BOOT HILL, TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA
On the edge of Tombstone, Arizona is a turn-off from the highway up to a small hill overlooking the desert. Here is the final resting place of famous and unknown citizens of Tombstone when it was still a part of the Arizona Territory in its booming mining days. The name of this small cemetary, Boot Hill entered into the history of the American West during the late 1800’s. Even though there are other “boot hills”, places where are buried those who died “with their boots on”, this is the “Boot Hill” of legend.
Of the roughly three hundred people buried here, some remain unknown, immigrants such as Chinese who had no markers. But the markers that can be seen today by visitors give us an idea of the violent ends met by many as well as other causes of death including pneumonia.
Most tourists stop to see those killed in the famous “Gun Fight At The O.K. Corral”, the McLaury’s and the Clantons.
But there are others here whose markers bear testament to the brevity of life in this hard country.
From the vantage point of Boot Hill can be seen this vast panorama of the desert. Out there are ranches, homes, and the kind of landscape that still demands much of those who live there.
This grave marker, enclosed by a battered picket fence, has a message for all who come.
THE EARP HOUSE IN TOMBSTONE
One of the most legendary names in the history of the American West is that of the Earps. These brothers, of whom Wyatt is the best known, lived for a time in the tiny town of Tombstone, in what was then Arizona Territory.
Surviving today is the simple, 14 x 27 foot house, now restored, The Earp House and Gallery, which gives an idea of how small indeed were the first homes of settlers in the West. It is filled with memorabilia about Wyatt’s personal life as well as the events at the O.K. Corral, site of the infamous “Gunfight At the O.K. Corral” , now a part of Western myth and legend.
A sculpture of Earp stands near the little house, and not too far (nothing is “too far” in this little town, population today of about 1,500 people.) from a small section of old houses which seem to be in the process of being restored also.
This is the edge of town, and here I found some wonderful opportunities for images.
Directly in front of these weathered houses is a structure common to farms and ranches across the country, the windmill. This glorious old windmill has an ornament that speaks of the history of its location!
Tombstone’s Cowboy Church seems to provide entertainment along with spiritual comfort.
Very near here is a wonderful rusty iron “gate” marking the entrance or departure one takes to get back onto the highway out of town. And very near this, an old wagon contrasts with the sleek whiteness of a modern 21st Century vehicle heading down the road out of town.
But there is one more amazing place to visit before heading out for Bisbee~the famous resting place for not only gunfighters but others who all too often met untimely ends and now lay beneath the rockpiles of Boot Hill.
webs and threads travels 