Chances are, you probably wouldn’t expect the words “tombstone” and “charming” to go together, but when we’re talking about the historic Old West town of Tombstone, Arizona, that’s not the case. Founded by prospectors in the 1870s, the city boomed in the following decade along with its silver mines, and eventually left behind a lasting American legacy. If you’re curious to learn more, check out these three must-see attractions in Tombstone.
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- The O.K. Corral
Jessica Spengler/Flickr
Deanna Keahey/Flickr If you’re already familiar with Tombstone from your history class (or one of the multiple Hollywood blockbusters set there), it’s probably because of the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Even though it only lasted 30 seconds, the 1881 gunfight between the Earp lawmen and the Cowboys gang became one of the enduring legends of the Wild West. Visit the site of The O.K. Corral to watch reenactments, check out artifacts from the 1880s, and learn the backstory behind this incredible event. 326 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
- The Bird Cage Theatre
RE Hawkins/Wikipedia
Marine 69-71/Wikipedia The Bird Cage operated 24/7 for most of the 1880s, providing the mining town with variety shows along with slightly less reputable entertainment like booze, gambling, prostitution, and the occasional gunfight. The Bird Cage is said to be haunted these days, and there are nightly ghost tours for families and adults if you’re feeling brave. 535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
- Boothill Graveyard
Gabriel Millos/Flickr
Haydn Blackey/Flickr Boothill Graveyard was the city cemetery during the prime years of Tombstone. Although it fell into disuse before the turn of the century, it was restored in the 1920s and contains the graves of citizens who died in the 1880s, including some of the O.K. Corral gunfight victims. Visit to see the final resting place of the miners, outlaws, and regular townfolk that made up Tombstone nearly 150 years ago. 408 AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
With its mining economy, saloon-style entertainment, and brutal sense of justice, Tombstone, Arizona was a prototypical Old West town – and through these three historic attractions, we’re able to see how its legacy has endured. There’s a reason its slogan is “The Town Too Tough To Die.”
evenfh/Getty Images/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Jessica Spengler/Flickr
Deanna Keahey/Flickr
If you’re already familiar with Tombstone from your history class (or one of the multiple Hollywood blockbusters set there), it’s probably because of the shootout at the O.K. Corral. Even though it only lasted 30 seconds, the 1881 gunfight between the Earp lawmen and the Cowboys gang became one of the enduring legends of the Wild West. Visit the site of The O.K. Corral to watch reenactments, check out artifacts from the 1880s, and learn the backstory behind this incredible event.
326 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
RE Hawkins/Wikipedia
Marine 69-71/Wikipedia
The Bird Cage operated 24/7 for most of the 1880s, providing the mining town with variety shows along with slightly less reputable entertainment like booze, gambling, prostitution, and the occasional gunfight. The Bird Cage is said to be haunted these days, and there are nightly ghost tours for families and adults if you’re feeling brave.
535 E Allen St, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
Gabriel Millos/Flickr
Haydn Blackey/Flickr
Boothill Graveyard was the city cemetery during the prime years of Tombstone. Although it fell into disuse before the turn of the century, it was restored in the 1920s and contains the graves of citizens who died in the 1880s, including some of the O.K. Corral gunfight victims. Visit to see the final resting place of the miners, outlaws, and regular townfolk that made up Tombstone nearly 150 years ago.
408 AZ-80, Tombstone, AZ 85638, USA
If you’ve visited Tombstone, leave a comment with your favorite attraction! And if you want to learn more about the Old West, check out this article on Arizona ghost towns.
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