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• General Information

  Tombstone is a city located in Cochise County, Arizona. It was founded by Edward Schieffelin in 1879, and is most commonly known for it's old west history. Today, Tombstone relies on tourism through promotion of the town's history.

• History

  Tombstone was founded by prospector Ed Schieffelin in the summer of 1877. Schieffelin had previously mentioned to a fellow prospector that he was going to try to strike a silver vein out in the desert area around what is now Tombstone. In response, the prospector said to him that "all you'll find out there is your Tombstone." When Schieffelin struck silver, he filed his mining claim as "The Tombstone."

  Soon, Tombstone grew significantly in size, becoming a major boom town. Tombstone flourished with a population of over 5000 by 1881, and included amenities not commonly found in areas like Tombstone, such as refrigeration (this provided for eventual ice skating and ice cream making), a full telegraph service, and even running water.

  One of the keys to Tombstone's success was it's labor force, comprising mainly of immigrants from Ireland, Germany and China. This labor force allowed for Tombstone to have it's luxurious amenities.

  But behind Tombstone's facade of luxury was a much wilder side. Tombstone lacked communication with the outside world due to the lack of a railway. As a result, gangs of men came together and wreaked havoc in the lawless town. Tombstone became one of the most dangerous places in the frontier, especially with the gang known as the "cowboys."

  One of the things that Tombstone is most famous for is the gunfight at the OK Corral. This involved famous lawman Wyatt Earp, his brothers (Morgan and Virgil), and his friend Doc Holliday. The four had a showdown in a lumber yard near the OK Corral, resulting in numerous deaths. However, none of the Earp brothers- or Doc Holliday- died in the fight. However, all of them were injured except for Wyatt.

  Tombstone later experienced a series of fires, mainly due to a lack of water and unprotected wooden construction. The town, however, recovered.

  Today, Tombstone is a small town which takes great pride in it's history. It's a popular destination for old west enthusiasts and tourists alike, as the town has up-kept it's historic district, and most of it's citizens take enjoyment in dressing, and from a reenactment case, acting like people did in the late 19th Century. It's a fully-operating Old West town; the last of it's kind.

• Famous Residents

  • - Wyatt Earp
  • - Doc Holliday
  • - Virgil Earp
  • - Morgan Earp
  • - Ed Schieffelin

• Places of Interest

  • - The Crystal Palace Saloon
  • - OK Corral
  • - Ed Schieffelin Monument
  • - Boothill Cemetary
  • - Nellie Cashman's Restaurant
  • - Toughnut Mine
  • - "Good Enough" Mine
  • - World's Largest Rosebush

• Fast Facts

  1. Country: Cochise County
  2. Population: 1,562 (2009 Census)
  3. State/Province: Arizona
  4. Founded: 1879
  5. Area Code: 85638
  6. Time Zone: MST
  7. Nickname: "The Town too Tough to Die"
  8. Average Climate: 63.5°F (17.5°C)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Tombstone Deals | Arizona | Phoenix | Phoenix Vacation | University of Arizona | Arizona Cardinals

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