Billy Breakenridge was fond of saying that men came to Tombstone to find El Dorado but all they found was Helldorado. The mines filled with
water, the demonetization of silver passed, and Tombstone was fast becoming a ghost town. When Breckenridge published his book,
Helldorado, in 1928, Tombstone once again attracted national attention. The town with a bank of memories polished up its gunfighter image and
became an important tourist attraction. In 1929 the first annual Helldorado Days celebration was held. All the living pioneers who could make the
journey visited the town. The brochure alleged "at least one dead man was provided for breakfast every morning." Daily there was a stage
holdup and the men wore enough guns and ammunition to start a small war. The Bird Cage Theatre came to life with old time revues and plenty
of whiskey. The highlight was the re-enactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Old timer John Clum insisted that Tombstone did not deserve
this lurid reprensentation--but it was a hit with tourists. Tombstone became "The Town To Tough To Die" The Cochise County seat was moved
from Tombstone on December 2, 1929 to Bisbee, and all the town had was its history. Luckily that proved to be a bonanza.
Excerpt from the wonderful JANE EPPINGA and her book Images of America "TOMBSTONE". Which she graciously signed for us marking
Helldorado Days 2008!
water, the demonetization of silver passed, and Tombstone was fast becoming a ghost town. When Breckenridge published his book,
Helldorado, in 1928, Tombstone once again attracted national attention. The town with a bank of memories polished up its gunfighter image and
became an important tourist attraction. In 1929 the first annual Helldorado Days celebration was held. All the living pioneers who could make the
journey visited the town. The brochure alleged "at least one dead man was provided for breakfast every morning." Daily there was a stage
holdup and the men wore enough guns and ammunition to start a small war. The Bird Cage Theatre came to life with old time revues and plenty
of whiskey. The highlight was the re-enactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Old timer John Clum insisted that Tombstone did not deserve
this lurid reprensentation--but it was a hit with tourists. Tombstone became "The Town To Tough To Die" The Cochise County seat was moved
from Tombstone on December 2, 1929 to Bisbee, and all the town had was its history. Luckily that proved to be a bonanza.
Excerpt from the wonderful JANE EPPINGA and her book Images of America "TOMBSTONE". Which she graciously signed for us marking
Helldorado Days 2008!
HELLDORADO DAYS 2008
TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA
TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA
I must thank the wonderful people from "The San Diego Hunters" the most wonderful Maritza and her husband Vince and also the lovely Rachel
(our haunted tour guide) and her friend Ian for making this trip for Helldorado Days and our Ghost Hunting adventure at the very haunted
"Birdcage Theatre" unforgettable. We all got some great ghost pics and that oh so creepy wonderful feeling that we get when we know ghosts
are among us everyday and everywhere trying so hard to communicate with us. Maritza and Vince, you are wonderful people. We are so glad
to have had the chance to meet you and gain from your vast paranormal expertise. Rachel, you rock the house girl! You are professional and
so in tune with our spirit friends. Ian, we will figure out who is following you and trying to get your attention my friend! Love you all so much!
You are wonderful people!!!!
(our haunted tour guide) and her friend Ian for making this trip for Helldorado Days and our Ghost Hunting adventure at the very haunted
"Birdcage Theatre" unforgettable. We all got some great ghost pics and that oh so creepy wonderful feeling that we get when we know ghosts
are among us everyday and everywhere trying so hard to communicate with us. Maritza and Vince, you are wonderful people. We are so glad
to have had the chance to meet you and gain from your vast paranormal expertise. Rachel, you rock the house girl! You are professional and
so in tune with our spirit friends. Ian, we will figure out who is following you and trying to get your attention my friend! Love you all so much!
You are wonderful people!!!!
Ian
Maritza and Rachel (seated) Doing
what they do best.
what they do best.
Vince
Ghosts
I must recognize some people who we met just by chance during our weekend excursion just doing their everyday thing. YEAH RIGHT! My
husband and I decided to take a walk where we were staying and we by chance came across the horses and the bulls. Loving just that
moment, as nature allows taking it all in. Suddenly all of these very nice gentleman came down the side of the hill one by one, walking their
horses to put them in the corral after a rough day I'm sure of tending to their duties. I asked to take a photo because I thought they were just
part of the wonderful show of Tombstone because of Helldorado Days however, I found out these guys were just doing their job! Yes folks...
The CALVARY is alive and well in Tombstone, AZ.! Meet just a few of the gentleman of B Troop, 4th Calvary of the US ARMY.
husband and I decided to take a walk where we were staying and we by chance came across the horses and the bulls. Loving just that
moment, as nature allows taking it all in. Suddenly all of these very nice gentleman came down the side of the hill one by one, walking their
horses to put them in the corral after a rough day I'm sure of tending to their duties. I asked to take a photo because I thought they were just
part of the wonderful show of Tombstone because of Helldorado Days however, I found out these guys were just doing their job! Yes folks...
The CALVARY is alive and well in Tombstone, AZ.! Meet just a few of the gentleman of B Troop, 4th Calvary of the US ARMY.
I would like for you to meet the 10Th Calvary, E Troop, Buffalo Soldiers - They are re-an actors and I am
waiting for thier pictures of authentic calvary garb. In the meantime here is a picture of the wonderful
days of Tombstone and a family affair!
waiting for thier pictures of authentic calvary garb. In the meantime here is a picture of the wonderful
days of Tombstone and a family affair!
They really didn't like us
much...believe me! The
bulls I mean
much...believe me! The
bulls I mean
Honorable Mentions of the nicest people I met in Tombstone. Genuinely nice people who love the magic of
Tombstone and they work so hard to live and dress in the history and keep it alive for the rest of us to enjoy!
There are so many but here a just a few that I just loved because they were just truly so very nice!
Tombstone and they work so hard to live and dress in the history and keep it alive for the rest of us to enjoy!
There are so many but here a just a few that I just loved because they were just truly so very nice!
A must see is the Tombstone Ghosts and Legends Tour
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