The Arizona sentinel., 1894-12-01
Resources
Of
Yuma County.
YUMA COUNTY.

situated in the embrace of gentle rolling
hills, upon whose crests and sides the
modern homes of our superior civilization
are crowding the adobe dwellings into
eternal oblivion. Yuma is the gateway to
Arizona, the new empire Of the West, upon
whose undeveloped riches the eyes of the
ountry are at present turned, and as such,
she is bound to grow and prosper with d
rapidity that at present can hardly be re-
allied. But coupled with her geographi-
cal position we find that she is the center
of a country whose agricultural possiblll-
ties are practically unlimited, being sur
rounded by soil the fertility of which
exceeds that of the delta OF the Nile, and
wanting o1ly water to become paradise OF
bloom. Billions of gallons of that precious
fluid have annually gone to waste at
Yuma's very doors, but already reaction
is taking place and many enterprises are
on foot to supply the life giving waters OF
the yellow Colorado to the thirsty earth.
XIV ERS OF I L SOO
In regard 60 climate, healthfulness, fer
tility and productiveness of soil, facilities
for cultivation, irrigation and abundance OF
water supply, variety OF resources and
cheap transportation by rail and by water,
no part of Arizona can surpasS Yuma
county, which is destined to become one OF
ichest and most prosperous counties IN
Arizona.
1t lies between 80 co. and 340 90 north
latitude and lI30 20 and ll4' 40' west
longitude. 1t contains SASS, 800 acres. 1t
is about as large as the States of Rhode
Island, Connecticut and Delaware COM
hi ed, or as large as either New Hampshire,
Vermont or Massachusetts,.
The western boundary of Yuma County
is formed by the Colorado river, which
separates Arizona from California The
county is bounded on the north by Williams
Fork and the Santa Maria river, whose
waters flow into the Colorado; on the east
by the counties of Pima, Maricopa and
Yavapai, and on the south 10y Sonora,
Mexico. It's county seat is the town Of
Yuma.
The Colorado river drains the entire ter
ritory of Arizona, and every drop CT water
which falls on its mountains and plains
iinds its way to this mighty river. 1t is
formed by the union of the Green and
Grand rivers, fed by the streams which
rise in the Rocky Mountains, and the melt
ing SHOWS cause a greater depth of water
in this river in summer than in winter. thus
furnishing the most water at the season
when it is most required for the purposes
of irrigation and agriculture.
1t will be seen that for the entire distance
along its western boundary, Yuma County
possesses the great advantage OF cheap
water transportation.
The ella river rises in the western part
of New Mexico and is fed by numerous
streams, among the most prominent Of
which are the San Pedro, Aqua Fria, Has
sayampa and Salt rivers. 1t flows west
through Yuma County and empties into the
Colorado at the town of Yuma.
Yuma county, traversed by these great
rivers from its northern to its southern
and from its eastern to its western bound
aries, possesses a far greater water supply
in he tO1.
and far more than can be found in all Cali
fernia.
This water is now being diverted from it
natural channels by means of numerous
large irrigating canals, and utilized for The
purpose of retaining and irrig"ting tn
immense tracts of lands which lie i'll thi
favored country, and which are as fertil
as any in the world.
The Southern Pacific Railroad crosses tn
Colorado river at the town of Yuma AM
runs through the county, following til
generol course, and at an average distance
of about four miles south, of the ella river
rendering all the lands susceptible of irri
cation and cultivation, can find an cas-
outlet in this way and can be transpol te
to all the markets and centers Of populatio
in the East or West.
Another competing railroad is projecte
from San Diego. California. to the tow
of Yuma, ard thence along the north sid
of the ella river Thus Yuma County wi
have exceptional railroad advantages.
THE CLIMATE OF YUMA.
the year has no equal, as we believe, in tn
world, and during the remaining thre
months of the year, comprising June, Jul
and August, the heat is not oppressive
Even though the thermometer in nndsuu
mer may az times rise above 1902, and o.
casionaily even reach Ii00, yet, owing
the absence of moisture in the air, it is NJ
oppressive. The atmosphere is pure, igt
and balmy. When the mercury marks ii
highest extreme Of heat, person docs N
feel that oppression or debility which
felt in the Eastern States when the me
curry is ranging from So to 90'. The air
so dry that perspiratIon is absorbed as 500
as it reaches the surface of the body, al
at no time in the summer does the he
produce any discomfort.
LANDS AND SOILS.
The lands Of Yuma County comprise the riv
bottoms and valleys and the uplands or mesas 7
bottom ands are moister and slightly more ferti
IL, indeed. it is possible to m Ike compariSo
where all are so wonderfully productive and prolii