The Final Resting Place of
Wild West Outlaws

Tombstone, Arizona

I’m at the Boothill Graveyard – a small patch of baron desert filled with the graves of men who met their end in the wild west’s famous town Tombstone, Arizona. While there are now many Boot Hill cemeteries the one in Tombstone is the most famous. The cemetery was named “boothill” because the occupants generally died with their boots on, in violent manners such as gunshots & hangings.

What makes Tombstone’s boot hill cemetery worthy of a visit? For one, it’s where they buried the 3 guys killed at the most legendary wild west gunfight in history – the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Many of the wooden grave markers indicate manners of death, often with interesting or even comical notes such as:

Previously named the “Tombstone Cemetery” Boothill was closed in 1884 and left to decay. It was later restored in the 1930s and is well maintained today. Unfortunately most of the grave markers are not original, many rotted away and others were stolen; the restored versions are neat anyway. It’s pretty much what you’d expect a grave-filled desert to look like – it’s full of rocky terrain, dust and a few plants of the painful prickly variety. It’s suspected to be the final resting place of more than 300 souls, but only 205 of which are recorded. Many of the dead were poor immigrants not important enough for record-keeping.

Depending on your interest level the graveyard can be walked through in 15-45 minutes. If you’d like to know more about the graves, you can view a comprehensive list of records and known history of the people who are buried here at www.BoothillGraves.com. Along with other locations in Tombstone the cemetery has a history of ghost sightings and haunting myths; sadly I have to report not seeing any supernatural occurrences during my visit 😉

Want To See More? Check Out The
Tombstone & Boothill Graveyard Photo Gallery