Tombstone was founded in 1879 by Ed Schieffelin and has become a U.S. Registered National Landmark. It is home to a number of attractions like the O.K. Corral, Crystal Palace Saloon, the Birdcage Theatre, the world's largest rose tree, 1882 Cochise County courthouse, Big Nose Kate's Saloon and just outside of town - Boothill Graveyard.

 

Today several blocks around Tombstone' Allen Street offer a delightful mix of history, shopping and family fun. This mecca for Old West enthusiasts is visited each year by hundreds of thousands of visitors who stroll the boardwalks to see the real-life place that they have read about in books or seen in movies. They are not disappointed.

Tombstone is located on Highway 80, 25 miles south of Interstate 10 with about a one hour drive from Tucson or less than three hours from Phoenix.

A highlight to Tombstone is a visit to the O.K. Corral where in 1881 a
thirty second gunfight emblazoned the town, Wyatt and Virgil Earp and Doc Holliday in Old West history. It elevated them all into a mythical-like
status in the annals of the American West.

The site is still there and is a paid attraction with a museum and an
outdoor theatre that at 2 p.m. each day is the location of a reenactment of that famous gunfight. It is well worth the price of admission and I
especially liked the emphasis the actors placed on gun safety with the
youngsters.

Tombstone was once famous as a mining boomtown. Ed Schieffelin, a
prospector who was undaunted by the risk of Apache raids, found a rich
silver strike just outside of town. Soldiers at nearby Camp Huachuca had jokingly said that the only thing Ed would find would be his tombstone. Ed named his first claim The Tombstone. Ed and his brother had the last laugh as they received $600,000 for their claims in 1880.

Word of their discovery spread and as speculators settled, the town of
Tombstone was born. It was estimated that 7,000 people had moved there. Nearly 110 saloons were constructed including the elegant Crystal Palace. The Bird Cage Theatre and Schieffelin Hall were used for theatrical and musical performances.

Unfortunately reports say that crooked officials and unsavory cowboys
actually ruled the town. Frank Stilwell (who was being held in a stagecoach robbery) was provided bail by town officials and in December of 1881 he was free to take part in an attempted assassination of Virgil Earp, the town Marshal.

Tensions were high and on October 26, 1881 after Ike Clanton's repeated threats of violence upon Marshal Virgil Earp and bothers Wyatt and Morgan a showdown took place.

With the assistance of John 'Doc' Holliday, the Earps confronted the gang as they were laying in wait in a vacant lot just north of the livery stable. That gunfight left three of the gang (Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Clanton) dying and forever associated Tombstone with the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The dead were later transported and buried in Boothill Cemetery.

Tombstone's oldest festival "Helldorado" is celebrated annually in October with skits, music and townsfolk in period costumes. It is the town's way of celebrating their history. It continues to this day.

There are six groups of Western reenactors who perform at various venues around the town, weather permitting. They include the Tombstone Vigilantes, The Wild Bunch, The Boothill Gunslingers , Six Gun City Wild West Show, the Tombstone Cowboys and The Tombstone Regulators. Photos of these groups are regularly seen in advertising and promotion and are so believable they return you to those days so long ago.

The Tombstone Epitaph is an 1880's newspaper that continues publication today. You can secure a reprint of the 1881 Epitaph edition with reports of the O.K. Corral gunfight and following Wyatt Earp murder trial. You can see the printing equipment that turned out those papers.

Today visitors can walk the same streets, stand on the sight of the famous gunfight and visit the saloons and theatres that remain today. There are also plenty of shops and restaurants to make the town a worthwhile visit when in Southern Arizona. Of course there is a great selection of western wear available for purchase.

A number of special annual events are held each year and details and dates can be secured by visiting Tombstone's website www.tombstone.org

There are several RV parks, There's one in town and one on the outskirts. At press time we learned of a new one on the site of the old Tombstone railroad yard. Silver Belt RV Park is at 1076 Allen Street. 5200.457.3961 We did not have the opportunity of seeing it while in Tombstone.

There are a number of cabin rental areas that might be good if you don't
want to take your RV that far. They include lofts, kitchenettes, cable TV,
bathrooms with showersbunk beds and porches with swings. Katie's Cozy Cabins. www.CabinsInTombstone.com 520.457.3962

A number of tour companies operate in Tombstone including stagecoach and jeep tours.I could write pages more copy on what to see and do in Tombstone but space does not allow it. Visit their web sites to learn more.