Tombstone Arizona

By AZ Leisure Staff Writers

Once the Meanest Town in the West

Tombstone Arizona is one of the most famous Wild West towns in America, known for its legendary gunfights, historic saloons, Old West reenactments, and preserved frontier history. Located in Southern Arizona, Tombstone attracts visitors looking to experience authentic western heritage, historic landmarks, museums, and family-friendly attractions that bring the spirit of the 1880s back to life.

Step into Tombstone AZ and you'll be stepping back into the rough and tough days of the wild west. In the 1880s, Tombstone was a booming mining town that brought a rush of prospectors and miners looking to strike it rich. It also became a magnet to thieves, card-sharks, murderers, rustlers and an abundance of bad guys.

Why Visit Tombstone AZ

Tombstone offers visitors a rare opportunity to experience one of the best-preserved Old West towns in the United States. From walking historic Allen Street to touring the famous OK Corral and Boot Hill Graveyard, the town blends authentic western history with modern tourism attractions. Visitors can enjoy staged gunfights, horse-drawn carriage rides, historic saloons, museums, shopping, and live entertainment while exploring the same streets once traveled by Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Clanton gang.

Founded in 1879 by Ed Schieffelin who discovered rich silver deposits, the town grew quickly. Within two years, it became an isolated metropolitan city with two banks, three newspapers. four churches, an opera house and even a bowling alley. But the thriving streets of Tombstone became wild and wicked with 110 saloons, 14 gambling halls, several dancing halls with brothels.

Early Tension Was Inevitable

The town quickly became politically embroiled. Most cowboys had migrated from southern states and were Democrats and Confederate sympathizers. The miners and business owners and most lawmen came from the northeast and midwest were Republican and anti Confederacy.

Many of the outlaw elements in Tombstone called themselves cowboys but were actually a loosely-knit group of cattle rustlers and stagecoach robbers. Real cowboys in Tombstone called themselves "cattle-herders" or "ranchers" to distinguish them as honest folks as opposed to the "outlaw cowboys".

Cowboys were a reckless group that were welcomed into town because they were free-spenders at saloons. poker parlors and bawdy houses. As a result, shootings became common place on the streets of Tombstone. Boot Hill Graveyard in Tombstone still harbors the old grave sites of those murdered or killed during gunfights as well as others that were hanged for crimes.

Under the surface, tensions grew into deadly conflicts. The Earp brothers, Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan came to Tombstone in 1880 in search of becoming rich. They instead became involved as lawmen.

Ongoing conflicts with outlaw cowboys led to the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral pitting the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday against Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury. The gunfight resulted in the killing of the Mclaury's and Billy Clanton. Their bodies still lie at Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone.

Tombstone Almost Became A Ghost Town

The anticipated railroad into Tombstone never was built. The sophisticated city (by early west standards) remained an isolated desert wilderness. The silver mine struck water and mining operations came to a halt. Gunslingers, miners, outlaws, gamblers, ladies of the night, and Earp brothers left the area.

Peak population of 12,000 to 18,000 (by differing estimates) dwindled to 700 by 1900. Tombstone was saved from ghost town status because it had been named Cochise County Seat until 1929 when it was moved to nearby Bisbee, Arizona.

Tombstone, Arizona Today

Today the aura and spirit of the wild west is alive and well in Tombstone as a popular tourist attraction that welcomes tourists into western history. Many of the original buildings still stand and some have bullet holes still visible from its rough and tough days. It is still reminiscent of days past where visitors can walk the same paths of the bad boys from the 1880s.

The Boot Hill Graveyard is a popular attraction where bodies of past villains and law-abiding citizens still lie. Be sure to see the staged gunfights and barroom brawls along Allen Street that are reenacted on most Sundays during the month. There is no longer any bawdy entertainment, but the old Bird Cage Theatre is still open for tours.

