Looking for the Ruins of La Paz, Arizona - Where the Civil War Came to the Colorado River
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2024
- For a short time La Paz was one of the biggest towns in Arizona and was in consideration to be the territorial capital. Now, the town has all but vanished from the face of the earth. All that is left are a few brick walls and mounds of mud.
Established in 1862 after gold was found nearby, with an influx of Californians the town quickly grew, and so did the violence. By early 1863 there had been a number of murders at the town, but on May 20, 1863, an ambush by a Confederate volunteer on three Union troops in the town, would make the town the westernmost spot where blood was spilled in the American Civil War.
La Paz was also the site of one of the many atrocities committed against native peoples, as it was the ending point of the La Paz Trail of Tears, where countless Hualapai died while being forcibly relocated from their homeland.
Despite the violence, the town was the business and political center of the area, but in 1866 the Colorado River shifted, and left the town high and dry. Eventually the county seat moved from La Paz to Yuma, and the town faded away. In 1912, the Colorado River flooded, washing through the townsite, melting the abandoned adobe buildings and eliminating most traces of the the town.
For more info on the La Paz Trail of Tears: hualapai-nsn.gov/wp-content/u...
La Paz can be found at: 33.678953, -114.478690
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as a young man in the late 70's I was hitchhiking in true hippie fashion across arizona heading for the west coast, an old gray haired indian man in a beat up 50's model pick up truck stopped and gave me a ride he was a really decent friendly guy that was interesting to talk to, it was hot so I offered to buy us a cold soda,we stopped at a beat up old mom and pop store in the middle of nowhere it had a screen door as an entrance I started in the old fella that owned the place grabbed the door from me and said "you can come in but the indian stays out" I was shocked and I'm from the old south where prejudice used to run rampant. I told him we will take our business elsewhere...I'm 68 now and have never forgotten that it reminds still like something out of a billy jack movie
Thank you for sharing that story.
... there is still a lot of hate in the world and here in Arizona maybe not as bad as those days best wishes from Buckeye Arizona 🤠🌵🐎🇺🇸
@@DouglasRichardson-er4ky You have no clue as to why the storeowner reacted that way. You are assuming racism or whatever other evils are in your own mind. What if the Indian guy had been there a lot and was a known thief or drunk. What then?
@@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm ... dude NEVER apologize for racists, EVER!!
@@DouglasRichardson-er4ky The hitchhiking hippie who tells the story ASSUMED it was racially motivated and hasn't a clue why the old storeowner reacted the way he did. Neither do you. It was how HE saw it. Or how his brain explained the situation to him. Remember, he said he was from the South and thus pre-programmed to see racism EVERYWHERE; EVEN IN Arizona towards Indians. I don't apologize for racists but a single chance meeting with someone he did not know doesn't prove racism. It may prove he is easily triggered or he might have been, as hippies of the day were, stoned. Not all hippies of the day were stoners; just most of them. And they saw wonderful pink elephants, too. A credibility issue. Who knows why the storeowner reacted the way he did. Are you pre-programmed to see everything as racism? Or do you believer in every story about possible racism because, for some reason, you want to do so. Please think about that as it may make you a happier person. I'm not saying racism does not exist. What I am saying is don't jump to forgone conclusions. Consider that before you categorize folks as racist. Get the full story or give folks the benefit of the doubt until then. Otherwise are you not doing what racists do. Judging people on single incidents ........ or their skin color. Not all White people are racist. But you can categorize them that way based on THEIR skin color and your preprogrammed views.
You know how to tell a story !. I just watched 13 minutes of concrete blocks, mud and sand with great interest !! Well done.
😅
😂😂
Great description, and a fun one, too.
As a history buff I absolutely love your presentations. They are factual, concise and well organized. People with a true love of history, both the good and the bad, are held in high esteem by me. You're definitely in the upper echelon of my list.
What I find most amazing is that the Colorado River was at one point, navigable way up there.
It's about 170 miles from the Gulf to I-10 along the river route. I imagine only shallow draft boats could make the trip, and then only in the wettest time of the year. I bet that even then it was rather treacherous with sandbars and obstructions.
"Navigable is a relative term!
Very cool! 😎
I'm familiar with that whole area.. My Brother and I owned about an acre and a half in Ehrenberg, just up the road..... He eventually retired there with his wife. We had it for years and used to just say offhand, "... Yeppers, I'm going out to 'The Ranch' this long weekend for some fishing/hunting/etc....". We started with two "shacks" and put in A LOT of work and actually had great little place to get out to. We kept a couple of desert buggys there and had a map list of things to go and see when we were there because there's a lot of history in that whole area on both sides of the River....
