What the record shows
Originally known as Pot Holes, the mining town of 5000 took the name of La Paz when gold was discovered in the area in the 1860's. The town served as Yuma County seat 1862-70. It became a ghost town in the 1870's when the Colorado River changed its course (AZ-T101)
La Pazappears in the U.S. Geological Survey's place-name archive as a historical populated place — a settlement that once carried a name and no longer does. Our editors are verifying its full story against census records, newspaper archives, and county histories; this record will grow as sources are confirmed.
Before you visit
Unverified sites may sit on private land, and coordinates from historical records can be imprecise. Verify land status and access before traveling. Take photographs, leave nails — removing artifacts from federal land is a crime.
See it in context on the national atlas map.
From the field
The most valuable part of this record is the part only visitors can write.
Stamp your passport
Check in at La Paz — GPS-verified visits earn an inked stamp.
File a field report
Road conditions, what's still standing, what's gone — your report joins the record.
Add photographs
Credited, dated, and preserved as part of La Paz's permanent record.
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