GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL - ONE OF THE OLD WEST'S MOST FAMOUS HISTORICAL


By Harold Merton

Scope photos by Harold Merton

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is emblazoned in American history. It took place on October 26, 1881 and began in the eighteen foot wide lot behind the O.K. Corra next to C.S. Fly's Boarding House and Photo Studio.

This inevitable showdown over control of Tombstone was the zenith of
months of threats, romantic rivalries, stage coach robbers, pistol whippings and arrests.

Police chief Virgil Earp deputized his brothers Wyatt and Morgan and Doc Holiday to help him disarm who were waiting to confront Doc Holliday when he returned to his rented room at Fly's.

When the shooting started an unarmed cowboy Ike Clanton ran into Fly's. In the next 30 seconds nearly 30 shots were fired. The three cowboys who stood their ground were all killed.

 

Tom McLaury, who some say was unarmed, was cut down by a blast rom Doc's shotgun. Frank McLaury stumbled onto Fremont Street and was shot in the head. Morgan Earp sot 19-year-old Billy Clanton.

Both Virgil and Morgan Earp were badly wounded, while Doc Holliday suffered superficial hip wound. Ony Wyatt Earp walk away unscathed.

That single gunfight took a prominent place in the history of the Old West and visitors to Tombstone, Arizona can walk the area where that history was created. The owners of the O.K. Corral have erected a display on the actual site which is a part of their attraction. Your admission ticket also gives you a fine outdoor theatrical presentation of the gunfight and youcan tour the O.K. Corral reawhich includes the original Corral Office, Prostitute's Crib, C.S. Fly's Photo Studio, Fly's Boarding House and the Cowboy Bunkhouse.

 

Their adjacent Tombstone Historama is a multi-media presentation of
Tombstne's history and is narrated by Vincent Price. Historame is open 9 - 4:30 daily.

They are open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The gunfight reenactment takes
place daily at 2 p.m.Down the street at the Tombstone Epitaph (a newpaper) - you can buy a copy of the 1881 edition that describes the gunfight and the inquest that follows.

It makes a great history lesson for the whole family!