The Quartermaster Depot was authorized by Congress in 1865 and served the entire southwest as a material transfer and distribution point of troops stationed at the outpost of the Arizona Territory. The Park features the original Depot, an early adobe house, stagecoaches, mule wagons, and a steam train, a historic adobe corral and Visitor Center. Between 1876 and 1909, this penitentiary housed many of Arizona's most dangerous and notorious criminals. Famed in literature, movies and television, the remains of the prison are now Arizona's most visited State Historic Park. The cells, main gate and guard tower has endured as grim reminders of frontier justice.
Museum exhibits document the story of the prison.
Turn left onto Martinez Lake Road, go 10 miles and follow the sign. It has 25,000 acres of land and fronts both sides of the Colorado River for 35 miles. The refuge is a stopover for migratory birds, with some 235 species of all types spotted over the years. Both operations are located behind Olsen's store. There are few places in the world where you can spend a day traveling the cool waters of a river while viewing the natural wonders of a desert.