On a recent trip to Tucson, I spent a day traveling through the rugged hills of southeastern Arizona to check out two old western towns. Tombstone and Bisbee offer two distinct but complementary glimpses into the American Southwest. Just 30 miles apart, these former boomtowns share roots in the late 19th century. However, each has evolved in a dramatically different way. Today, Tombstone is a living monument to the Wild West, while Bisbee is a quirky arts enclave with a bohemian vibe. Together, they make for a fascinating journey through history, culture, and desert landscapes.
Tombstone: The Town Too Tough to Die
Tombstone, located 75 miles southeast of Tucson, offers visitors an opportunity to step back into the lawless days of the Old West. The town, known as “the town too tough to die,” was founded by a prospector named Ed Schiefflin in 1879. He left nearby Fort Huachuca, ignoring warnings that he would only find his “tombstone” if he ventured into the wilderness, and discovered rich silver ore, naming his first claim Tombstone. He eventually made 19 different claims before selling them to Consolidated Mining.
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