Category Archives: Local History – Tombstone
KATIE ELDER, HER TRUE STORY by Maggie Van Ostrand.
Katie Elder was more, much more, than the title character in John Wayne’s 1965 western, “The Sons of
Katie Elder,” She was more than the portrayal by Faye Dunaway in the 1971 film “Doc.” Katie Elder was
a real person, whose background was perhaps more plaid than checkered. For one thing, there were all
those names.
Boothill Graveyard: Tombstone, AZ
Visiting Tombstone’s Boothill Graveyard is free. After all, it’s a public cemetery. But it takes considerable willpower not to stop at the gift shop on the way out and buy a souvenir. We have several. Newman (Old Man) Clanton was born in 1816 and was killed by Mexican troops in Arizona Territory on August 13, 1881, about 10 weeks before his youngest son, William (Billy) Clanton would die of wounds sustained in a blaze of gunfire on Freemont Street near the OK Corral in Tombstone; October 26, 1881. Another son, Issac (Ike) Clanton, a mean-spirited, loudmouth cowardly drunk was instrumental in fomenting that gunfight between the Earps (Virgil, Wyatt, Morgan and Doc Holliday) and 3 Cowboys (Frank & Tom McLaury & Billy Clanton). The “Old Man” was, by many accounts, a successful rancher and cattle rustler. It is unlikely he ever met the Earps or Holliday because he had moved … Continue reading
The Earp Vendetta Ride Revisited
The Earp Vendetta Ride is your chance to ride where Doc and Wyatt tracked down the men who wounded Virgil and murdered Morgan following the most famous gunfight in American history.
Continue readingEarp Vendetta Ride
The Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone was only the beginning of the murderous conflict between the Earp Brothers and their friends, and the outlaw gang known as ‘The Cowboys’. ‘The Cowboys’ were about two-dozen hard riding, hard drinking ranchers and rustlers, their hired hands and gunslingers. Most notable among them were the Clanton Brothers, Ike and Billy; the McLaury Brothers, Frank and Tom; Johnny Barnes; “Curly Bill” Brocius; Florintino Cruz, aka “Indian Charlie”; Frank Stilwell; and Johnny Ringo. … Continue reading
Gunfight At The OK Corral: A Timeline Without The Legend
A brief synopsis of the Cowboys and the Earps and a timeline of the events that led up to the Gunfight at the OK Corral.
Continue readingWyatt Earp & Doc Holliday Accused Of Murder!
Following the Gunfight at the OK Corral, Ike Clanton filed murder charges against the Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, as well as Virgil and Morgan Earp who had been wounded in the gunfight.
Continue readingThe Making of the Wyatt Earp Legend
After what became the most famous gunfight in history, Wyatt Earp went on what became known as the Earp Vendetta Ride to avenge the ambush that crippled his older brother, Virgil, and the assassination of his younger brother, Morgan, by a gang of outlaws known as “The Cowboys”.
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Tombstone: The Town Too Tough To Die Almost Did
By the 1930’s, Tombstone was dying. The mining boomtown of the 1880’s was long gone. In 1882, Tombstone residents numbered between 6,000 and 7,000. By the time these photographs were taken, the nation was deep in the Great Depression, and Tombstone was almost a ghost town.
Continue readingWorld’s Largest Rose, the Lady Banksiae
Reportedly the world’s largest single rose bush lives in Tombstone, Arizona at the Rose Tree Inn, 4th and Toughnut. Commonly called the Lady Banks, the “lady banksiae” a white rose, came from Scotland in 1885. It covers over 8000 square feet. It blooms in the early spring and is Thornless. For a fee you can view it, picnic, or get married. You can also buy a rooted stalk and take home some history. Shown here is a yellow rose, my home, not necessarily under control.
Tombstone Bordello, a Bed and Breakfast
One of the best places to stay in Tombstone, this Bed and Breakfast will please. Ten rooms with private baths, Lynda serves a full breakfast. The old bordello features a private pool, spa, English style garden and with patio with BBQ.
Continue readingBird Cage Theater – Tombstone
Bill Hunley is the manager of the Bird Cage Theater, Tombstone’s most notorious saloon, gambling hall, and house of ill-repute. It’s been in his family since the 1930′s. The Bird Cage is now a museum, but what an extraordinary museum it is. Watch the video to get a glimpse.
Continue readingTombstone – Too Tough To Die
An introduction to the real Tombstone, the town too tough to die. Tombstone is a tourist town, granted. However, the people of Tombstone are dedicated to keeping the legend alive.
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