enjoyable side trip…

[@wwk68tig]

Hiya Steve.......came across your channel a few months ago, and continue to be impressed with how you present so much of the under-publicized history of the American West..........really enjoy your postings. Thanks for sharing.

[@louispaparella5766]

me too also

[@SharonMiller-po6rp]

Really enjoyed this. Had family in Yuma and spent time there as a child. Always loved it despite the heat. Thanks Steve.

[@johnwhitley2898]

Rock ON! Steve! That's a great tour! I've been to the Territorial Prison and its enlightening to see it and fully understand the "why" it was so famous for the worst of the worst. It gets warm 🥵 there even in this time of the year.... Yuma AZ was still listed as a "Navigable Port" until the 1970's on Ocean charts of the Sea of Cortez, even though most All the fishing boat Captains knew it wasn't for years.... Its hard to believe there was paddle wheel boats carrying people and cargo up the Colorado River. This was the only way to bring volumes of food and supplies in and out of the areas miles north of Yuma. There were almost inaccessible areas along the river, before serious roads and the railways. Excellent farm land on both sides of the Colorado! Thanks again Steve for your sharing this adventure with us!!

[@justnerdystuff]

The bird looks like a Californian Condor, also I love it when you show antique-style maps. Really cool!

[@johna1160]

Please check out actual image of a California Condor. This bird doesn't look anything like one, and it is considerably smaller than a Condor. I'm not 100% certain, but I believe this is an Osprey.

[@boossersgarage3239]

@@johna1160 not even an osprey. juvenile condor....

[@Mike_Greentea]

It’s a blue jay

[@jeffarcher400]

There's only a few birds of that size. It's head looks like a Condor with the neck bend. It could be a juvenile golden eagle,sea hawk or a turkey vulture.

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

Not a condor. They are seriously large.

[@mycatclaire9666]

Just found your channel and love it! My grandmother lived in Yuma a million years ago and I've been to the jail... I remember is being so very depressing and thinking how horrible it must have been in the summer. Your'e so lucky!!! You saw an osprey!

[@pamhernandez397]

Thank you so much for your channel. I look forward to seeing where you go next. Can't wait to get financially stable so I can donate ❤

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thanks. I appreciate all the support.

[@dezertraider]

FANTASTIC,THANK YOU STEVE..

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@RichadTheLionHeat]

Great informative educational and very interesting video. We truly enjoyed your film. Greatly appreciate your time, effort, expenses. Blessings to you.

[@jeffhintz]

I LOVE your videos!

[@sjs1965442]

Interesting History lesson. Thanks for sharing!

[@blackrhino3442]

Been there. Love your videos.

[@billbeyatte]

Interesting history lesson. Thanks.

[@4wdboss230]

Loved the video Steve. I drive over the Ocean to Ocean bridge, by Fort Yuma, regularly. And past that historical marker in the middle of nowhere (by the Osprey). We used to watch the Blue Angels at that Fort in CA (no bees then). Keep the great videos coming.

[@leealtmansr.3811]

Thank you for this great history lesson.

[@leanaleelr]

Thank you so much for this video. I grew up in that area. My first Summer job was on that hill. I always thought the old Agricultural station was a train station too. Thank you for showing me my hometown. I love all of your videos

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

[@secretdaisy6484]

Another interesting trip through a place I’ve never been or heard about. Thanks 🙏. When I take my extended trip out west I’m definitely going to be looking through all of your videos so that I can see things that I wouldn’t otherwise know existed. I know I will have a much better time checking out many of the interesting places you highlighted. If you compile them on a DVD 📀 and include a book 📕 I will definitely buy it. Keep up the great work. 👍☮️🌞🚘🗺️

[@johnnyfreedom3437]

There are some places farther east I have been that I'm sure others would like to see. But you always go to places I've never been and let me see the sights there! I never got to enjoy the desert, and all the abandoned towns! So thank you

[@kplante7881]

Well done…. Thanks for sharing…!

