Part 2—Click HERE for Part 1
Local historians say that although the town is famous for the OK Corral, it was never the wild place legend had made it out to be. On the contrary, it was modern, sophisticated, and extremely wealthy.
Telephones were installed in 1882. The next year, the city had two gas companies, three water companies, two ice companies, and five ice cream parlors. Fresh seafood was delivered daily from Baja, Mexico. The mining camp became a metropolis that rivaled San Francisco.
In February 1881, Tombstone was designated the County Seat for the newly created Cochise County. The Cochise County Courthouse was built using 50,000 bricks. Today, the Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park serves as a museum with displays about the silver mines and the people of Tombstone.
More Legends
Boothill Cemetery, about a mile from the main historical area, was Tombstone’s third graveyard. It was full by 1884 when the current City Cemetery was created. It is estimated that between 250 and 440 people are buried at Boothill. Outlaws and respected citizens share this hallowed ground, which is open to visitors daily. Among the graves are three of the “cowboys” killed at OK Corral: Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury.
A visit here isn’t complete without a visit to Goodenough Silver Mine. Goodenough Silver Mine.
After putting on a hard hat, guides explain silver mining before taking small groups into the mine, where guests can still see streaks of silver in the cave-like walls. The process had to be carried out by candlelight. Men often worked together to conserve the allotted candles’ lives – one man holding a chisel and the other man hammering the chisel into the hard rock.
Although several hundred silver mines existed in and around Tombstone, few were successful. However, Goodenough was very prosperous.
Another must-see is The Bird Cage Theatre. Opening in 1881, the “New York Times” reported. “The Bird Cage Theatre is the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.”
For eight years, the theater operated 24 hours a day. It is rumored that 26 people died in the Bird Cage, and more than 140 bullet holes remain in the building.
The owners shut the doors and left everything in the theatre when it closed, creating a time capsule and an excellent first-hand look at the city’s past.
So, what happened to Tombstone’s silver mining operation?
At first, mining was done toward the surface, but as the mines went deeper, the shafts reached the water table in 1881. So, miners brought in two massive Cornish pumps. They were pumping 2,500,000 gallons of water out of the mines at their peak capacity.
Tombstone’s prosperity would also fluctuate with the national economy and the price of silver.
In 1889, mining operations virtually ceased after the pumps failed and the price of silver fell.
In 1902, E.B. Gage reopened the mines. This second mining boom would last longer. From 1902-1923 the railroad came to Tombstone. Once again, the city became a national and international sensation.
By 1923, the mines would close on a corporate level forever. Tombstone became a sleepy town in the high Sonoran desert, but it was never deserted.
Books, comics, and Hollywood brought Tombstone back into the public eye, including the 1993 movie “Tombstone and the 1994 movie “Wyatt Earp.
As the locals say, it’s “the town too tough to die.”
If you go:
In addition to the attractions, there are excellent restaurants, including Crystal Palace Saloon and Longhorn Restaurant.
There’s great shopping too. Check out Tombstone Antique Mall. Next door to the antique mall is The Wizard’s Workshop, where Kathy Paonessa creates and makes beautiful jewelry from natural stone at prices that fit all budgets.
Click here for more information.
