Colorado City
December 30, 2007
Arizona has two Colorado City’s. The first of Yuma. or the name had Yuma had when it was under Spanish rule from that time until 1854. The Gadsen Purchase caused Yuma to become a part of the United States. Fort Yuma was built during the Gold Rush, in 1849. The fort insured a safe southern travel route to California and brought peace to the area. In 1854, the town was established as Colorado City, but later the name changed to Arizona City in 1871. Not long afterward, the name was changed again this time to Yuma, 1873. Today it is the county seat.
The other Colorado City is located on the northern border of Arizona adjacent to Hilldale, Utah. Colorado City was originally called Short Creek, for a nearby stream that sank into the sand before it had run very far. The area is covered with evidence of an early Anasazi population. One of the first modern settlers was William Maxwell in about 1908. Other early settlers were ranchers and cattlemen and, a few years later, homesteaders. In about 1930, a group of religious fundamentalists came from Utah seeking refuge and played a major part in pioneering the community to the thriving little city that it is Colorado City.
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