Tombstone is a unique spot in Arizona that preserves the history of the American Old West as one of the last frontier boomtowns in the region. Like many of the boomtowns of the Old West, Tombstone almost suffered the fate of a ghost town, but it lives on as a tourist destination in western Cochise County.
Founding Tombstone
Tombstone was founded as a mining town, which was positioned over the Tough Nut Mine, which produced between $40 million and $85 million in silver bullion during its peak. The town was founded in 1881 by Ed Schieffelin, who took the name from the advice of a fellow army scout who noted that “the only rock you find out there will be your own tombstone” upon hearing that Schieffelin was looking for ore samples in the area. The town grew from about 100 to 14,000 residents in the span of just 7 years, and it took on an impressive reputation during that time.
Notable Sites
While some of the original structures of Tombstone were damaged in a fire that took place near the turn of the century, there are still many unique sites within the town. In its heyday, Tombstone boasted 14 gambling halls, 110 saloons, 3 newspapers, a bowling alley, 4 churches, and 2 banks. The Bird Cage Theatre was also a fixture of the town dubbed as the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and Barbary Coast.
Tourism in Tombstone
The unique historic buildings and Old West history of Tombstone draw about 450,000 visitors per year. Unlike the Tombstone of the old west, the town now has few businesses that are open late, and much of the area’s activity takes place during the day. The biggest attraction that the town has to offer is its daily reenactment of the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which took place in March of 1882.
This article is part of a series on Arizona’s Amazing Roadside Attractions
