Tombstone, a name synonymous with the Wild West, holds a significant place in American history and folklore. This old Wild West town, located southeast of Tucson, has the Tombstone Boothill Graveyard that stands as a symbol of ruggedness and lawlessness in the 19th century in the old Wild West. This historic cemetery brings to life the tales of outlaws, lawmen, and the gritty spirit of the American frontier and mining towns. Legend has it that the Boothill Graveyard got its name from the custom of burying individuals with their boots on. Meaning violent and untimely deaths. Is this true? Stay tuned and find out.
This is Darrell and Erin on Travel With D & E. Join us as we explore The Tombstone Boothill Graveyard.
What is Tombstone Arizona and the Boothill Graveyard?
The town of Tombstone became a mining boomtown in 1879 due to Ed Schlifflin’s discovery of silver two years earlier. The town attracted lawmen, gamblers, miners, outlaws, families, preachers, immigrants, and everything else in between. But one thing that’s inevitable in a boomtown is the need for a graveyard.
That brings us to the Tombstone Boothill Graveyard. Tombstone founded the old cemetery in 1879 and used until a new Tombstone Cemetery opened in 1884. Legend has it that the Boothill Graveyard got its name from the fact that the individuals there had died unexpectedly or violently causing them to be buried in their boots. The real reason for the name comes from a writer in the 1920s who copied the name of the Pioneer Cemetery in Dodge City. They hoped the Boothill name would help tourism.
There were over 250 interments at the graveyard with possibly up to 300. When the new cemetery opened up, some families dug up their family members and moved them to the new cemetery. Records here are spotty and the grave markers deteriorated over the years.
Famous Grave Markers
So let’s now talk about some of the most famous graves in the historic site of Boothill. Few of the original grave markers remain but some of the well-known interesting graves have been replaced.
Gunfight at the O.K. Corral
The gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone was a gunfight that lasted less than a minute between lawmen led by Virgil Earp and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called the Cowboys. It occurred about 3 p. m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881.
The OK Corral is the most famous gunfight in the history of the American Old West. Virgil, Wyatt, and Morgan Earp, all brothers, and Doc Holliday, representing the lawmen, officially went to enforce a city ordinance prohibiting carrying weapons in town. Tom McLaury and Frank McLaury, buried alongside Billy Clanton and Curly Bill, were all killed by the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday during the gunfight. Tombstone buried these outlaws here at the Tombstone Boothill Graveyard.
Marshall Fred White
Marshal Fred White was the first elected Marshal of Tombstone in 1880. A group of the cowboys were drinking and shooting in the air. Marshall White started collecting guns from them. Curly Bill Brocius “accidentally” killed the Marshall when he handed his gun over barrel first.
The Bisbee Massacre
The Bisbee Massacre occurred on December 8th, 1883 when five outlaws robbed a general store in the town of Bisbee, believing the general store’s safe contained a mining payroll of $7,000. During the robbery, members of the gang killed five people including a lawman and a pregnant woman. Five men (Dan Dowd, Red Sample, Tex Howard, Bill Delaney, and Dan Kelly) were convicted of the robbery and murders and sentenced to hang. John Heath, accused of organizing the robbery, was tried separately and sentenced to life in prison. Unsatisfied with that sentence, a lynch mob forcibly removed Heath from jail and hung him from a telegraph pole on February 22, 1884.
William Claiborne – Righting a Wrong
William Claiborne was shot by Frank Leslie. Claiborne had been drinking and tried to settle a wrong with Frank Leslie. Claiborne was murdered in front of the Oriental Saloon, where Frank Leslie worked as a bartender.
The Halderman Brothers
William and Thomas Halderman were suspects in a case of cattle rustling and threatening people. Sheriff Ainsworth and the deputized Thomas Moore went to bring them in. Ainsworth and Moore were mortally wounded. The Halderman brothers were caught, hung, and buried in Boothill Graveyard.
