| Sears
Point Archeological Area: Situated above the flood plain
of the Gila River, the area is rich in prehistoric archeological resources.
It is on the south side of the river while the Anza expedition passed by
on the north. This area may become an interpretive site for the Anza Trail,
but the BLM intends to address issues of access and protection before the
site could be open to the public. It is not shown on the map.
Expedition Camp
#34: The Interstate 8, Arizona Department of Transportation
Mohawk rest stop is at the base of the Mohawk Mountains in view of an expedition
camp site and provides an interpretive opportunity.
Expedition Camp
#35, Cerrito de Santa Cecilia, Antelope Hill: Located
about six miles east of Wellton, this Anza camp site was a prominent geologic
feature beside the Gila River. It contained prehistoric resources such
as petroglyphs and grinding stone quarry sites. In the past several years,
the portion of the site owned by the Wellton–Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage
District was quarried extensively to produce rip-rap to armor the banks
of the Gila River. The cultural value of that site has been ruined, although
a portion of the hill managed by the BLM may still have some integrity.
Prison Hill, Yuma
Crossing National Historic Landmark, and Overview of Expedition Camps #39,
40, and 41: Long before Anza’s time, the junction of the Gila
and Colorado rivers were a crossroads where prehistoric trails converged.
Anza’s strategy was to cross the Gila first and then the Colorado. Upon
reaching what is Prison Hill today, Anza moved upstream several leagues
and carved a new crossing site through entangled brush. The expedition
delayed at the crossing to build a shelter for Fathers Garcés and
Eixarch, who remained.
Anza was helped by Captain Palma, a Yuma
(Quechan) chief, on both expeditions. During the 1774 exploratory expedition,
the Yumas carried Garcés across the Colorado flat on his back because
of his deathly fear of being swept down river. By preventing access to
this strategic crossing in a 1781 revolt, the Yuma Indians effectively
closed the Anza trail for the duration of the Spanish colonial period.
Several crossing sites were used in subsequent years as part of the Gila
and Old Spanish trails used by Mexican and American gold–seekers, emigrants,
military expeditions, and freight trains. Nothing remains of Anza’s crossing
site, but its location is generally known.
An interpretive exhibit will be installed
at Prison Hill within Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park overlooking
the Colorado River where the expedition crossed. |
