Tombstone is a historic city in Cochise County, Arizona, United States, founded in 1877 by prospector Ed Schieffel in what was then Pima County, Arizona Territory. It became one of the last boom towns in the American frontier.
The town became famous worldwide because of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral which was a 30-second shootout between lawmen and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called "the Cowboys" that took place at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881. It is generally regarded as the most famous shootout in the history of the American Wild West. The gunfight was the result of a long-simmering feud, with Cowboys Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury on one side and Town Marshall Virgil Earp, Special Policeman Morgan Earp, Special Policeman Wyatt Earp, and temporary policeman Doc Holliday on the other side. Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers were killed.
When you visit the charming town, you must see the OK Coral, Boothill Cemetery which is on the outskirts of town, the County Courthouse, the Bird Cage Theatre, and the Oriental Saloon. Most of these locations charge a nominal fee to enter.
Our experience: Although the drive was a little long, if you plan an Arizona Trip, we would highly encourage you to include Toombstone on your to-do list. The town is certainly a tourist location but the cost for food, drink, and amenities was more reasonable than most other tourist locations in the world. The town people were very nice and overall, it was an incredible trip back in time.
Town location and contact:
Tombstone is located in Cochise County in southeast Arizona, 70 miles southeast of Tucson, 20 miles east of the San Pedro River and 15 miles southwest of the Dragoon Mountains. Please understand this is an old western town and as a result, it is not near any modern Arizona Cities. We traveled from Phoenix to Toombstone and it was nearly a 3-hour drive.
Phone: (520) 457-3884
The OK Coral
Boothill Cemetery
The Toombstone Courthouse
Birdcage Theatre
The Oriental Saloon
