All Roads to Lead to Yuma

Sept 2, 2008

Today we had another wonderful meeting with Patricia A. Etter, M.L.S., Emeritus College, Arizona State University at the University Club. Ms. Etter has been keeping us updated on the historic trails symposium being planned by the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) for January of 2009.

Billed as “All Roads to Lead to Yuma,” the symposium will feature speakers and tours covering several of the pioneer and early routes that converged on the historic crossing point of the Colorado River, from the Juan Bautista de Anza expedition in the 1770s to the Gold Rush era of the 1840s and 1850s to the stage routes of the late 19th Century. The dates set for the Yuma event are January 16 – 18.

Ms. Etter is on the steering committee along with John Krizek. Registration information through OCTA will be available in the summer at OCTA’s Web site www.octa-trails.org

Yuma’s unique history as the crossroads of the Southwest was recognized by the United States Congress in 2000 with the official designation of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area — the first entity west of the Mississippi River to be so recognized, according to city historian Tina Clark. Ms. Clark is assisting the committee with suggestions for tours and site visit locations. The Yuma Visitors Bureau also is helping
to facilitate arrangements for the Yuma symposium. “For 250 years, all roads in the southwestern U.S. have led to Yuma,” reports Krizek. “What better time of year than January to explore this historic corner of the country.”

Wild West Gazette is planning to attend the conference and report our findings in the March 2009 issue. We strongly encourage those interested in southwest history to consider attending and supporting this worthwhile endeavor.

After getting more familiar with Ms. Etter’s knowledge and experience of southwest history I have added her name to my list of “People Who Keep the Spirit of the West Alive”.