Seeing La Paz is/was on the list. After My Brother passed, his wife got pretty reclusive and visiting stopped a few years ago until she passed.....
Don't be sad, it's real life! Her daughter and I are good friends but we both live in other places in Arizona, so the next door neighbor is watching the property...... My Brother and I liked the place because it was central to the area and visiting the historic sites was not an issue! And the fishing was good and well as hunting.
Thanks for taking us out to La Paz! 😊😊!
That is cool.
Yes, what happened to the Natives was tragic and horrific. But they gave just as good ad they got. Take my ancestor for example; Jenny Wiley. Her story is out there for anyone who cares to research it.
Love your channel, Steve. I smiled at your comment about Californian's ruining Arizona. I grew up in San Diego, but moved to Arizona 45 years ago, so I consider myself an Arizonan, and approved of your comment. I am a land surveyor so I've been almost everywhere in the Arizona back country, but you keep finding novel historic places for me to visit. Thank you!
As the saying goes, the definition of a flatlander is anyone who got to the mountains after you did.
@@skydiverclassc2031thank you.
Funny, as a San Diegan we are always complaining about “Zonies” who visit our beaches and don’t know how to drive. 😬
Being from Parker, the California comment made me smile too. I had a friend who called the weekenders from Cali the "zoo people". 😄
Hey Steve, you guys saved that penned up dog, so it seems that you have the camera running when it really counts. Stay safe around the crumbling infrastructure my friend!
Lived in Yuma for a few years in the early 80's. My husband's work took him up and down the Colorado River area, he encountered many very independent, unique residents. The Dam on the Colorado was opened in the 1980's causing a lot of flooding of mobile homes & buildings along the river, perhaps even causing more damage to the ruins of the ghost town. Building along a river is never advisable, think Egypt, with the Nile (like our Native People) farmed the land along the river because it did flood, making the soil rich.
I will agree, some things never change
Yeah, a lot of the descriptions of the area from the time of the town talk about the Mohave growing crops along the river.
I was actually commenting on about Californians moving in
I don't mind people moving in for a better life but leave your crap where you came from
@@brianhansen4761 Usually made by emigrants who got there before the recent ones.
I grew up in Ehrenberg a bit from there and I never knew about La Paz. Thanks, that was interesting.
I think most people just moved to Ehrenberg from La Paz.
I love these videos. Makes an Arizona boy proud somebody takes the time to highlight its past.
Thanks. I was surprised there wasn't so much as a marker out there.
I live right across the river in Blythe. I have visited this area and site many times.
Always wonder what people do for work in Blythe on the way to Glamis,
It's 9am Wednesday and I gotta watch Sidetrack Adventures!!
Thanks!
this channel should have 500k subs easy.
It’ll get there
I've always kinda wanted to visit the American Southwest. (I've never in my life been further west than about Minnesota.) It seems like such a fascinating historical area to visit and poke around.
... you should come stay in Phoenix/Scottsdale the winter months are the best Oct to April but if you like dry hot heat like I do swimming is fabulous when the water is 95° and the air is 119° under the umbrella in the lagoon area of my pool it don't suck one bit here. I grew up in Madison WI 🥶🥵 so extreme weather sorta my bag I guess. Greetings from Buckeye Arizona 🤠🌵🐎🇺🇸
@@DouglasRichardson-er4ky I actually prefer the cold to the heat, which is why I don't live in the desert, but thanks for the advice!
@@CaptainSouthbird ... there are a lot of nice resorts out here some very old school some brand new. If you like to golf great courses here. Look up Desert Shadows Resort 1950s modern very old school but has been modernized
Its tons of fun to explore. There's so much space that places people just abandoned stay abandoned too.
I’m from the Deep South. Never farther west than Tulsa until a trip to Las Vegas in 05 for a business convention. During that trip I car toured much of AZ, a little UT, and some southern CA on side trips (I referred being away from Vegas when possible). I was so smitten by the southwest I made it my mission to find work somewhere in the west, finding a great job in the AZ mountains where I stayed for almost ten great years. If you like cold, the az mountains can provide it. While it is not quite as cold as MN, but I did have my first ice fishing experiences there, about a 3 hour drive from Phoenix.
I highly recommend that you at least visit the west, but be prepared to want to stay there. I’m retired now, back in the SE US, but I miss AZ every day and would love to be back there.
