What You Didn't Know About Tombstone's Old West History

Tombstone is famous for the gunfight at the OK Corral, outlaws, gambling, and its influence on our modern understanding of the Old West. Despite the town's fame, there are lots of pieces of its history that people seem to forget. Here are 5 facts you may not know about Tombstone, Arizona!

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#5: There were 5 Earp brothers, but only 3 came to Tombstone.

Newton Earp was the oldest of the Earp brothers. He served in the Union Cavalry during the Civil War and later worked as a farmer. He was also momentarily the Marshal of Garden City.

James Earp was born a couple of years later and also served in the Civil War. After his time at war, he spent the rest of his life managing saloons.

Virgil Earp was a respected lawman in Tombstone and served as the town's Marshal after Fred White's passing. He led the Earps during the gunfight at the OK Corral.

Wyatt Earp is the most well-known of the Earp Brothers. he was a lawman, a gambler, and a gunfighter. As media became more widespread, movies, TV spin-offs, comic books, and historical novels were written about him. A lot of them were fictional.

Morgan Earp was the youngest of the brothers. He served as a deputy alongside Virgil and Wyatt until he was eventually assassinated by local cowboys.

READ: The Legacy Of Fred White, Tombstone's First City Marshal

#4: Saloons were open 24 hours a day

In Tombstone, Arizona, keeping the miners and cowboys happy was most business owners' priority. The Crystal Palace Saloon, The Oriental Saloon, and most other saloons were open 24 hours a day. These saloons sold all sorts of alcohol, brandy, rum, gin, and over 24 important wines.

Some Saloons, such as the Oriental, had performances every night to try and bring in more business. The market was tough and competitive, but by being open all day, saloons attracted different customers at various times of day.

READ: How Doc Holliday Became A Legend In The American West

#3: The Longest Game of Poker

The Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, now a historic building, once held over 350 performances. It was opened in December of 1881. This Theatre was one of a kind, with all sorts of crazy acts, such as a woman who bent iron, "soiled doves," and lots of gambling.

The longest poker game ever recorded took place in the basement of this building. This game went on for 8 years, 5 months, and 3 days. The buy-in for this game was $1000, a fortune and a half at the time. The game was played 24/7 with players rotating in and out, day and night. The game only ended because the mines flooded, and all the high-playing gamblers moved on.

READ: Who Was Big Nose Kate And Why Is She Famous?

#2: The gunfight at the Ok Corral didn't actually happen at the OK Corral

Contrary to popular belief, the gunfight at the OK Corral didn't actually happen in front of the OK Corral. The Earp Brothers and Doc Holliday approached the Clantons on Fremont St, while the Clanton gang waited in an empty lot behind the OK Corral. The gunfight itself barely lasted 30 seconds, and there were 3 major casualties and numerous wounds.

READ: Cochise County's Wild West Stories

Ok Corral Casualties / Hulton Archive, Getty Images

#1: A bar that never closed its doors

The Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona, is recognized as one of the oldest bars in Arizona that has yet to close its doors and stop its operations. It was built in 1879, and originally operated under the name Golden Eagle Brewery and was owned by German immigrants.

After a fire swept through Tombstone, the Saloon changed its name to the Crystal Palace, and it has been open ever since. Despite Tombstones Population crash, the saloon still had enough customers to stay open for another 100 years. During prohibition in 1912, it didn't close its doors; it began to operate as a movie theater showcasing early motion pictures.

FUN FACT: Virgil Earp once had an office on the upper floor of this saloon.