Tombstone History

PictureTwo 3912083, originally uploaded by Carl Chapman.

The history of Tombstone began with Edward Schieffelin, a prospector in search of silver. In March of 1877, Schieffelin decided to head off east past Fort Huachuca in search of wealth. The locals told him, he was crazy. The area he was venturing into was Apache Indian country. Everyone said he that the only thing he was going to find was his own tombstone.

Soon afterward, Schieffelin staked a silver claim. In remembrance of what the locals had predicted his future to be, Schieffelin named the mining claim "Tombstone." Then he persuaded his brother, Al and Richard Gird to come out and help him strike it rich. Right after they made camp, Schieffelin discovered silver. Ed Schieffelin's brother could not believe his brother's good fortune and responded by saying "You're a lucky cuss." Thus, Ed named the mine "Lucky Cuss", which became one of the richest mines in Arizona .

It was estimated that over $1,000,000 of silver came from the mine. The mine grew and a small town was established known as Goose Flats. Then 1879, the name was changed to Tombstone to honor the prospector, who started it all. It was in the same year, that the town was incorporated.

During Tombstone's hay-day the town was a wild place. There were a variety of saloons and gambling halls, which brought in trouble. Tombstone was one of the largest and wickedest mining towns in the west. The town grew rapidly and by 1881 the population reached 10,000. The new growth caused the naming of a new county, Cochise County. In 1883, the Cochise County Courthouse was built in Tombstone. The courthouse represented law and order and included the offices of sheriff, recorder, treasurer, and board of supervisors. The cost of the courthouse was nearly $45,000. One of the most famous events that took place in Tombstone was the gunfight at the O.K. Corral on October 26, 1881.

The shootout was over who had the power in Cochise County. The battle pitted the McLowery group and the Clanton clan, who had a sideline as cattle rustlers against the U.S. Marshall, Wyatt Earp, his brothers and Doc Holiday, a notorious gunfighter. When the dust cleared, three men from the Clanton clan were dead and two of the Earp brothers were injured. It was a fight that was known throughout the West and historians continue to argue about what really happened that day.

After $37,000,000 worth of silver had been mined and ten years of active life had passed, the mines took a turn. Water began steeping into the mineshaft. Pumps were used to get the water out, yet to no avail. The mines were flooded up to the 600-foot level and the mines were closed down. By 1886, the combination of collapsing silver prices, town fires and the flooded mines led to the town's decline. The bad news continued. In 1929, an election revealed that the county seat would be moved to Bisbee, where it remains today.

Although Tombstone began to decrease in size, it has survived. Tombstone has built its reputation and future on the phrase "The Town Too Tough To Die." It is now a popular tourist attraction with countless historic buildings and western stories.