In February of 1878, Ed Schieffelin found a rich vein of silver in the hills of Arizona Territory. He had been told, "If you go into those hills, all you will find is your tombstone." This was said due to the fact that the Apaches warriors controlled the area. He named his claim
the Tombstone. A town grew up around the hills. Between 1880 and 1886, $40 million was pulled out of the hills around Tombstone. In its heyday, Tombstone had 15,000 people.
There are lots of remaining building from the 1880's in Tombstone, iluding a courthouse, city hall, fire station, opera, newspaper (Epitaph), many other buildings and, of course, The O.K. Coral.
To get to Tombstone, take I-10 exit 303 or 304 (Highway 80 south). Take Highway 80 south for about 25 miles. Tombstone is on the highway. When you get into town, legendary Allen Street is one block to your left. The roads are paved and suitable for passenger vehicles.
Marshall Virgil Earp, his brother Wyatt, his brother Morgan and friend Doc Holiday, had some growing tensions with a group of rowdy, and most of the time drunken, cowboys. In this group was Tom and Frank McLowrey and Billy and Ike Clanton. On October 26, 1881, it erupted into a gunfight at the O.K. Coral. When it was all over, this was the aftermath. Tom and Frank McLowrey were killed in the gunfight. Billy Clanton died of his wound within 30 minutes. His wounded brother Ike fled the scene. Morgan Earp was hit in both shoulders and his brother Marshall Virgil Earp was hit in the leg. They both recovered. Brother Wyatt and friend Doc Holiday didn't have a scratch on them.
For more information on the Clanton Gang, see the "Legend of buried treasure at Sketeton Canyon (access from home page or Arizona page).
