Advertisement
Published: March 29th 2010
Edit Blog Post
Jolly Trolly in Tombstone
Reminds me of the one in Key West. Paul thinks Tombstone is the "Key West of the West" - crazy run-a-ways. Tombstone Silver and Gold?
Or
“Girl, you’re sitting on a Gold Mine”
Tombstone; known for silver mines, gunfights and outlaws, is a must if you are visiting the Southwest. It is reminiscent of a cowboy Williamsburg (Anyone from the east will recognize what I am talking about). Folks are walking about in period regalia; black dusters with double holsters, bustier, scarf wrapped hips with feathered boas. Gunfights in the streets and stagecoaches abound.
We stayed at the Wells Fargo RV Park, a marvelous place; tight spaces but only one block from the historic district. If you don’t tow or even if you do, this RV park is perfect, as you can walk right over to the action. The folks are real nice and provide you good information on places to eat and visit. We had excellent ribs at the Long Horn and bountiful breakfast at the Ok Café.
Tombstone was founded in 1887 after a huge silver strike by Ed Schieffelin, and it quickly grew to be the “wildest wickedest” city in Arizona. In 1882 the population was estimated to be 53,000. By 1911, after flooding on the 600 foot level forced the closing of the
LittleEgypt
Remember the song? Six toes on each foot; this is the original painting that still hangs in the lobby of the Bird Cage Theatre. mines, prospectors and those who serviced them had moved on to the gold mines further north. Today, the population is around 2000. This old west town has a fascinating story - most often associated with outlaws and guns. The first thing we did was take the trolley ride to orient ourselves to the history and find the places we most needed to visit.
Tombstone was founded in 1887 after a gold strike by one Ed Schieffelin and it quickly grew to be the “wildest wickedest” city in Arizona. In 1882 the population was estimated to be 53,000. By 1911, after flooding at the 600 foot level forced the closing of the mines, prospectors and those who serviced them had moved on the gold mines further north. Today, the population is around 2000.
Most often when considering Tombstone, you think of the gunfight at the ok corral; Wyatt Erp and Doc Holiday fighting the McLaurys and Clantons. We saw a reenactment of that famous gun battle drank beer and listened to music in Big Nose Kates Saloon and visited the Rose Tree Museum, which is a story in itself. A lonely bride missing her native Scotland was gifted with
Private "boxes" in the Bird Cage
Girls could look down, guys could look up and choose and curtains could be closed! a rose from home and planted it in 1885. It is still blooms; the Lady Banksia rose spreads over 8000 square feet over a wonderful arbor in the courtyard of the museum. We went down into the Silver mine and saw the equipment and processes that brought silver from the depths up to the surface, where it was crushed, precipitated by mercury evaporation and eventually made into silver dollars. These folks were breathing mercury fumes and ingesting lead from the soldering their canned beans - no wonder they were reckless and violent.
All of the above was fascinating; however, by far my favorite attraction in Tombstone would have to be the Bird Cage Theatre; a famous place of entertainment. It housed gambling, visiting shows of all types, including Lilly Langtree, Eddie Foy and the infamous stripper Little Egypt, who performed all over Europe. The Bird Cage is where the better looking ladies of the evening were to be found. Prostitution was legal in Arizona in the 1880’s, and the professionals who worked in the field ranged from the aforementioned, higher class, Bird Cage “ladies” to the girls who walked the street who would provide service for the price of
Tombstone
Looking down main street of the historical district. a shot of whiskey. The girls who worked in the Bird Cage Theatre however, were licensed by the authorities. In the theater above the stage were “boxes” from which girls could look down and men could look up.; hence the name Bird Cage. The small staircases on each side of the main level, leading up to the box level were well original and well worn. The boxes above still had the tattered remnants of the velvet curtains which, the ladies, when occupied with clients, would draw. Behind the stage and under the main floor was the gambling establishment; still holds the table that hosted a nine year poker game. They exhibit photos, stories and even the licenses of many resident working women. Many, but not all, were very beautiful. Then beauty has never been a necessary prerequisite for the profession in question. There was even a famous lady with a mustache, not very attractive at all. However, an enterprising lady of the night could make enough money to retire, or perhaps start her own establishment in another town in very little time.
A cowboy made about $25 a month, a miner much more, $4 a day. A popular lady
Gun Fight at the OK Corral
Re-inactment photos. These are the Erps and Doc Holiday all in black. at the Bird Cage demanded as much as $25 to entertain a client - you figure it out! My father had a favorite joke with the following punch line “Lady, you’re sitting on a gold mine.” These ladies surely were.
Next stop Saguaro National Park in the Sonorn Desert
Advertisement
Tot: 0.097s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 12; qc: 29; dbt: 0.0396s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb