The Number Two Tourist Attraction in Arizona is...

Tomorrow, we're headed to Tombstone, Arizona. I wonder where it fits on the list of Arizona's top tourist attractions? #1 is the Grand Canyon. But, the #2 spot is hotly contested between Lake Havasu's authentic, antique London Bridge and Yuma's Territorial Prison. We visited both and can't agree on which one should have the honour of being #2. John voted for Lake Havasu. Obviously, he's British. It could have been a phone booth. (Which they must have thrown in the deal, because there is one there.) I bet the following conversation took place before the purchase was made.

Robert Plumer Real Estate Agent: Now hear me out. I know that 7 million dollars, in 1968, seems like a lot of money. But, you've got to believe me when I say that the tourists returning from the Grand Canyon have had enough of canyons and nature to last them a life time. They'll be ready for something different. Something they can tell their kids about, their grandchildren. Something cultural. Something English. An authentic, antique London Bridge. Besides, you promised the Government that if they gave you this land for free, you would develop it.  

Mr. McCullock, owner of  desolate Lake Havasu: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ridiculous. I can guarantee you that no one will  come to dry, barren, Lake Havasu just to see an authentic, antique London Bridge. That’s crazy talk.

What else have you got?

The deal was signed in 1968 and the bridge's construction was finished in 1971. 

Lake Havasu claims to have thousands of tourists visit each year.  

However, "I" think Yuma's Territorial Prison should be #2 because firstly, after you take your picture of the bridge, you are essentially done.

But at the prison you can take all kinds of  different pictures. 

But more importantly, I believe the prison deserves the honour of being the #2 tourist attraction in Arizona because of the following story, based on an article I found in  Yuma's old newspaper, "The Hell Hole."

Chico Viscaya, an inmate, killed a guard with a spike. His buddy grabbed the dead guard’s gun, shot a second guard, shot the tower guard, then forced the sentry to open the gate. A mob formed. Another guard attempted to reach the tower platform, but Chico’s buddy got him too. I bet the mob was thinking, “Si! Freedom! Si! Freedom!” I bet they were still thinking “Si! Freedom! Si! Freedom!” 

when they saw Madora Ingalls, wife of the Superintendent, run up the tower steps because, they loved and respected her. Madora Ingalls had introduced a band, health clinic, library and school for the inmates.

I bet they stopped thinking, "Si! Freedom! Si! Freedom!" when the twenty something, mother of three, grabbed that Gatling gun with both hands and fired that sucker at them. In fact, I know they were thinking, "Mierda!!! Estamos atornillados!!! What a perra!!!!!

Even though Chico's buddy fired back at the urging of another inmate, "Disparela dios maldita sea! No Parese solo alli como tontos!" or 

"Shoot her. God Damn it. Don't just stand there like fools." It was no use. Madora "Cajones of Steel" Ingalls single handedly quelled that prison escape in less than ten minutes. 

Now seriously, how can an authentic, antique London Bridge beat that?

Let us know which one you choose, and we’ll get back to you about where Tombstone fits on the list.

Senora Shelley y  Senor John

(Madora Ingills Photo,  Yumasun.com)