I’m fascinated by old abandoned infrastructure. I live out east on Cape Cod in Mass. There are so many very old stone walls and foundations to old structures, all scattered out in the middle of nowhere, occasionally you’ll come across an old overgrown graveyard. There are a lot of “newer” old abandoned cranberry bogs from about 1875-1900 lots of channels dug across forests and swamps; you’ll still find wooden structures half buried in the overgrown bogs, Weirs, dams, pump houses etc. it’s so different out there in the desert, but so similar in a strange way.
You’re doing a great service for our collective history, keep at it Steve!
What a monumental learning video about a place I have often heard about but never realized so much history was attached to such a barren area! I can't imagine the amount of water that literally leveled a town of that size too. I was not aware that The Civil War had a stake as well in that area! I believe "Frog" Edwards got what was coming to him too. I did in fact go and read that link Steve that you left about The Trail Of Tears. Absolutely heart wrenching to read. The landscape was incredible to view too. I smiled too when you mentioned how you saw The Mystery Animal and their abode and as always you were making sure you were not a bother to it! The World Needs More Courtesy and Manners...Thank You! MOO From COW-lumbus, Ohio 👋
Thank you as always. Yeah, I always try to let any animals be, I figure that's the best way to keep from having my face bit off!
So glad to have come across your videos. I live in the mid Pennines in the UK, very green, wet and generally cold. Where you are is like being on the moon in comparison. Fascinating history too.
I sure look forward to your videos every week !! Thanks Steve !
Thank you. That means a lot.
It definitely goes to show, that when you think you are just looking a desolate area of land, dont assume it has always been that way. I enjoyed hearing the history of this place. Thank you for your research and sharing it with us 😊
I had come across the mention of this town a few times in my readings but had little information as to its story other than it being a major destination for riverboats for a while so I really appreciate your efforts in filling in blanks for me. Thanks.
No problem. It's amazing how fast it went from being a major destination to disappearing.
I always stop what I'm doing to watch your stories. You are a grand storyteller and weave a tapestry as fine as any. Keep bringing history to light.
That was fascinating, thank you. I recognise La Paz as Louis L’Amour mentions it in several of his wonderful western novels.
I'll have to check out his novels. My landlord loaned me a box full.
Kudos for finding the location. Not many can fond the location. I live on the CRIT reservation where La Paz is/was located. Mexican Gold Miners were the first to find the alluvial gold deposits in the 1860's and keep it quiet for a while until they started showing off large nuggets down river at Colorado City ( near Blythe) . Most of the mines around nearby Ehrenberg all processed ore at the stamp mill located at La Paz. The stamp mill and ore classifier were still used until the early 20th century. The river was always a couple miles away When La Paz was in use. They used the narrow Goodman Slough (now dry) to access the Colorado River. Steam boats unloaded/loaded at the entrance to the slough were small boats would would take supplies to a flat area about a quarter mile from the townsite. Carts would take it the rest of the way. I have located the transport area after a fire burned the area a few years ago. Before the dams were built, high flood waters would rush into the slough and flood that area on many of occasion. Funny, the local Indians were well aware of this and probably thought it amusing when it happened to La Paz.
FYI... This area is on tribal land and the tribal police patrol this road. They arrested a man and wife for metal detecting there just last year. They are serious about not disturbing tribal land
Were they metal detecting at La Paz? It sucks that people would disturb archeological sites.
Yes, they were detecting around the flat area around the melted adobe mounds, which in its self is not a problem. As you could see, there was not much left to consider it an archeological site. It's is a big reservation and they did not know they were on it. They still find remnants of La Paz down river from time to time. Just this past year, we had bad flooding and a wood burning stove was found in a river channel about 3 miles south of La Paz that we think came from La Paz.
Love your show!
Like,everything along the Colorado River Indian Tribal lands, just falls apart in ruins
@@robertlyman9789 Unfortunately, yes this is one of many reservations that is mismanaged.
This like all the rest of your videos is very good , I watch quite a lot of your older video's my friend. THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA......
You must be narrating these videos from a desk, otherwise you must be in great physical health because even though we hear your footsteps there is never a hint of exhaustion in your voice. In any case, the mix of hearing your footsteps with your voice adds a great deal to your presentation. Another very nice video, Steve. I'll keep watching!
Usually if I get to a point where I start breathing heavy, I'll wait till I recover so no one is subjected to me panting. There are certainly some videos where you can see the sweat though.
Nice job brother! Reminds me when I got stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ.
I've driven by there. Big change from Ft. Bragg!
