With its interesting history and dedicated residents, Tombstone has become an important tourist destination in the U. S. The San Pedro valley of Southern Arizona, U. S., was ruled by the Apaches and they were led by great warriors. Their animosity towards the settlers was no secret But the settlers were adventurous, defying all risks and Continued to explore the land prospecting for gold and mineral ore.
One such prospecftor was Edward Lawrence Schieffelien, from Pennsylvania, a amn of indomitable spirit. Schieffelien spent years exploring and travelled from Idaho and ultimately reached the San Pedro valley. Hiding himself from the Apaches in teh lonely desolate mountains, he starved and faced death many times over. But he continued with his quest. When he reached the San Pedro valley one of his comrades commented, " You keep fooling around out there amougst the Apaches and the only rock you will find will be you will find will be your tombstone." Turning a deaf ear to this warning Schief felien continued his search and finally fortune smiled on him. He found an entire silver lode. He decide to name his first silver claim "Tombstone" keeping in mind what his comrade had told him. Soon the town came to be known as Tombstone keeping in mind what his comrade had told him.
Soon the town came to be known as Tombstone. By 1880, Tombstone became a flourishing town, notorious for its saloons like the Crystal Palance and Big Nose Kate's and gambling houses. The Tombstone Epitah, a daily begun by John. P Clum, continues to be in business. News of the riches of Tombstone spread far and it became a place of easy target for the unscrupulous. A gang of outlaws who operated along the Mexican borders stole cattle robbed stagecoaches and ambuseed teamsters. The government decided to resolve the lawlessness and posted a police team of four, headed by Virgil Earp whose first job was to get Clanton, a member of the gang. The result was the notorious Earp-Clanton gunfight at OK Corral Today, visitors to OK Corral see life-size replicas of the fighters. A photo gallery gives you an idea of how the place was in the 1880s and Apache chief Geronimo takes the visitor through the colourful pas of Tambstone.
Everyday, the gunfight at OK Corral is enacted by the Boothhill Gunslingers. The funds raised from these shows go to charity the Tombstone Cowboys perform a comedy and their slogan is "we guarantee you'll laugh or we'll shoot you". The Six Gun City wild west show takes you through the historic events of the town. The gunfights at Allen Street are also a major touriest it of the cowboys lingers on. This is a town " Too tough to Die". Shops sell cowboy paraphernalia-stetsons, long boots leather pants. In 1882 there was a devastating fire and the estimated loss of property was more than half a million in dollars. The mines produced millions of dollars in silver and gold but had to be abandoned due to under ground water seepage in 1886. But the story ot Tombstone did not end. Through hard work and dedication the residents put it on the touriest map and today it is one of the major attractions of the U. S.