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Tombstone in Cochise County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
 

Tombstone, Arizona

"The Town Too Tough To Die"

 
 
Tombstone, Arizona Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011
1. Tombstone, Arizona Marker
Inscription. In 1877 prospector Ed Schieffelin searched for silver in Apache land. He was told he would only find his own tombstone. Schieffelin ignored the advice. The result was a strike worth at least forty million dollars.

This brought not only miners and businessmen, but gamblers, prostitutes and gunmen to the new town. The most famous gunfight in western history occurred at the OK Corral, October 26, 1881, when the Earps shot it out with the Clantons and the McLaurys.

In 1882 the mines flooded and huge steam pumps were installed. A fire in 1886 destroyed the pumps and operations ceased. In 1901 the mines reopened but boiler problems and flooding again closed the mines.

In 1929 the county seat moved to Bisbee. Tombstone's future was uncertain, but a group of determined citizens coined the phrase “the town too tough to die” and invited the public to come celebrate the town's rowdy past. Tombstone continues to live off a unique and violent past.
 
Erected 1995 by Lost Dutchman chapter 5917 E Clampus Vitus.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers.
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In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 26, 1910.
 
Location. 31° 42.702′ N, 110° 3.876′ W. Marker is in Tombstone, Arizona, in Cochise County. It is on Allen Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 611 East Allen Street, 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Bird Cage Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Bird Cage Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Curly Bill Brocius Killed Marshal Fred White Here (within shouting distance of this marker); M. Calisher General Store (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Wells Fargo & Company
Tombstone, Arizona Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011
2. Tombstone, Arizona Marker
(about 300 feet away); Tombstone Engine Co. No. 1 (about 400 feet away); Home & Office of Wm. Herring (about 500 feet away); The Oriental Saloon (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tombstone.
 
More about this marker. This marker was previously located at the west end of Allen Street. It has been moved to this location at the east end of Allen Street near the public works building.
 
Also see . . .  The City of Tombstone, Arizona. The city website offers a history of the town. (Submitted on August 7, 2010.) 
 
Edward Schieffelin Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 19, 2010
3. Edward Schieffelin Monument
Monument is 2 miles west of town on Allen Street.
Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 19, 2010
4. Boothill Graveyard, Tombstone
Tombstone Courthouse image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, February 19, 2010
5. Tombstone Courthouse
Tombstone Buildings - Allen Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 17, 2011
6. Tombstone Buildings - Allen Street
This is the north side of Allen Street just west of 4th Street.
Tombstone Buildings - Allen Street image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Frederick D. Nichols, Photographer, November 1937
7. Tombstone Buildings - Allen Street
Historic American Buildings Survey
HABS ARIZ,2-TOMB,14-1
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2010, by Frank Houdek of Kingman, Arizona. This page has been viewed 5,365 times since then and 44 times this year. Last updated on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.   3, 4, 5. submitted on August 8, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.   6. submitted on October 19, 2011, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona.   7. submitted on August 7, 2010. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 7, 2026