Tombstone, USA

Tombstone is a city located in Cowchis County of the U.S. state of Arizona, near the border with Mexico. Embodying the myth of the Old West, it became famous as the scene of the legendary 1881 cowboy shootout in the O.C. Plot. Coral", located in old Tumblestone.

The town arose in the middle of the Sonoran Desert, at 1,384 feet elevation, in 1877. Here grow low shrubs, cacti and as a complement to the landscape are the huge cliffs, unusual for the desert. The founder of Tumbstone was Ed Schieffelin, a scout and gold prospector who discovered silver here during his travels. He called his small tent camp and mine "Tumbstone," which literally translates to "tombstone."

News of the discovery attracted other seekers of quick riches. The town's population reached 14 thousand at the time. But like all gold prospector towns, lawlessness ran rampant in Tumblestone to a greater extent than the laws of the state. In the vicinity of the town lived a large gang of outlaws called the "Cowboys," who brought much trouble to the people of Thumbstone.

In 1880, Virgil Earp became the sheriff of Tumbestone and he, along with his brothers Wyatt and Morgan and their friend Doc Holliday, decided to help the people of the town and put an end to the gang's outrages. In 1881, the new town managers fell out with Clenton and the McClory brothers, who were part of the Cowboys. The tension created led to a duel between Doc Holliday and Ike Clenton. Deciding to help their friend, the Earp brothers track the group to the deserted lot #2, intent on disarming Clenton and the McClory brothers. In the gunfight, which lasted only 30 seconds, Clenton, Frank and Tom McClory are killed and Doc Holliday, Virgil and Morgan Earp are wounded. In the town of Thumbstone the site of the famous gunfight is marked with a large sign, "O. К. CORRAL."

Finding this location a natural setting for films about the Old West, Hollywood producers used it as the set for one of the most iconic films, "Tumblestone," and also for many other films about this interesting period of U.S. history.

Today, Tumblestone has about 1,500 residents, but is visited by half a million tourists a year who can experience their Wild West in a short time. Stagecoaches running down Main Street, shops selling Indian souvenirs, and authentic taverns help give the feeling of mid-19th century life.