Monday, September 26, 2011

Tombstone, Arizona

Tombstone, Arizona
"The Town Too Tough to Die"
The former Cochise County Court House, completed in 1882, was in the early days the most imposing structure in Southern Arizona.  Its large courtroom was the scene of many dramatic trials - the jail led from the courtroom to the basement, and the courtyard to the northwest was the location of several hangings.

Ansco color by Hughard
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 Tombstone, Arizona

"The Town Too Tough To Die"
The Famous Crystal Palace
The oldest continuously operated bar in Arizona.  Operated 24 hours a day from 1881 until prohibition in 1914.  in the 80's and early 90's, it ran as a bar and gambling house with booths in the rear for ladies.  Through its doors have passed all the famous characters of the southwest.  Operated by Walter Lombardi who was born and raised in Tombstone, it still retains the hospitality and friendliness of the old west.

Kodachrome by Hughart
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Welcome to Tombstone and Boothill Graveyard
Approaching from the west the visitor is greeted by this sign.  It names several of the early west's bad men who "died with their boots on," and are buried in Boothill along with other good law abiding citizens.  Boothill Graveyard is visited by thousands of tourists at all seasons of the year.

Kadachrome by Hughart
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Tom McLaury, Frank McLaury, and Billy Clanton, killed in the O.K. Corral shootout, are buried in the town's Boot Hill cemetery. "Boot Hill" refers to the number of men who died with their boots on. Among a number of pioneer Boot Hill cemeteries in the Old West, Boot Hill in Tombstone is among the most well-known. Marshal Fred White, killed by Curly Bill Brocius, is also among the approximately 300 people buried there.

Among the most well-known markers belongs to Lester Moore. He was a Wells, Fargo & Co. station agent in the Mexican border town of Naco, Arizona Territory. One afternoon Hank Dunstan appeared to claim a package due him. When he got it, he found it thoroughly mangled. The two men argued, and then both Moore and Dunstan drew their weapons. Dunstan got off four shots, hitting Moore in the chest with his .44 caliber revolver. Dunstan was mortally wounded with a hole through his ribs by the single shot Moore had squeezed off. Les Moore was buried in Boot Hill, and his famous tombstone epitaph remains an attraction in the cemetery:

HERE LIES LESTER MOORE, FOUR SLUGS FROM A 44, NO LES NO MORE
The cemetery is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.

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