[@Indianamatthew]

Thank You...Great Video...

[@jerroldkazynski5480]

Nice video & content. Gobs of history around there. Also, my stint at Goffs is over and I'm on the road until October! See you on the trails!

[@2011joser]

I was born in nearby San Luis and my parents retired there. Through the years we explored as much of the area as we could on visits but never heard this story. Thanks for doing the research and making this video.

[@PinInTheAtlas]

Thank you for recommending our Yuma prison video, Steve. Much appreciated.

[@toymaster5464]

Hey thanks Steve for the video and for you braving that restroom (bees too)! 😂 The things you have to endure to bring us a very informative videos is going above and beyond! So thank you yet again!

[@DreamingCyclist]

Thanks very much for these videos; really enjoying them from Sydney, AUS. (resident of Phoenix in the 1980s)

[@josephstanick8395]

Very informative and entertaining. 👍

[@SidetrackAdventures]

Thank you.

[@skiracer]

Hi Steve, I ski on that snow that's down there in that Colorado river. I appreciate your videos alot!

[@jane112wedge]

Always enjoy your videos...so informative! Thank you! The bird is an Osprey..

[@matthewgauthier7251]

Cool stuff always. Living in fletcher hills as a boy my neighbor, rather older at the time, had been a trustee for the Yuma Territorial prison. Kinda trippy that long arm of our associations reaching far into the past. One you are gracious to show us. Thanks

[@juliogonzales5441]

GREAT 👍 HISTORY STEVE 😊

[@kimberlycorliss9616]

Fascinating area and history. Beautiful too.

[@charsbob]

Thanks! You covered a bit of history I didn't know about. It helps to explain why Spain went to all the time and trouble of sailing up the Gulf to reach California.

[@tonyfranks9551]

Top notch again.

[@SpanishEclectic]

I'm very interested in this area, especially the history going back to the 18th Century, so I really appreciate when you compare the old maps with the current locations. I've driven past/through Yuma many times, but always on a mission (ha ha) to arrive somewhere else. The prison is scary. Fascinating to see, but not a place anyone would want to stay. Wouldn't it be fascinating to see a computer generated time-lapse showing the changes in the course and topography of the Colorado? That's definitely a bird of prey, but it may be young, so hard to be sure what kind. The river is beautiful this time of year, with everything green from the rain; loved the view from the guard tower. Definite thumbs up on this video. :)

[@angelmist4253]

Another swell story. Thanks, Steve.

[@davidelcess6559]

Great video.. I lived in Yuma 5 years ago and loved it.. great place lots of history.. including the center of the world and don’t forget Mexico .. thanks 🙏

[@mawi1172]

YOU are the main attraction here. Dear! We learn lots from you!

[@heyoldman2003]

I always liked theYuma area …I remember seeing a high school that sported a sign .. the Yuma Convicts as there school logo 😎. Thanks again Steve .. love your adventures

[@boxcustom]

Criminals

[@kyleohara8700]

AHHH I WAS LITERALLY THERE AT THE PRISON ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON!!!! I hope you had a great time!

[@mikecon7634]

Hummingbird

[@rickkaylor8554]

Great video - as always. You find the most interesting places and history. I enjoy going to the Prison Hill Brewing Company when I'm in Yuma. They have really good beer and food.

[@SidetrackAdventures]

I'll have to check it out. We seem to always end up at Cracker Barrel.

[@rickkaylor8554]

@@SidetrackAdventuresToo funny. Last time I was in Yuma with my wife and friends we ate at Cracker Barrel. Good food!

[@aquatecpoolservice4547]

Bird looks like an osprey we have here in Florida. Locals call them Sea Eagles. But I'm just kinda guessing. Love your channel.

[@jaysonpida5379]

Great vid. Glanton and the Quechan are in Cormac McCarthy's famous book, 'Blood Meridian'.