Tombstone

National Historic Landmark.

Named by Ed Schieffelin, who discovered ore here in 1879 and by late 1881 it was one of the largest cities in the west with a population of 15,000. It was larger than San Francisco. In 1890, the town was nearly deserted due to flooded mines. The mines were pumped out in 1901 and flooded again in 1909. This was the Cochise County seat from 1881 to 1929. Tombstone is one of the best preserved specimens of the rugged frontier town of the 1870s and '80s. Site of one of the West's richest silver strikes and the "gunfight at the OK Corral", Tombstone epitomizes the legendary reputation of the "Wild West" and lawlessness of the 19th century mining camps. Within the past two years (2006-2007)the city of Tombstone has made significant progress toward correcting problems that placed Tombstone on the Threatened level in 2004. In 2005 the Arizona SHPO and NPS-Heritage Partnerships Program initiated a three-day workshop and planning charette, which included community members who are interested in establishing a long-term restoration plan for the Historic District. As a result of this charette several problem historic buildings are now being restored by their owners, who intend on meeting the Secretary of Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. A long-range plan is now in place that will eventually transform historic Allen Street into a linear park. Consequently, Old Fire Station No. 1 on Allen Street has been saved from near collapse, historically appropriate shade trees have been planted along Allen Street, and this street has been re-surfaced in a manner that is appropriate for its period of historic significance (1880-1931). Consequently there has occurred a renewed spirit of community support for the concept of both halting degradation of the NHL as well as eventually meeting high standards of restoration.