Margarita
Margarita was stabbed by a woman called Gold Dollar. This was a fight between two dance hall girls quarreling over a man. Obviously, Gold Dollar won the fight.
Dutch Annie
Dutch Annie was a prostitute and Madam in Tombstone during the early 1880’s. People called her the “Queen of the Red Light District” but her real name is not known. Dutch Annie was known as a sweet and caring person as she would often give money to miners when they were in need.
Marshal John Gillespie
Now, John Gillespie was a marshal sent to arrest Billy Grounds and Zwing Hunt. They were the suspects in M. R. Peel’s murder. Gillespie was shot in the head and buried in the Boothill Graveyard. Current law enforcement still puts out blue wreaths on these special graves.
Haunted Graveyard?
There are reports of the Tombstone Boothill Graveyard being haunted. Travelers report spectral shadows, strange lights, and spooky sounds. In Boothill’s gift shop, merchandise is inexplicably misplaced, disturbed, and disheveled. The sweatshirt rack rotates on its own, untouched by human hands. Photographs reveal apparitions unseen to the naked eye. In our time there, we didn’t see anything.
They say Billy Clanton is the most popular poltergeist. Said to rise from his grave each night, he meanders throughout Tombstone, packing his pistol.
Fact or Fiction?
Although the Tombstone Boothill Cemetery is an authentic cemetery, some of the most remarkable memorials are fictitious. In reality, there are some unmarked graves but some of the markers were erected to promote tourism and provide playful interpretations of the American Wild West. Here are two examples.
Lester Moore is one example of a fictitious burial. Although he purportedly died in a shootout, no evidence suggests that Moore existed. No evidence indicates that Hank Dunstan existed either, despite allegedly dying in the same gunfight. Nevertheless, Moore’s marker reads, Here lies Lester Moore, four slugs from a 44, no less, no more.
George Johnson, or Geo Johnson, is another popular headstone on Boothill. Johnson may not have existed. His epitaph reads, Here lies George Johnson, hanged by mistake in 1882. “He was right, we were wrong, but we strung him up and now he’s gone”.
What to Expect on the Tombstone Boothill Cemetery?
The Tombstone Boothill Cemetery is open from 8 a.m. to 6. 30 p.m. Entrance is priced at 3 per person and children younger than 15 may tour the graveyard free of charge. It’s an easy walk. As you enter, you get a booklet and an explanation of some of the more popular graves.
Where is Tombstone and the Boothill Cemetery Located?
To get to historic Tombstone and the Boot Hill Cemetery, head east on I-10 from Tucson for 37 miles or so. Take the Highway 80 East exit at Benson, Arizona and head southeast towards Tombstone. Benson has some beautiful murals so check that out on the way. You will drive about 25 miles on Highway 80. The graveyard will be on your left before you get into Tombstone proper. Tombstone is located in Arizona’s Cochise County.
Conclusion
Exploring the Tombstone Boothill Cemetery was a lot of fun, especially when you read about the old wild west characters and their stories. It was well worth the drive from Tucson. It allows visitors to experience a town founded on mining but now focused on being an artist’s scene and tourism.
Look, if you like this content, you will want to check out all our other posts covering Tucson and its surrounding attractions, including the Saguaro National Park and the Signal Hill Petroglyphs Trail, Bisbee and the Queen Mine Tour, Mining and Historical Museum and the Lavender Pit, Tombstone with its the Old Historic Town, Benson and historic Railroad signs and murals, San Xavier Del Bac Mission Church, along with our favorite B & B throughout the whole trip which was the Hacienda Linda Bed and Breakfast.
Also, check out all our other posts covering the many fun and historical attractions we have on our site here covering Arizona Travel, along with our YouTube videos on our Epic Arizona Trip and much more on our Travel with D & E channel. Do us a favor and subscribe. Like the post, and share it with your family and friends, they will enjoy it as well.
Remember to put a comment below if you visited Tombstone or have explored the Boothill Cemetery. Let us know how you enjoyed it!
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