One might say that the first Yuma singles were Catholic missionaries. Back in the 18th century a group of Catholic missionaries wanted to pass from land now in Arizona to land that is now in California. They found one spot along the Colorado River where a crossing could be accomplished with minimum effort. That spot lay near where the city of Yuma, AZ was later established.
In the 1820s more Yuma singles began to arrive with the incoming homesteaders. Some of the single women had almost reached an age that would allow them to consider marriage. Other singles coming to Yuma were much younger. Some of those new residents could be described as Yuma girls.
By the late 1800s the popular Colorado River crossing had become home to many Yuma singles. The male singles sat at tables in the casinos and drank from mugs in the saloons. Some of the female singles earned a living by working at brothels. Meanwhile steamboats and trains, both of which stopped at Yuma, brought a steady traffic of potential new residents, potential Yuma singles.
During the California Gold Rush, the singles found that two of Yuma's best sources of income had been tapped by individuals willing to pursue gambling and sex. Yuma then found it difficult to keep singles out of the saloons, brothels and casinos.
After the passing of 150 years, the Yuma singles have found many other ways to earn money, and many other ways to entertain themselves. The present-day singles study for modern careers at Arizona Western College and Northern Arizona University (NAU-Yuma). Anyone in Yuma looking for singles can also find them at the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS).
When not intent on study or career goals, the Yuma singles have other interests. Men with dates and families with both Yuma girls and Yuma boys visit the Sahiti Camel Farm, a spot where one can view camels, desert foxes and Asian water buffalo. Sometimes the Yuma dating couples stroll along the paths at Yuma Crossing State Historic Park. Sometimes they walk through the door of the Century House Museum, the former home of an early Yuma settler.
Since the arrival of that first group of missionaries a diverse group of singles have met at the same spot where the Gila River meets the Colorado River. Those singles have helped to make Yuma, AZ the thriving city that it is today. Their desire for better ways to earn a living has led to the establishment of one College and one University campus. Their longing for more varied forms of entertainment has led to the creation of great tourist attractions.
And so the singles keep coming to Yuma, AZ. Now, though, they do not come just to enjoy some sex. Yuma attracts singles intent on pursuing a career and singles eager to experience life in a desert region. It attracts singles who want to marry and start a family, as well as singles who are content to remain unattached. As the population of the U.S. ages, Yuma also attracts many elderly singles.
Singles of every age will contribute material for completion of a more extensive survey, a survey covering the history of Yuma singles.