Tombstone Arizona

Home
United States
Tombstone, AZ
Tombstone Arizona

Sharing true history of Tombstone, Arizona from primary resources, not fictionalized folklore. The largest Tombstone related page on social media.

The only Tombstone page dedicated to factual history and busting myths.

08/29/2026

The famous silver cup that Val Kilmer used in his portrayal of Doc Holliday sold for $119,700. This collapsible cup is one of two made for use in the movie, and was sold with a letter of provenance from the Assistant Property Master. Interestingly, Val had maintained that he kept one in his personal possession until his death in April 2025.

Head to the comments to see more detailed photographs, and tag a fellow Tombstone fan.

08/28/2026

Wyatt Earp was not a celebrity when he arrived in Tombstone, Arizona. But he made an impression on John Clum – the town's mayor and editor of the influential "Tombstone Epitaph" newspaper. Clum recalled meeting Wyatt 50 years later...

"Above six feet in height, well proportioned, erect, hair a bit long but neatly kept, a royal mustache, a broad hat and a frock coat - I still have a clear vision of that dignified figure walking calmly along Allen Street."

"Wyatt's manner, though friendly, suggested a quiet reserve. His facial features were strong, positive and pleasing. His habitual expression was serious, with a gracious smile when the occasion warranted it - but his mirth was never boisterous...as my own was apt to be. In fact, about the time I was elected mayor of Tombstone, Wyatt was quite my ideal of the strong, manly, serious and capable peace officer - equally unperturbed whether he was anticipating a meeting with a friend or a foe."

08/25/2026

This rare original photograph shows the interior of the famed Crystal Palace Saloon, built in 1882. While the modern bar itself is not the original, it's a masterful 1960s replica of the one seen here.

Head to the comments to see what the bar looked like before the replica was installed. Which bar do you prefer?

08/20/2026

Virgil Earp's wife, Allie was the last living member of the family present during the gunfight near the OK Corral. Before she died in 1947 she remembered a bitter but humorous Doc Holliday...

"Doc Holliday was Wyatt's favorite crony. He was tall and skinny, with blond hair, cold gray-blue eyes, and a pasty white face. I never could stand him and he didn't have any use for me neither. Wyatt kind of casually introduced him to us as a dentist. Right away I said, 'How'd you like to yank out a loose tooth of mine?' He gave me a nasty look and said, 'Keep your baby teeth in your mouth where they belong. I've got no use for them.' Wyatt roared like it was a big joke. Afterward when I found out what Doc really was, I had to admit it was a joke on me."

08/17/2026

Good evening LIVE from historic Tombstone.

08/14/2026

Doc Holliday was born on this day in 1851 in Griffin, Georgia. Here are five facts about his life you probably didn't know...

1) After leaving Tombstone, Doc was the President of a political group in Leadville, Colorado called the Lake County Independent Club. Among the 123 members was Johnny Tyler - Doc's famed nemesis personified in the movie "Tombstone".

2) Doc was a member of an anti-drinking organization in Dallas, Texas. Imagine Doc fighting to keep people from drinking.

3) Doc never practiced dentistry in Tombstone, Arizona, but he still declared himself a dentist in the county voting registry just days after the "OK Corral" gunfight.

4) At a young age, Doc's hair turned gray. Among many descriptions that agree, one journalist who met him in 1882 noted "his iron gray hair is always well combed and oiled... and he always prides himself on keeping scrupulously neat and clean.”

5) For the last two weeks of his life, Doc was in and out of a coma. For the last 24 hours, he did not speak, and he died nearly penniless among strangers attending to him in Hotel Glenwood in Colorado. His burial was paid for by a group of locals.

07/29/2026

This is what Tombstone and the real people looked like when Wyatt Earp walked the streets in spring of 1880. How does this compare to the movies? No lingerie style women’s clothing portrayed today, or ri**es slung over men’s shoulders. Would you go back in time to visit?

07/27/2026

DID YOU KNOW....

Within five years of leaving Tombstone, Arizona, Virgil Earp (despite the use of one arm) started EARP'S DETECTIVE AGENCY in Colton, California. The LA Examiner newspaper called it "one of the principal businesses" of that city.

This original letterhead bearing Virgil's name as the "manager-in-chief" at the top and his signature at the bottom sold at auction in 2021 for more than $19,000. The rare photo of Virgil in this post also sold at the same auction for more than $10,000.

This wasn't the only business Virgil attempted to open in the area. He also opened variety theater called the Bijou and even hired a former Bird Cage performer to headline.

07/25/2026

Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and their vendetta posse fled Arizona after leaving a trail of Cowboy associates dead in April, 1882. Weeks later, some of the posse would rendezvous in Gunnison, Colorado (pictured). One local police officer there recalled seeing them...

"The bunch was well heeled and went armed. Earp was a fine looking man, tall with a drooping mustache that curled at the ends. He was quiet in manner and never created a bit of trouble here, in fact, he told us boys on the police force we should call on him if we needed help at any time. He was a dead shot, I guess, always wore two guns high up under his arms, but he never used them here. Doc Holliday was the only one of the gang that seemed to drink much, and the minute he got [drunk], the others promptly took him in charge and he just disappeared."

07/23/2026

Three men were killed in the gunfight near the OK Corral. Since the day their bodies were displayed and photographed near Sixth and Allen (seen here) debate has raged over the tragedy.

Was it avoidable?

Were they all armed?

Who fired first?

Was the town's gun law fair at all?

These controversial questions have renewed interest and debate. 100 years after the gunfight, researcher Al Turner published eye witness testimony from dozens of people who were there that day in a book called "The O.K. Corral inquest". Since publication in 1981 it has provided new perspectives, questions and answers that have kept the debate and analysis on edge.

Address

Tombstone, AZ
85638

Website

https://birdcagebook.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Tombstone Arizona posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Want your organization to be the top-listed Government Service in Tombstone?