We wandered down historic Allen Street. It was extremely touristy, but in a fun way. There were lots of opportunities to see various gunfight reenactments, but they all cost money, which we didn't feel like spending. There was even a charge to see the old gallows. But there were also lots of free opportunities to talk to people. Many of the store owners stood outside of their establishments wearing period costumes and seemed to enjoy sharing the history and stories.
Stagecoach rides were available...
... as was a trip in the old Butterfield Overland Stage.
The Victorian-style courthouse was built in 1882. Today, it contains a museum as well as a replica gallows in the courtyard.
A peak at the gallows
Montgomery and Benson's O.K. Corral was one of several stables that served Tombstone in the 1880's. It had wagon sheds, stables and stalls. It gained notoriety in a matter of seconds due to the shootout. It remained in business for many years until automobiles began to become popular. Eventually in 1907, deterioration caused part of the adobe structure to collapse, killing three horses. It continued to erode away until it was restored in 1958.
Gunmen loiter in the streets before a performance.
My guess (based on the moustaches) was that these were the Earps and Doc Holliday.
This first business in town was opened on this corner by J.B. Allen. In 1879, it was purchased and turned into a store and a bank... eventually becoming the Cochise County Bank. It was rebuilt in 1881 with adobe walls, black walnut furnishings and a time lock safe. After that it was a hardware store, a mining company, a department store, a medical clinic and now the visitor center.
Numerous shopping opportunities and fun things to do
Shoot a real gun!
Delicious tastings at the Tombstone Oil 'N' Vinegar Co.
While Curly Bill did intentionally kill a lot of men, the shooting of Town Marshal Fred White seems to be an accident. White was disarming a drunken Brocious by grabbing his pistol by the barrel when it went off. White died two days later. While being protected from a mob who wanted to lynch him, Brocius was acquitted with a verdict of accidental death.
William "Curly Bill" Brocius/possibly Bresnahan (c. 1845 - 1882) was a gunman, rustler and an outlaw in the early 1880's. He had teamed up with the Cowboys and had several conflicts with the Earps. He also participated in Morgan Earp's assassination and was eventually killed by Wyatt during a shootout.
Frederick G. White (c. 1849 - 1880) was the first town marshal of Tombstone. After his death, Virgil Earp took the position. White was likable and professional, respected by both the Earps and the Cowboys (including Brocius), in that he didn't have a personal stake in business or political rivalries. He is apparently buried here at Boothill.
A quick glimpse inside the Bird Cage Theater
Note how worn the steps are that led up to the 'ladies'.
The Oriental Saloon was opened in 1880 by Milton Joyce. It was to become one of the town's most notorious saloons because of several confrontations and shootings deaths on the front sidewalk. It burned completely in the 1881 fire but was quickly rebuilt. Fortunately it survived the fire the following year with only minor damages. When prohibition arrived here in 1914, it was converted into a drug store. Since then it has had many tenants and purposes.
A horse-riding tour
The Grand Hotel opened in 1880. It had woolen pile carpet, walnut furniture and rare oil paintings. It burned in the fire of 1882, leaving only the outer adobe wall. A new building was built, but it too was mostly destroyed in a fire in 1924. It was rebuilt yet again, keeping the original old adobe facade. ...
... It is now home to Big Nose Kate's Saloon.
Mary Katherine Horony (aka Big Nose Kate) was born in Hungary in 1850 but came over to the States with her family when she was 10-years-old. Both her parents died only three years later so she and her siblings were placed in various homes. When she was 16, she ran away and began a life of prostitution. In 1877, she met Doc Holliday and became his common-law wife. She died in 1940, a few days before her 90th birthday.
This area was also a huge center for rock hunters. Fire agate, desert roses, gold, and lots more could be found in these hills. We talked to Randy for a while, who manned a small, toursity gold-panning stand, about good local places to search for precious stones. He even gave me a free piece of turquoise!
Pretty turquoise
It was getting quite hot out but we decided to search for a nearby ghost town called Charleston. In spite of our best efforts, it remained elusive. We gave up and made our way back toward the highway. En route, we stopped at Karchner Caverns State Park, but all their camping spots were booked up.
Another border patrol check point
So we continued onto Benson, where the generous clerk at Motel 6 let us use the internet in their lobby to search for a cheap motel. Often, you can get the same room for a lot better price if you book it ahead on-line... even if you just book a few minutes before you get there! We found something cheap off the highway in Tucson. It was quite loud (with constant traffic and loud guests) and the shower wouldn't drain, but I've been in worse places.
