Tombstone, AZ

Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ

As I said, last weekend I took a trip to the legendary gunslinger town of Tombstone, AZ. Far from my first visit to the town, I had the opportunity to see it again after having lived away for the last two years. Many of the original buildings from the 19th century still stand today, and so much of Tombstone seems lost in the past. Needless to say, Tombstone, the infamous 19th century gold rush city where Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday had the famous gunfight, is today a popular tourist attraction, sporting a collection of Western-themed gift shops, art galleries, restaurants, and buildings preserved and reserved for tours. In fact, one of the town's museums is Wyatt Earp's old house devoted completely to--who else?--Wyatt Earp.

Old West Books on Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ

Allen Street and distant desert, Tombstone, AZ

Allen Street is the main commercial artery of the city of Tombstone. This is the street where so many of the famous saloons and theaters used to be located.

Town and desert, Tombstone, AZ

Immediately on the outskirts of town is the beautiful Sonoran Desert. I should have taken some photos of Boot Hill, the famous cemetery where so many historical figures lie in peace, and which has some incredible views of the desert.

Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ

Modern-day "cowboys," Tombstone, AZ

To keep up with the town's Old Western heritage, locals stage daily gunfights for tourists, including the famous gunfight at the OK Corral involving Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. While I didn't stay to watch the staged gunfight this time around, I have seen it in the past. I like to say that there are two types of American Western sensibilities, one centered on the history of the Old West and cowboys and country-western music and clothing, and the other is the hippie, granola, new age New West. Even though I enjoy the history and some country-western music, I confess that I identify more with the latter than with the former. Still, it is cool to visit places like Tombstone from time to time and see reenactments of Old Western history.

Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, AZ

This is the original Bird Cage Theatre from Wyatt Earp days. Much of the interior has been preserved and has period furniture.

Bird Cage Theatre, front interior, Tombstone, AZ

The photo above and the one below are of the front lobby area, including a saloon-style bar.

Bird Cage Theatre, front interior, Tombstone, AZ

The next three photos are of the back interior of the Bird Cage Theatre, including the theater gallery itself, but I took these about six years ago. I didn't go in for the full tour last weekend, and so I wanted to add these three photos to give people a fuller idea of what's contained inside the Bird Cage Theatre.

Bordello inside Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, AZ

Bordello inside Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, AZ

Bird Cage Theatre, interior gallery, Tombstone, AZ

Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ

Stage coach on Allen Street, Tombstone, AZ

I like this photo with the stage coach rolling down Allen Street. You can almost imagine what it might have been like over a century ago.

Old courthouse, Tombstone, AZ

Yes, this is the old courthouse, which now serves as a great museum, both of the courthouse during bygone days and of Tombstone in general. Fantastic period furnishings and, if I recall correctly, great old photographs of Tombstone residents from yesteryear. Tombstone is a great experience. If ever you make it to southern Arizona, you should take a trip to Tombstone, AZ.