RVing Around America with Ron and Kathy: Historic Sites in Yuma

Sunday, February 12, 2017

President Lincoln’s Birthday

It has been a busy week for us here in Yuma. On Monday, Ron and friend, Bob played golf at the Cocopah RV and Golf Resort located on the opposite side of Yuma from us while Bob's wife Trisha came to our RV to teach me how to make cinnamon rolls. What a fun afternoon both Ron and I had.

I have baked very little with yeast all these years making a recipe from my grandmother for Portuguese Sweet Bread twice a year at most ever since I left home just a few years ago. Yeah, right, a few years ago. More like 50 years ago this past August. While my family has always eaten the bread no matter how it turned out - over cooked, under cooked and with not the greatest texture, I have always wanted to learn how better to make baked items with yeast. One of the other things I have tried over the years has been cinnamon rolls, but they just never were any good. So this was my opportunity to learn since Trisha makes all her own bread items every week. She had several little hints for me which I plan to try on my own.

Needless to say, when the guys arrived at our RV later in the afternoon, we all had to sample what Trisha and I had made. The rolls were yummy and I have told Trisha I will make another batch on my own this next week before we leave here. Should have taken a picture, but will do it when I bake them on my own.

The remainder of the week was spent with me continuing the quilting of the bed runner for our bed, awaiting the arrival of two new lighter weight outdoor chaise lounges, trying out a local restaurant down the road, getting our fix of In N Out Burger and doing some more sightseeing.

Yesterday Ron and I drove downtown to the Sanguinetti House, Museum and Gardens located just off the historic main street of Yuma.

The house was the home of pioneer merchant E. F. Sanguinetti who came from California in 1883 and going to work for a local merchant (John Gandolfo) as a clerk. He quickly rose to a full partner and later bought out Mr. Gandolfo. E. F. established 12 stores, numerous commercial buildings, a contract firm for site development, a dairy and a wide variety of other businesses becoming the largest employer in Yuma at the time. During the Great Depression he did suffer financial losses. In 1915 at the age of 48 he married Lilah Balsz the daughter of a pioneer Yuma family and had three children with her. She died in 1937 from a heart attack. In his later years, E.F. moved back to California where he died in 1945 at age 78.

The original Sanguinetti house (right next to the street) contained the two front rooms only and was later added on to one room at a time. Our tour of the house began with a docent who explained a bit about the family and the different businesses represented in the entry hall before we were left on our own to read information provided and take pictures. She told us several stories and pointed out something in the room where we found an old photography copier on display. The photographer was called a “post mortem photographer” which we had never heard before. It seems that when people died, the family often wanted a picture taken of the loved one with other family members since unlike today family photos were not common and they wanted something to remember their loved one. Thus, the name. On the wall here is a picture with one such deceased person with a living person. Can you figure out which is which? You’ll have to read to the end for the answer.

The front entry included furnishings from an old hotel front desk, a bar room display, a lady of the evening’s room, a wall showing a faro display, a pharmacy and a general store display as well as the photography display mentioned above.

Lady of the Evening Room

Pharmacy

General Store

Just off the entry was the front parlor with an old square grand piano. The docent particularly pointed out these two wall hangings which tell us how the Victorians flirted with each other. Interesting.

Living Room in old part of home

Dining Room

Kitchen

The gardens were not of much interest as it is a bit early for much color there, but it is a lovely place for a wedding which are done here quite frequently.

Leaving the Museum we continue down the road to the Quartermaster Depot which is also the location of the Visitor Center for Yuma. This Quartermaster Depot was established by the Army in 1864 to store and distribute supplies to the Army forts and posts throughout Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Texas, Nevada and Utah. With the arrival of the railroad in 1877 the need for the Depot ended.

Only five of the original buildings (the Store House, Quartermaster’s office, home and kitchen, the water reservoir and the Corral House) remain today and include historic displays. The house is the oldest home in Yuma built in 1859. Some interesting displays and a bit of history here.