Same area,,down the 95 is a monument for the Japanese internment camp that was there during ww2. Also across from the monument there are still buildings that were used at that time. After the war, buildings were used for work camps. So much saddness occurred in that area.
If I remember right Steve has done a video on the camp.
I drove through there maybe a year or so ago, and stopped to see the monument, had no idea about the buildings still being there. I talked to the Tribal Police and they showed me the buildings. I'm not sure what it is about this area that they've wanted to build camps there every 80 years or so!
@@SidetrackAdventures punishment and isolation ... either as a an interment camp or workcamp, options for escaping very limited. Extreme heats and environment made perfect deterrent. We went into one building,, row of bunk beds, some with straps and locks still on the frames. Inside door locks.. we took pics .. it was so eerie. We tried to go back for more pics,, but an older gentleman told us to go away. We did.
after finding all the information possible about any of your locations.... you do a great job figuring out what is best told when and where in your final production.... I think this is why so many enjoy your channel.
Thx for another great one, Steve.
Thanks, Steve, for another enjoyable video.
Glad you enjoyed it.
fantastic video I like hearing about these old mining towns! I also like your cap ✌️
Thanks!
Fascinating history about Edward’s and the Le Paz Incident. We drive past there a few times a year- will have to check out the old town site and look to see if we can find an old town photos/map.
Its somewhat hidden by trees, but the memorial is the easiest thing to find, the remains of the old town are right by that.
Steve, I’ve always been interested in the civil war. I’ve learned more about the Western battles from you than anywhere else. Thanks for your exhaustive research.
This was great! I grew up with the authors of the Arizona Ghost Town books and always wondered what was left at the site since the book claimed (back in 1970's) that nothing was left. Thanks.
Just found my copy of GHOST TOWNS OF ARIZONA, that I bought as a ten year old kid in '75, that i misplaced mid last year.... Whehhhhhh! I've hit what remains of just about every location in that book, in the last 49 years. In a book and magazine collection that numbers in the thousands (mostly EVERTHING hot rod related, but hundreds of ghost town books as well) I consider that particular book one of my most important purchases, ever.
@@Charles-qq7vf I took his GT Class in College. It was my favorite class of all times. We even camped in Mogollon, NM for a weekend.
Oh, well done! So interesting and your research is outstanding. Even your background music is balanced and a good choice. Thanks much!
Thank you Steve.
Thank you.
Sometimes there isn't much to see but you always make these vids tremendously interesting. Thanks for another great story, Steve.
Folks are usually surprised that the Confederacy came to Arizona. My Great Grandfather John Tillman Davis was Sheriff of San Saba County Tx, and left his post in 1862 to ride with a Confederate Cavalry unit stationed somewhere around Tucson. He returned to San Saba but had an illness he caught in Arizona and died in 1870.
Thank you, good video. I like that you give a lot of history and information.
Thank you.
Really interesting to see all the sights we passed going 60 mph right on past. Love your channel.
Hello steve
Another great video
Thank you.
Thanks for taking us along 😊😊
Steve i am glad you have GPS because you are always wandering around in the middle of no where land !
This place is right on the road, no worry about getting lost here! But yeah, I always have something in case of emergency.
@@SidetrackAdventures i am glad you saved that dog is he alright
Thanks Steve. Great video, as always.
Thanks Steve for yet another fine video and history lesson. Enjoying it whole having my breakfast! Keep them coming!
Look forward to your posts every week . Always informative.
With the long dry seasons in Arizona and Southern California, many people were (and are still, apparently) ignorant of the risk of floods and changes in river courses. I was just reading this morning about Tulare Lake that now covers farmland up north, and the usual spots that are under water in Mission Valley. Adobe is great for dry climates. I imagine the buildings at Ft. Yuma are still there because they are on high ground. I was fascinated by the colorful map you showed. Things like that and the old photos really make your videos come alive, along with your story-telling, of course. Fun to see the Chocolate Mountains already named, and a few other places I recognize. There was definitely a plot to steal California gold for the Confederacy.
I look forward to your weekly videos. Always interesting. Thanks.
Awesome video as usual , always super interesting . Thank you .
Well done Steve, another great video. Thanks for taking us to all these places.
Another great video. Thanks for sharing…!
Another great video Steve. I look forward to your next one, keep them coming.
Love your videos ❤ as usual great material!
Your subject matter and presentations are great, but the historical research you do is fascinating.
great video steve
Thank you.
Another GREAT Video!
