Tombstone is an historic city in Arizona, USA, founded in 1879 by a prospector Ed Schieffelin. It became one of the last boomtowns in the American frontier. The town grew significantly into the mid -1880's as the local mines produced $40 to $ 85 million in silver bullion. It was the largets productive silver district in Arizona. Its population grew from 100 to around 14,000 in less than 7 years. However, the miners who worked very long hours earnt the princly sum of $1 per day. This was not enough to rent a room in the local hotels and were required to camp. It is best known these days as the site of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Today its a tourist haven with actors in period costume who add interest to the the area.
The Main Street and it's like walking back in time.
One of the several Hotels along Main Street with an interesting story to tell.
This home was the home of the Attoney who was reported to be always drunk but seemed to win all of his cases. He also falsified the death certificate of a prisoner who had requested that he be hung quickly and that after death he did not get shot. Well the story goes it was a very cruel hanking takeing 22 minutes for him to die. So not to offend or upset those who had perpetuated this cruelity he ammended the death certificate to read " that the prisoner died fron natural causes' An interesting way to explain " lack of oxygen."
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a 30 second shoot out between lawmen and members of a loosely organized group of outlways called the Cowboys that took place at about 3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territoty. It is regarded as the most famous shootout in the history of the American Wild West. It was the result of a long simmmering feud, with Cowboys Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clayton, and Tom and frank McLaury one the one side and town Marshall Virgil Earp, Special Policeman Morgan Earp, Special Policeman Waytt Earp, and temporary policeman Doc Holliday on the other side. Billy and the brothers were killed, Ike, Billy C and Wes Fuler ran from the fight. Virgil, Morgan and Doc H were wounded, Wyatt was unharmed. The re enactment of this gun fight is central to the energy of this place.
These are the actors who participate intoadys shot out. They are the good guys.
There is the opportunity to ride in a Western Coach.
On our trip around Toombstone we saw some of the original Governement buidings.
The Bird Cage Theatre was opened December 26, 1881. It was owned by Lottie and William Hutchinson. William, a variety performer, originally intended to present respectable family shows he had seen to San Francisco that had enticed large crowds. Initially they hosted Ladies Night's for respectable women of Tombstone who could attend for free. However, this did not pay the bills so these nights were cancelled and they began offering entertainment more appealing to the rough mining crowd.
The longest poker game was played here. Those who wished to play had to pay $1K up front. Notables who played here include George Hearst, Diamond JIm Brady, Adolphus Brusch, Bat Masterson, Doc Holliday and Wayatt Earp. The game itself was played continuously 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. It continued from 1881 to 1889 for a total of 8 years. The Bird Cage retained 10% off that money. It closed in 1892.
Bird Cage Poker Table where the longest poker game was played.
Interior of the Bird Cage which shows evidence of many shoot ups.
Old Tombstone is were the Chuchwagon is located and is reputed to be a good place to eat.
More to follow.
Cheers,
Ross and Beverley
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