In continual operation for 146 years, The Tombstone Epitaph remains a steadfast fixture of the Wild West era. It is the oldest continuously published newspaper in the state of Arizona, although some contend that honor belongs to the Weekly Arizonian. Founded in January 1880, its inaugural issue hit newsstands on May 1st of the same year. Among its most renowned stories is the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which shot The Tombstone Epitaph to newspaper stardom (pun intended). Today, it produces monthly publications focusing on the history and culture of the Old West, supported in part by The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum. Following the infamous gunfight, the paper continued reporting on and researching figures like Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and their adversaries, The Cowboys. Notably, in 2005, it unveiled a hand-drawn sketch of the O.K. Corral gunfight, created by Wyatt Earp shortly before his death.
Located at 11 S. Fifth St., Tombstone, AZ 85638, the Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum is conveniently located among the dusty streets of historic Tombstone (Tombstone, Arizona: The Town too Tough to Die.), just one block from the O.K. Corral. Operating hours are from 10am to 4pm daily, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. While admission to the museum is free, obtaining a copy of The Tombstone Epitaph featuring the story of the O.K. Corral gunfight requires admission to the O.K. Corral recreation gunfight.
While the newspaper you receive with your admission to the O.K. Corral recreation gunfight is an obvious reprint (The O.K. Corral: Site of the Wild West’s Most Infamous Gunfight.), you can examine the original publication at the museum. Here, visitors can also see how The Tombstone Epitaph was printed in its inaugural year of 1880, using an authentic Washington hand press. As you wander through the museum, you’ll encounter composing stones, linotype machines, type cases, and interpretive displays detailing The Tombstone Epitaph’s “hot metal” era, which involved injecting molten type metal into specific molds. You’ll also learn interesting historical facts, such as how the newspapers editor, John Clum, helped capture the notorious Apache warrior Geronimo, or how he enlisted the Earps to aid in Tombstone’s defense. As to why a newspaper editor was tasked with capturing a renowned Apache warrior or helping defend Tombstone remains a mystery, but hey, it was the Wild West after all. 🤠
After the departure of the Earps, and Clum’s move to Washington D.C., ownership of The Tombstone Epitaph shifted to political infighting. Its future remained uncertain as it struggled to reclaim its pre-1886 status. This coincided with the collapse of the silver boom, with plummeting silver prices and flooded mines, which posed significant challenges to Tombstone and the newspapers’ prosperity. Despite efforts by subsequent editors to restore it to its former glory, they simply couldn’t replicate its early heyday. Fortunately, by the 1960s, renewed interest in the Old West revitalized Tombstone’s appeal. This led investors from Detroit, Michigan to acquire The Tombstone Epitaph, along with other historic Tombstone landmarks. Recognizing the growing interest in Tombstone, the newspaper owners split the paper into two editions – a national historical monthly edition and a local weekly newspaper. This, along with the museum, helped save The Tombstone Epitaph.
The Tombstone Epitaph National Edition, launched in 1975, is hailed as “the historical monthly journal of the Old West.” Since its inception, it has served as a platform for Western writers and historians to delve into various aspects of Western history. These stories cover topics such as Western exploration, mining and ranching history, outlaw and lawman history, Native American history, the U.S. Army and warfare in the West, Western women, frontier photography, and Western personalities. Recognized as a national journalistic landmark by the Society of Professional Journalists, the monthly journal has garnered an international readership. Subscriptions are available for $25 in the U.S. and $50 elsewhere and can be bought through The Tombstone Epitaph’s website at https://www.tombstoneepitaph.com/ or by mail to The Tombstone Epitaph, P.O. Box 1880, Tombstone, AZ 85638.
Overall, a visit to The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper and Museum will likely never be the sole destination on your travel list unless you’re a significant newspaper enthusiast. Nonetheless, it should be on your itinerary for any Tombstone visit. While it may not be as captivating as other sites in Tombstone, it’s still worth a quick 30 minute stop. Regardless if you’re a newspaper super fan or not, it’s still fascinating to learn about Arizona’s oldest continuously published newspaper and to stand exactly where it all began. Be sure to grab your tickets to the O.K. Corral gunfight to receive your complimentary reprint!
