Tombstone is small town in the southern region of Arizona. The city features old American West-themed museums and landmarks, including the O.K, Corral, Boot Hill Graveyard and "Good Enough Mine Underground Tour" -- a tour through one of Tombstone's first mine shafts. Many of the sites have been maintained or restored to the original 19th century appearance. Visitors also have access to restaurants and lodging options in Tombstone's downtown area.
Tombstone's historic Bird Cage Theater (tombstonebirdcage.com) was one of the most popular entertainment venues of the Old West. During the 19th century, this theater had a reputation for being a dangerous hangout. In an eight-year span, 26 customers were killed at the Bird Cage. The Bird Cage is rumored to be haunted. The theater offers ghost tours on Wednesday through Saturday nights; these tours offer information on documented paranormal activity at the Bird Cage. Rooms in the Bird Cage's basement level feature 1880s period furniture.
Many of Tombstone's residents in the 19th century were buried in the Boot Hill Graveyard (no website; P.O. Box 250; Tombstone, AZ 85638; 520-457-3300), located at the north end of the city. This site was founded in 1879, but discontinued its services in 1884 upon the opening the Tombstone Cemetery. Boot Hill was originally known as "City Cemetery," but it received its current moniker in 1929. One person of notoriety buried in Boot Hill is Billy Clanton, an outlaw killed in the famed O.K. Corral gunfight. Some headstones have epitaphs describing how the deceased died. The headstone of Lester Moore, a 19th century Wells Fargo agent, reads "Here lies Lester Moore. Four slugs from a 44. No Les, no more."
Located in downtown Tombstone, the Rose Tree Museum (no website; Corner of 4th and Toughnut St.; Tombstone, AZ 85638; 520-457-3326) features the largest rose tree in the world. The rose tree at this location was planted in 1886 and has grown to approximately 9,000 square feet. A series of trellises and posts support the rose tree, which is known by the locals as the "Lady of Tombstone." The indoor part of the museum has six exhibit rooms with 19th century artifacts and photographs. The Rose Tree Museum gift shop sells Old West and Tombstone-related books.
The O.K. Corral Museum (ok-corral.com) is in downtown Tombstone and was the site of the "Shootout at the O.K. Corral" in 1881. This gunfight pitted the Earp Brothers and Doc Holliday against the Clancys and McLaurys. Life-size figures of the Earps, Doc Holliday, the Clancys and McLaurys are in the Corral area; the figures are on the exact spots where these men were standing during the shootout. The O.K. Corral Museum features the C.S. Fly Photo Gallery, which has authentic photographs of 19th century Tombstone and the Native American warrior, Geronimo.
One of the oldest newspapers in the Old West was the Tombstone Epitaph (tombstoneepitaph.com), founded in 1880. Although it is no longer a running syndicate, the Epitaph offers a monthly edition which features Old West stories and legends. The site of the Tombstone Epitaph is open to the public for tours. This museum features the original press used for printing newspapers, 19th century composing stones and antique furniture.