The old watering hole from 1879, The Crystal Palace Saloon remains a symbol of the "Old West", retaining its 1880's integrity. The original copper ceiling, adobe walls, and beautiful replica of the massive bar awe visitors as they step back in time to the only authentic saloon still operating in Tombstone.

Be sure to visit the Tombstone Arizona Courthouse built in 1882 which is now a state historic park and museum filled with artifacts and old photographs. And witness the town gallows on display in its courtyard.

The old Tombstone Epitaph offices are now a museum where you can see the printed stories of past times. The Silver Nugget Museum also offers an insight into its past days of 24-hour drinking, gambling and brothel visits. Be sure to take the tour of the “Good Enough Silver Mine” that still lies under the streets of Tombstone.

A restored home, the Rose Tree Inn Museum, reputably boasts the largest rose tree in the world that is over 100 years old and covers an 8,000 square foot arbor. The rose tree of Tombstone blooms during April of each year.

And of course you don’t want to miss the OK Corral and its recreation of the Tombstone early years with film and onstage character animations. Walk the same paths that led to the infamous gunfight between the Earps and Clantons over 130 years ago.

Things To Do & See Around Tombstone AZ

• OK Corral: Visit the legendary site of the famous Gunfight at the OK Corral and watch reenactments of the historic showdown.
• Allen Street: Walk the historic main street lined with western shops, saloons, restaurants, museums, and costumed performers.
• Boot Hill Graveyard: Explore the famous cemetery where many victims of Tombstone's violent frontier days were buried.
• Bird Cage Theatre: Tour one of Tombstone's most famous historic buildings known for gambling, entertainment, and ghost stories.
• Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park: Discover exhibits, artifacts, photographs, and local history inside the restored courthouse.
• Crystal Palace Saloon: Step inside one of the oldest surviving saloons in Tombstone featuring classic Old West atmosphere.
• Good Enough Mine Tour: Take an underground tour into one of Tombstone's historic silver mines.
• Rose Tree Museum: See the famous massive rose tree that covers thousands of square feet in the museum courtyard.
• Gunfight Shows: Watch staged shootouts and Old West entertainment performances held throughout the town.
• Historic Stagecoach Tours: Experience Tombstone aboard authentic-style stagecoach rides through historic districts.

Best Times To Visit Tombstone Arizona

• Spring: One of the best seasons for visiting Tombstone with comfortable temperatures, blooming desert landscapes, and ideal sightseeing weather.
• Summer: Early mornings and evenings are best during warmer months, while indoor museums and saloons provide relief from the afternoon heat.
• Fall: Cooler temperatures and seasonal events make autumn an excellent time for exploring Tombstone and Southern Arizona.
• Winter: Mild winter temperatures allow for enjoyable walking tours, historic attractions, and smaller crowds compared to peak tourist seasons.

Tombstone Video

FAQ

What is Tombstone Arizona famous for?
Tombstone is famous for its Wild West history, the Gunfight at the OK Corral, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Allen Street, and preserved frontier-era attractions.

Is Tombstone Arizona worth visiting?
Yes. Tombstone is one of Arizona's most unique historic destinations offering museums, gunfight reenactments, Old West entertainment, shopping, dining, and historic landmarks.

How far is Tombstone from Tucson Arizona?
Tombstone is located about 70 miles southeast of Tucson and is commonly reached by driving Interstate 10 and Highway 80.

Can you still see the OK Corral in Tombstone?
Yes. Visitors can tour the OK Corral and watch reenactments of the famous gunfight that took place in 1881.

What are the top attractions in Tombstone AZ?
Popular attractions include Allen Street, the OK Corral, Boot Hill Graveyard, Bird Cage Theatre, Crystal Palace Saloon, Tombstone Courthouse, and historic mine tours.

When is the best time to visit Tombstone Arizona?
Spring and fall are usually the best times to visit because of comfortable temperatures and ideal weather for walking tours and outdoor attractions.

Related Tombstone Interest

Tombstone Arizona
Bird Cage Theatre
Gunfight At The OK Corral
Tombstone History

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