Tombstone Tramp part 4

Part 4:  The Boothill Graveyard

You can't visit Tombstone without going to see the Boothill Graveyard!

Boothill was laid out as a cemetery in 1878 and began in 1879 under the name "The Tombstone Cemetery."  It was the burial place for the towns first pioneers and settlers.  It was used until 1884 when the New Tombstone City Cemetery was opened on West Allen Street.  The graveyard had been neglected and lost to the desert and vandals for some time.  Then, the town's people got together to preserve their piece of history making it into what it is today.

Legend has it that Boothill was named for the fact that many residents there died violent or unexpected deaths, dying in their boots and buried with their boots on...which may in part be true.

However Boothill was named after Doge City's pioneer cemetery in hopes of attracting tourists in the late 1920's.  

Many famous Tombstone folks are buried at Boothill in addition to outlaws, prostitutes, suicide and hanging victims, along with the citizens both rugged and refined.  The victims of the 1881 O. K. Corral shootout are here as well. 

The Tombstone Hearse

In 1886 the "New" City Cemetery was opened in Tombstone.  There are some 500 graves and it is still in use. 

Old Boothill and the new cemetery are interesting places to visit while in Tombstone.  Boothill has been investigated on numerous occasions by paranormal groups and shows.  We found both graveyards to feel "unsettled."  

We give Boothill Graveyard a ghost rating!