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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.

10/15/2026

Do you know which one of these is the REAL Doc Holliday? Find out and watch.

10/13/2026

Wyatt Earp and Warren Earp were both arrested in Tombstone and found guilty for violent offenses.

In March 1881 Warren was found guilty for discharging a gun in the city limits and fined $25.

Three months later Wyatt was found guilty of fighting and disturbing the peace – the arrest made by his very own brother Virgil.

By April 1882 Wyatt and Warren fled the territory after murdering men they believed were responsible for assassinating their brother Morgan. The murder warrants were never served even though Wyatt and Warren re-entered Arizona a few years later. This record is a part of their disputed legacy.

10/11/2026

Yesterday and today in Tombstone, Arizona.

Top photo: Early automobile passes the Crystal Palace 9 years before Arizona became a state and just 23 years after the gunfight near the OK Corral.

10/09/2026

Wyatt Earp's long-time friend Bat Masterson wrote a first hand description of him after years of adventure and danger.

"Wyatt Earp is one of the few men I personally knew in the West in the early days, whom I regarded as absolutely destitute of physical fear. Wyatt Earp’s daring and apparent recklessness in time of danger is wholly characteristic; personal fear doesn’t enter into the equation."

Wyatt … "was not one of those human tigers who delighted in shedding blood just for the fun of the thing. He never, at any time in his career, resorted to the pistol excepting in cases where such a course was absolutely necessary. Wyatt could scrap with his fist, and had often taken all the fight out of bad men, as they were called, with no other weapons than those provided by Nature. There were few men in the West who could whip Wyatt in a rough and tumble fight 30 years ago, and I suspect he could give a tough youngster a hard tussle right now, even if he is sixty one years of age." (Wyatt being 60 years old at the time this was written in 1908.)

"He always arrayed himself on the side of law and order, and on a great many occasions, at the risk of his life, rendered valuable service in upholding the majesty of the law in those communities in which he lived. Wyatt’s reputation for courage and coolness was well known to many of the citizens of Dodge City—in fact it was his reputation that secured for him the appointment of Assistant City Marshall. I have known him since the early 70’s and have always found him a quiet, unassuming man, not given to brag or bluster, but at all times and under all circumstances a loyal friend and an equally dangerous enemy."

10/05/2026

DID YOU KNOW....this iconic Val Kilmer line came directly from a Tombstone newspaper published less than 24 hours after the gunfight. (Actual clipping from the original newspaper shown below.)

Do you think Val should have said the line word for word?

09/28/2026

In 1881, 34 year old William Breckenridge (pictured) was sent to collect taxes in Cochise County under sheriff Johnny Behan. While in the now nonexistent town of Gayleyville, he met up with notorious Curly Bill Brocious. 47 years later he wrote of his time with Curly in his autobiography "Helldorado: Bringing the Law to the Mesquite":

"I wanted to hire him to go with me as a deputy assessor and help me collect the taxes, as I was afraid I might be held up and my tax money taken from me if I went alone. The idea of asking the chief of all the cattle rustlers to help me collect taxes from them struck him as a good joke. He thought it over for a few moments and then laughing said 'Yes, and we will make everyone of those blank blank cow thieves pay his taxes.' Next day we started...Curly had many a hearty laugh about it. I never want to travel with a better companion that Curly... He was a remarkable shot with a pistol, and would hit a rabbit every time when it was running 30 or 40 yards away. I learned one thing about him, and that was that he would not lie to me. What he told me he believed, and his word to me was better than the oaths of some of whom were known as good citizens."

09/23/2026

WHEN WYATT EARP RAN OUT OF PATIENCE...

More than a decade after the gunfight near the OK Corral, Wyatt Earp (pictured) was deeply involved in major horse racing circuits. In 1893 his prized horse racked up a number a major wins from St. Louis to San Francisco bringing money and attention to the former fugitive lawman.

After a key victory in San Francisco he was confronted by a bookmaker who set weak odds assuring Wyatt wouldn't make much money. The bookmaker continuously harassed Wyatt about what he'd done until patience ran out. Right there at the public track Wyatt pummeled him in the face and kicked him mercilessly. As the local newspaper put it, "Wyatt Earp is not a man to be trifled with, and [the bookie] escaped as soon as he felt the grip on his collar loosened."

At 45 years old, Wyatt had not lost his nerve.

(Photograph: Wyatt Earp; Nome, Alaska from John Clum Papers, University of Arizona Special Collections)

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?

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Tombstone, AZ
85638

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