Sierra Vista & Tombstone, AZ (2/17 & 18/ 2020)

Many readers seem to enjoy sunsets, so here are a few more photos from one of Sierra Vista's colorful sunsets.  I have to confess to not getting out often enough, so have missed some pretty spectacular sunsets.  I'll try to do better in the future.  These were taken at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, where the bells play just before Taps signals the end of the day.

The next day, I decided to visit the town of Tombstone, which is only about fifteen miles from Sierra Vista.  Some see Tombstone as the last Wild West town, some see it as an historic mining town, some call it a "ghost" town, while others consider it a tourist trap.  I thi nk it's a little of all those elements.

In 2003, I made my first visit to Tombstone and took in lots of the "attractions".  I've passed through the town several times since, but this was the first time I've stopped and looked around, but did not actually go into any of the shows, museums, shops, etc.

Tombstone was founded in 1879 by a prospector who struck silver.  Mines in the town are estimated to have produced $85 million in silver.  The town boomed and reached a population of 14,000.  Among its many buildings were 110 saloons, helping promote the town's reputation for wildness.  Everyone knows the story of how Wyatt Earp and brothers Virgil and Morgan, along with friend Doc Holiday, were in the famous "Gunfight At The OK Corral" in October, 1881.  (The gunfight was actually just down the street from the corral.)  Billy Clanton, Tom McLaury and Frank McLaury were killed, while Ike Clanton got away.  Later, Virgil and Morgan Earp were ambushed, causing Wyatt to go on a vendetta that resulted in several deaths.

By 1886, mines were flooding and pumping equipment was lost in a fire, leading to the fall of the town.  However, it remained the County Seat of Cochise County until the 1920s, when Bisbee took on the role.  Today, tourism is the main source of revenue for the 1300 people who live here.  Many operate businesses or work for them, mostly wearing period costumes and catering to half-million tourists each year.

Current "Wyatt Earp"

 "Big Nosed Kate", a good "friend" of Doc Holiday, ran a saloon that is still in operation today.  Lines were out the door during my visit, although I had no problem getting in back in 2003.  The Bird Cage was a venue for miners and cowboys to enjoy a show, while "polite society" attended the opera house productions.

Several historic houses remain in town.  The Allen English home was built of adobe in 1882.  English was a lawyer getting rich on the many lawsuits that were always active, plus a prospector, gambler and hard drinker.  Other original homes now serve as B & Bs or VRBOs.

There are still plenty of saloons and restaurants in town, along with the courthouse that is now a museum.

Visitors can take a trolley tour of town or ride an authentic stage coach.

And there are still plenty of signs that reflect life in this wild town.