Tombstone in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
The Oriental Saloon
1880
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011
1. The Oriental Saloon Marker
Inscription.
The Oriental Saloon was opened in 1880 by Milton Joyce with the gaming concessions run by Lou Rickenbaugh. The Epitaph News described it as "the most elegantly furnished saloon this side of the Golden Gate". Wyatt Earp bought a share of the gaming tables. The Oriental became one of Tombstone's most notorious saloons due to several shooting deaths on the front walk. It was also the scene of confrontations, one involving gunfire, between Milt Joyce and Doc Holliday and later with Virgil Earp. The Oriental burned in the 1881 fire with the conflagration spreading so quickly Joyce was unable to save anything. The building owners, Vizina and Cook, rebuilt quickly and the Oriental re-opened for business as usual. Once again, the Oriental was threatened in the 1882 fire, but the fireman made a stand there and by keeping a steady stream of water on the building were able to keep the damages minor. Joyce left Tombstone in 1884. When state prohibition came to Tombstone in 1914 the Oriental became a drug store and remained so for a number of years. Since then it has had many tenants and purposes but still stands in it original historic location.
The Oriental Saloon was opened in 1880 by Milton Joyce with the gaming concessions run by Lou Rickenbaugh. The Epitaph News described it as "the most elegantly furnished saloon this side of the Golden Gate". Wyatt Earp bought a share of the gaming tables. The Oriental became one of Tombstone's most notorious saloons due to several shooting deaths on the front walk. It was also the scene of confrontations, one involving gunfire, between Milt Joyce and Doc Holliday and later with Virgil Earp. The Oriental burned in the 1881 fire with the conflagration spreading so quickly Joyce was unable to save anything. The building owners, Vizina and Cook, rebuilt quickly and the Oriental re-opened for business as usual. Once again, the Oriental was threatened in the 1882 fire, but the fireman made a stand there and by keeping a steady stream of water on the building were able to keep the damages minor. Joyce left Tombstone in 1884. When state prohibition came to Tombstone in 1914 the Oriental became a drug store and remained so for a number of years. Since then it has had many tenants and purposes but still stands in it original historic
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location.
Erected 2008 by Tombstone Restoration Commission. (Marker Number 27.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.
Location. 31° 42.742′ N, 110° 3.952′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is at the intersection of East Allen Street and South 5th Street, on the left when traveling east on East Allen Street. Marker is on the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tombstone AZ 85638, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Sky Islands and in Southeastern Arizona. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also the Gadsden Purchase.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 8,643 times since then and 657 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
