The area where the city of Yuma is located was once occupied by the Yuma tribe, also known as the Quechan.
Hernando de Alarcón and Melchior Diaz were Spanish Conquistadors who in 1540 visited the area during the Spanish colonial expeditions.
They believed that the narrow crossing of the Colorado River would be ideal for the establishment of a city.

At first the relations between the Yuman and the Spaniards was cordial, however the relation between the two became hostile and the Yuman were forced to submit to the rule of the Spanish government and most were enslaved.

In 1853, Yuma ceased to be part of Mexico and became a United States Territory (New Mexico Territory) as a result of Gadsden Purchase.
The United States established Fort Yuma and an influx of settlers and farmers of European descent invaded the area.
The Yuma Crossing was ideal during and after the California Gold Rush to the late 1870s.
It was known for its ferry crossings for the Southern Emigrant Trail.

The Yuma tribe fiercely resisted the invasion of their homelands and fought against the US in the Yuma War (1850–1853).
They were defeated and were forced to move to Indian Reservations such as the one in western Yuma County in what eventually become the State of Arizona.

In 1853, Arizona City, a small settlement was established on the high grounds across Fort Yuma.
The settlement continued to grow and the government established the Yuma Quartermaster Depot.
From 1864, the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, today a state historic park, supplied all forts in present-day Arizona, as well as large parts of Colorado and New Mexico.
After Arizona became a separate territory, Yuma became the county seat for Yuma County in 1871, replacing La Paz County, the first seat.
Arizona City was renamed Yuma in 1873.
The area where the city of Yuma is located was once occupied by the Yuma tribe, also known as the Quechan. Hernando de Alarcón and Melchior Diaz were Spanish Conquistadors who in 1540 visited the area during the Spanish colonial expeditions. They believed that the narrow crossing of the Colorado River would be ideal for the establishment of a city.
At first the relations between the Yuman and the Spaniards was cordial, however the relation between the two became hostile and the Yuman were forced to submit to the rule of the Spanish government and most were enslaved.
In 1853, Yuma ceased to be part of Mexico and became a United States Territory (New Mexico Territory) as a result of Gadsden Purchase. The United States established Fort Yuma and an influx of settlers and farmers of European descent invaded the area. The Yuma Crossing was ideal during and after the California Gold Rush to the late 1870s. It was known for its ferry crossings for the Southern Emigrant Trail.
The Yuma tribe fiercely resisted the invasion of their homelands and fought against the US in the Yuma War (1850–1853). They were defeated and were forced to move to Indian Reservations such as the one in western Yuma County in what eventually become the State of Arizona.
In 1853, Arizona City, a small settlement was established on the high grounds across Fort Yuma. The settlement continued to grow and the government established the Yuma Quartermaster Depot. From 1864, the Yuma Quartermaster Depot, today a state historic park, supplied all forts in present-day Arizona, as well as large parts of Colorado and New Mexico. After Arizona became a separate territory, Yuma became the county seat for Yuma County in 1871, replacing La Paz County, the first seat. Arizona City was renamed Yuma in 1873.
List of historic properties in Yuma, Arizona