Tombstone, Arizona
Population: 1,504
Located in Cochise County
Tombstone is located in Cochise County of southeast Arizona, 70 miles southeast of Tucson, 20 miles east of the San Pedro River and 15 miles southwest of the Dragoon Mountains. Tombstone was laid out on March 5, 1879. At that time Tombstone had 40 cabins and 100 people. Allen Streets lots sold for $5. By June 20, 1880 there were 3,000 people in the town and by late 1881 there was over 7,000 people in town and more gambling houses, saloons, and a larger "boothill" and "red light" district than any town in the southwest. Population increased rapidly from that time, and in the 1890's it had reached a maximum of 15,000. Tombstone is world renowned for its mining history and the "Gunfight at the OK Corral" in 1881, between the Earp brothers - Wyatt, Morgan and Virgil - and the Clantons, Frank and Tom McLowery. While visiting Tombstone, tourists find themselves stepping back into the past as they witness re-enactments at the OK Corral or take a stroll along the boardwalks on Allen Street where the Bird Cage Theater, Big Nose Kate's or The Crystal Palace some of Tombstone's best known saloons and tourist attractions still stand. The Bird Cage Theater, a saloon and dance hall, opened in 1881, and during its brief 9-year life, was one of the most famous saloons in the country. It was named for the 14 "bird cage" crib compartments that hang from the ceiling. These "cribs," really nothing more than small rooms, were for "ladies of the evening" who used these cribs to entertain their clients. The Theater was boarded up completely intact and stayed closed for over 50 years, until it was reopened in 1934, with everything inside preserved in its original state. Even the coin-operated juke box still works. Looking for something to do a little further afield? Come and experience Kartchner Caverns State Park. This splendid, living cave, located only 30 minutes north of Tombstone, is the best kept secret! It was discovered in 1974, but no one told the world until 1988! Still virtually pristine, this massive limestone cave has 13,000 feet of passages and two rooms as long as football fields. Finally opened as a state park November 12, 1999, this underground wilderness will remain protected while offering visitors a rare tour through multi-colored cave formations. Tombstone today has retained so many elements of the original town, and many of the homes are virtually unchanged, and many of them have been restored to their former glory. Property prices in and around Tombstone are more expensive than other areas of Southern Arizona with a double wide manufactured home selling for around $80,000. For a historical home in town, with wagon wheels and all, expect to spend around $180,000 and up. Further out from the city limits you can buy homes on homesteads for around the same amount, $180,000. There are still ranches, with no homes that will sell for less than $40,000. Tombstone is definitely a unique place, with unique stores and a way of life that incorporates the best of it all. With near perfect weather, and reasonable cost of living, Tombstone is a prime place to be.
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