Tombstone, Arizona

We went to the town of Tombstone, Arizona yesterday. It is known as "The Town Too Tough to Die." It was a booming mining town in the late 1800's. Days of lawlessness and violence, which nearly had then-President Chester A. Arthur declaring martial law in Tombstone and sending in military troops to restore order, climaxed with the infamous Earp-Clanton battle, fought near the rear entrance of the O.K. Corral, on October 26, 1881.

The historic downtown area of Tombstone is well preserved, with most of the original buildings still standing. The "Gunfight at the OK Corral" is re-enacted a few times a day and miners, cowboys and gunslingers roam the streets. We enjoyed the authentic old west feel.



The Tombstone Cemetery - known as Boothill - is evidence of the violent lifestyle so many of Tombstone's residents lived. Among the average citizens, the graveyard is filled with victims of shootings, bar fights, murders, lynchings, etc. It was interesting, but kind of sad too.



But Tombstone was not without beauty. Tombstone is home to the world's largest rosebush. It is a white Lady Banksia. The original root came from Scotland in 1885, a gift to a new bride so she could have a spot of beauty in the rugged town. The rosebush has never been fertilized or sprayed with any insecticides and it now covers an area of more than 8600 square feet. It is just beginning its spring bloom and is absolutely covered with buds. I can imagine how incredible it must be when in full bloom.