I'm a new arrival and working my way backward through your catalog. Your writing, narration, filming and editing skills are excellent. All the odd little bits of trivia you find and as a previous commentator noted "13 minutes of concrete blocks" somehow becomes interesting as hell. I'm working backwards but I hope you'll keep adding new videos to keep the queue filled. All entertaining and relaxing at the same time - i'm forcing myself to ration them. Tell your wife we all appreciate her sharing you with us. Haha
Thanks, I appreciate it.
Excellent video. Thank you
Thanks for another great video.
Your videos always have something new and informative..Thank you for sharing
Another great video as usual!
You always come up with the most interesting adventures. Thanks for what you are doing.
Once again great job, super interesting with lots of interesting back story.. Many thanks, Bart
As a subscriber for awhile now I just wanted to say “ Thanks as usual “ for keeping American history alive & for bringing it to so many people to enjoy & gain the knowledge from . Way too much is being lost to time & “ Political correctness “ and it’s refreshing to see that you just keep these history lessons coming . Look forward to all you share buddy . Stay safe ,& C-ya in the next one 😎👍
Thank you!
Always a pleasure to follow you along on your discoveries 👍☺
Interesting episode here, thank you for sharing this story and history.
I'll have to watch on lunch break. Thanks Steve
Thanks, I appreciate it.
I always appreciate a great history lesson.
Thanks Steve.
You know how to give a great video.
Thank you. Great video.
Another place that I have been by many times but never knew about. Thanks Steve on the history of La Paz and all that remains there. Very interesting historical note about the Civil War and what took place there. Thank you so much once again!!!
Love your videos!
You're such a great narrator, and story teller.
Thank you Steve!
Love from your friend in Yuma
❤️🌵☀️⛈️🌈☮️🐾🐎
I love to hear the stories that go with these sites and I appreciate your effort to learn about the history and relay it to us!
THANK YOU!
You do such well researched and narrated videos. Perfectly paced to give us time to ponder the history. Thank you.
Thank you for preserving our history! 😊
Another great episode. Being a musician, your music choices & mixing is perfect.
Love the historical research you do. Very interesting 👍
Thanks for another fascinating video!
Thank you, I really appreciate it.
Another fact filled episode. Very nicely done. Thanks for sharing.
Great video. Thank you
Steve you are a bronze historical marker with an audio track. And like most historical markers I stop to visit, I re-read a time or two to make sure I get the whole picture. Thank you!!
Thanks Steve, love watching your videos.
Glad to hear it!
Another great job! Thanks for the La Paz history lesson.
Hi! Your presentations on history are truly captivating. They are filled with accurate information, presented concisely and in a well-structured manner. Thank you for sharing👍💕
Another fascinating video! Thanks, Steve! When I started watching a little over an hour ago, I was #23 to Like, then I got interrupted by a phone call. Just finished watching, and Likes are approaching 770. Well deserved! 🙂👍
I look forward to Wednesday Night's to watch your latest offering. Thank You!
6:00 The California curse, never changes.
8:20 So the Indians saying they like to hunt white men, is not racist and "Funny"? Food vs. Murder. That's the Indian logic?! The Indians where in perpetual war with the US since 1775. Cursed people till today. They weren't conquered and defeated until the 1890s. You make it seems that the Indians were noble in nature and NEVER committed atrocities towards whites, only the European did such horrific acts. sTFu
another great story Steve 👍🏼 thank you and take care kid 😎
Thanks for sharing ❤
Amazing. I learned something new and enjoyed the video as well. ❤
Loved this. I have been by there many times and never knew the history. Thanks Steve!😊
super nice vid sir, thank you
The most Westward Civil War Battle happened at Picacho Peak just off interstate 10 between Phoenix and Tucson looks like you might be close, great visit. Wanted to let you know, great video's.
You know. I've been watching your show's for awhile . Very Cool . Great job .
Thank you, I appreciate all the support.
Thanks Steve!
I think it's funny seeing random hoof prints in the desert. Love the videos Steve! Thank you!!!
Thanks, Steve. I am a little bummed that I was steps away from the Oatman Gravesite, however, my visit to Oatman was great.
Great job, Steve...
Thank you Steve for another great history lesson of America. Apart from being a great tour guide, you would be great as a history teacher in schools.
I really enjoy your videos.
If possible, please do a video of Picacho Peak and the battle there. Keep the history coming!
I want to, but I feel like I need to climb the mountain and made the mistake of showing my wife info on it and the chains spooked her and I haven't been able to convince her yet!
@@SidetrackAdventures Well sir, I wish you the best of luck. lol!
Hello from Northern Maine. We enjoy your vids so much.