The Unique Town In Arizona That’s Anything But Ordinary
By Monica Spencer|Published January 15, 2017
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Helldorado. The Town Too Tough To Die. No matter what you call it, Tombstone is one feisty little town in southern Arizona that perfectly captures the spirit of the Old West. With more than 137 years of movie-worthy history under its belt, this town is one that every Arizonan needs to visit at least once for both the history lessons and the entertainment that goes along with it.
Tombstone was founded in 1879, becoming one of the last true frontier boomtowns in America’s Old West with an economy based around its prosperous silver mines.
A major part of the town’s notoriety comes from the name itself. An Army scout searching for evidence of ore in the area was told he would be more likely to meet his own grave—or, in this case, tombstone—than find any minerals.
Tombstone’s claim to fame can probably be attributed to this famous quartet at the height of the town’s boom era when it was also an area known for its lawlessness. The gunfight at the O.K. Corral and later the Earp vendetta ride cemented the town’s (and Arizona’s) reputation in western history.
In reality, the gun fight took place near Fremont and 3rd Street, closer to Fly’s Photo Gallery but the name stuck over the years thanks to books, films, and TV shows that depicted the famous gun fight near the O.K. Corral.
Today, Tombstone has become a tourist destination for those looking to get a sense of what life was like during Arizona's territorial days. You'll find some original buildings still standing, some reconstructed after fires, and even a couple left almost completely untouched for decades after the town almost died.
You'll find plenty of history scattered around town but the major stop for everyone is Allen Street, the same street where most of the town's history, revelry, and violence took place.
In the 1880s, if you wanted to party in Tombstone, this was the street to do it. Allen Street was home to saloons, theatres, brothels, and gambling parlors, and was reportedly open 24 hours.
Historic buildings like the former Cochise County Courthouse help illustrate some of the other aspects of life in a town like Tombstone. Here, you can find artifacts of the period and even see the old gallows where some criminals met their end.
Another spot is Boothill Graveyard, a cemetery made up of about 250 graves. Among the interred are some well-known names if you're familiar with the history of the Old West. Many of the wooden tombstones feature epitaphs of how the individual died (most unique to time period) and some even feature some clever wording.
Of course, there’s plenty more to see around town but this is a good start to the many attractions you’ll find in Tombstone. If you’ve visited before, be sure to share your favorite experiences with us!
