Tombstone Arizona

A Pictorial Souvenir of Tombstone, Arizona

A Sketch of Allen Street, Tombstone in 1940s

In this pictorial souvenir of Tombstone, Blythe endeavors to present to you the buildings of Tombstone as they looked in 1940s through pencil sketches, although the majority of the buildings were built between 1879 and 1882. One of the prime highlights of the town is the old Bird Cage Theatre, which offered in its heyday, “stupendous, colossal attractions” by night, gambling and drinking by day, has been turned into a museum and is filled with mementos of the town’s early history. You have missed a prime sight if you fail to see Tombstone, heart of the old Southwest where history was written with six-shooters.

Biography of James O’Neill

James O’Neill was born on May 6, 1861, in Rondout, New York, to Irish immigrant parents. Orphaned at a young age, he started working in coal breakers at seven. His mining career took him across several states, including South Dakota, Arizona, and Idaho. In 1896, he was elected assessor of Elmore County and later served as sheriff. O’Neill married Mary T. Donnelly, and they had five children. A respected businessman and community member, he exemplified resilience through hard work and determination despite early hardships.

Biography of John P. Clum

John P. Clum, born in 1851 in New York, graduated from the Hudson River Institute and briefly attended Rutgers College before entering the meteorological service in 1871. He served effectively as the Indian Agent for the Apaches at San Carlos, notably capturing Geronimo in 1877. After moving into journalism, he edited the Tucson Citizen and the Tombstone Epitaph, and was also mayor of Tombstone. Clum’s later career included roles in Washington and a return to Tombstone as an auditor. He settled in San Bernardino, engaging in real estate, horticulture, and mineral exhibits.

Biographical Sketch of Richard Gird

Richard Gird, born in 1836 in Herkimer County, New York, rose to prominence as the owner of Chino Ranch in San Bernardino County. After arriving in California at a young age, he engaged in mining and later became a key figure in the Tombstone mining district. Gird’s accomplishments included creating the first accurate map of Arizona and designing its first mill. A respected businessman and civic leader, he was instrumental in local banking and politics, while actively supporting education and community projects. He married Nelly McCarty in 1881.