Tombstone’s Timeless Charm: A 2024 Guide to the Town Too Tough To Die
From its founding in 1877, the community of Tombstone has stood for the quintessential Wild West image: a secluded desert setting that draws hordes of intrepid travelers ready to go to any lengths to get wealthy. In a matter of years, the population expanded rapidly to surpass 15,000 units, even though the original nucleus only had a hundred people. It is said that while Ed Schieffelin, the gem hunter who first identified the silver deposits in this region, was at Camp Huachuca, a military outpost established as a base camp for an expedition against the Apache ethnic group’s Chiricahua Indians, he made the decision to go on an expedition to the nearby mountains in search of stones.
The Birth of Tombstone: A Silver Lining in the Wild West
The soldiers warned Schieffelin that his voyage would be fruitless and that there was a good chance he would find nothing but his own “tombstone” in those mountains, but he nevertheless headed out and found a significant silver resource. He chose the name “Tombstone” for the community he founded, rather ironically, keeping in mind the warning he had received.
Tombstone by Night: Saloons, Theatres, and the Red Light District
Consequently, the real source of Tombstone’s wealth was the silver mines, where the men worked during the day before swarming to the many saloons and brothels in the town at night. Here came businessmen, speculators, cowboys, lawyers, prostitutes, gunslingers, and other criminals, but also respectable people coming here with their families and foreign workers (mostly Mexican and Chinese) looking to make quick cash. With theaters, more than a hundred saloons, a red light district, schools, churches, newspapers, and even a public swimming pool (one of the first in all of Arizona) still in use, the village grew quickly and eventually assumed the features of a true town in less than ten years.
Visiting Tombstone Today: A Guide for the Modern Traveler
There are still less than fifteen hundred people living in Tombstone today, and most of them are employed by the high volume of tourists that come here each year to see the impeccably preserved dusty streets from that era. Main Street has an unstoppable charm; even after the catastrophic fires of 1881 and 1882 entirely destroyed it, the mines were abandoned, and there were fights and revolver-wielding counts that made it one of the most iconic Western locales ever.
The Gunfight at O.K. Corral: Tombstone’s Claim to Fame
The most famous shooting incident in history, “the Gunfight at O.K. Corral,” is arguably the reason that most people associate Tombstone with a news item that happened on October 26, 1881. The Earp brothers, who were only considered “lawmen” on paper, faced up against the McLaury and Clanton band of outlaws, together with Doc Holliday, an alcoholic who was always on the lookout for trouble, on the dusty roads. The fight lasted only twenty-four seconds, but at least thirty shots were fired during that time, killing Billy Clanton, the two McLaury brothers, and Doc Holliday.
This fight was undoubtedly not the bloodiest or most spectacular ever, and for fifty years it was essentially unknown to most people until Wyatt Earp’s biography rediscovered the episode. However, it was brought to light in the cinema thanks to the 1950s Burt Lancaster film “The Challenge at the O.K. Corral,” which was the first of even more recent films about the city and the shooting. Other films that have been made about the city and the shooting include Tombstone (1993), starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer.
Even though this was unquestionably one of the most dangerous cities in the West during the economic boom, it was also a vibrant and culturally active town with several theaters that some so-called “respectable” people frequented in addition to men-only cabarets and brothels.
Tombstone’s Living History: From Theaters to Bullet Holes
Schieffelin Hall, which opened its doors in 1881, was the most well-known of these. This venue has hosted plays and musicals, and it is also the location of Morgan Earp’s evening shooting death. Presently, the structure serves as a town hall and a gathering spot for a few community organizations.
The Bird Cage Theater
In contrast to Schiffelin Hall, the other major theater in the city was called the Bird Cage Theater, so named because of the cages of birds that hung from the ceiling, providing provocative entertainment for the patrons. Aside from its more theatrical uses, the theater was also a saloon, gambling den, and brothel, and it was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It was also established in 1881 and ran for eight years. The New York Times described it as the most outrageous and twisted nightclub in the country, due to its widespread renown. At least 140 bullet holes, spread throughout the building’s walls and ceiling, attest to the establishment’s shady repute.
A journey to Tombstone would not be complete without stopping by the post office, which opened in 1878 and is still operational today, just as it would be impossible to visit the historic cemetery without going through restoration and still be able to see the characters from the epic battle of the O.K. Corral, among others.
The Tombstone Courthouse
Remarkably impressive is the Tombstone Courthouse, a magnificent Victorian-era structure that served as the “house of the law” for the sheriff’s office, courtroom, and jail. As a last activity, you can explore one of the historically significant saloons that has been restored and see the historic Good Enough Mine, which Schiffelin first opened in 1878. Because the town is small, you can still find all the tourist attractions it has to offer with a quick stroll around the center.
Situated in southern Arizona lies Cochise County, also known as Tombstone County. From the town on the Mexican border, it is only 50 kilometers away. In the vicinity, there are a number of other intriguing locations worth seeing, such the towns of Bisbee and Benson, or amazing natural settings like the Colossal Cave Mountain Park and the Cochise Stronghold in the Dragon Mountains, which is where the fabled Apache king gave the county its name.
How do I get to Tombstone?
To get to Tombstone, take an aircraft to Phoenix, the Arizona capital, or, for a more pleasant experience, fly to Tucson. From Tucson, take the I-10 east until you get off at exit 303, then follow the signs to Route 80, which will take you to Douglas and Bisbee.
What is the best time of the year to visit Tombstone?
While visiting the Old West is enjoyable throughout the year, bear in mind that summertime temperatures can reach extremely high levels.
