Arizona - Tombstone, Welcome Sign

Welcome to Tombstone and Boothill Graveyard

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough To Die"
Approaching from the west the visitor is greeted by this sign.  It names several of the early west's bad men who "died with their boots on," and are buried in Boothill along with other good law abiding citizens.  Boothill Graveyard is visited by thousands of tourists at all seasons of the year.

Kadachrome by Hughart
unused

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Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury, and Billy Clanton, killed in the O.K. Corral shootout, are buried in the town's Boot Hill cemetery. "Boot Hill" refers to the number of men who died with their boots on. Among a number of pioneer Boot Hill cemeteries in the Old West, Boot Hill in Tombstone is among the most well-known. Marshal Fred White, killed by Curly Bill Brocius, is also among the approximately 300 people buried there.

Among the most well-known markers belongs to Lester Moore. He was a Wells, Fargo & Co. station agent in the Mexican border town of Naco, Arizona Territory. One afternoon Hank Dunstan appeared to claim a package due him. When he got it, he found it thoroughly mangled. The two men argued, and then both Moore and Dunstan drew their weapons. Dunstan got off four shots, hitting Moore in the chest with his .44 caliber revolver. Dunstan was mortally wounded with a hole through his ribs by the single shot Moore had squeezed off. Les Moore was buried in Boot Hill, and his famous tombstone epitaph remains an attraction in the cemetery:

HERE LIES LESTER MOORE, FOUR SLUGS FROM A 44, NO LES NO MORE
The cemetery is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

Arizona - Tombstone, Middle of Nowhere

Howdy From The Middle of Nowhere!
Tombstone (Arizona)
30 miles from water
2 feet from Hell!

The sender writes:
Hi, Still going strong.  We stayed here today.  Saw "Boot Hill" The place outlaws are buried.  Not to crazy about this country.  Trust all is well.  Probably cold at home (This was sent to Maine in January).  Can't seem to contact anybody on the radio.  To many mountains I guess.  From 4000 ft to 11000 ft high.
See you later

This postcard features a buzzard / vulture getting ready to pounce on a dehydrated donkey.  I'm not sure about the happy rabbit.  He looks like he's ready to pounce on the donkey too!
1962

Arizona - Tombstone, The Crystal Palace Bar Interior

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough To Die"
The Famous Crystal Palace
The oldest continuously operated bar in Arizona.  Operated 24 hours a day from 1881 until prohibition in 1914.  in the 80's and early 90's, it ran as a bar and gambling house with booths in the rear for ladies.  Through its doors have passed all the famous characters of the southwest.  Operated by Walter Lombardi who was born and raised in Tombstone, it still retains the hospitality and friendliness of the old west.

Kodachrome by Hughart

Arizona - Tombstone,The Crystal Palace Bar

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough To Die"
The Famous Crystal Palace
The oldest continuously operated bar in Arizona.  Operated 24 hours a day from 1881 until prohibition in 1914.  in the 80's and early 90's, it ran as a bar and gambling house with booths in the rear for ladies.  Through its doors have passed all the famous characters of the southwest.  Operated by Walter Lombardi who was born and raised in Tombstone, it still retains the hospitality and friendliness of the old west.

Kodachrome by Hughart

Arizona - Tombstone, Rose Bush at the Rose Tree Inn

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough To Die"
This famous Rose Bush is a white lady Banksia.  It grows from one trunk, spreads over an arbor more that 60 X 55 feet.  In a season it bears hundreds of thousands of fragrant blossoms.  One hundred and fifty people can easily be seated to dine in its shade at one time.  It is between 55 and 60 years old.  Located in the Rose Tree Inn Patio.

Kodachrome by Hughart

Arizona - Tombstone, Cochise County Court House

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough to Die"
The former Cochise County Court House, completed in 1882, was in the early days the most imposing structure in Southern Arizona.  Its large courtroom was the scene of many dramatic trials - the jail led from the courtroom to the basement, and the courtyard to the northwest was the location of several hangings.

Ansco color by Hughard

Arizona - Tombstone, Bird Cage Theatre

Bird Cage Theatre
Tombstone, Arizona

A famous theatre in a famous town, the Bird Cage was the stage for the old timers who were venturesome enough to play to an audience of miners, gun-men, rustlers and desperados in a town drenched in sin and silver.

Color Photography by Stan Davis

Arizona - Tombstone Epitaph, Newspaper Building

The Tombstone Epitaph
Tombstone, Arizona

This famous old newspaper published its first sheet in 1880 when Tombstone was a blood-drenched town dominated by gunmen, rustlers and business men who thought foremost of their quick riches.  Today, occupying an ancient adobe building which was one of the town's biggest dance halls, the Epitaph still grinds out its printed message on a cranky old Cambell press.

Color Photography by Stan Davis

Arizona - Tombstone

Union Oil Company's
Natural Color Scenes of the West

Tombstone, Arizona, was founded and named in 1879 by prospector Schieffelin who developed the first silver-gold property in this mining region.  One of the West's real tough towns, it still looks today as it did in its hey-day.

Tour the West this year with 76 Gasoline