Home > Tombstone Places > O.K. Corral

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The O.K. Corral

photo courtesy of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce

The Gunfight Place

photo courtesy of the O.K. Corral

Ahhhh. The place that makes Tombstone famous -- the O.K. Corral.

Ok, it's the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral that makes Tombstone famous.

Admit it, this was the page that got you on our site, isn't it?!

That is, as they say, OK!

A Few FAQs, to Start

Yes, this is a real place.

Yes, a famous gunfight did take place right here.

No, this is not Hollywood hokum (well, maybe, just a little!).

History of the O.K. Corral

The O.K. Corral Livery and Feed Stable was started in February 1879 by “Honest John” Montgomery and Edward Monroe Benson.

At the time of the famous gunfight, on October 26, 1881, the O.K. Corral was one of eight livery stables in Tombstone.

The O.K. Corral was completely destroyed in the Tombstone fire on May 25, 1882, together with much of the town's western business district.

Nothing left of the O.K. Corral but the sign, 1882.

Also in 1882, Benson sold his interest in the business to Montgomery.

The O.K. Corral was rebuilt by Montgomery and run by him until his death in 1909.

After that, until the late 1950s, the O.K. Corral housed an automotive mechanic’s garage (kinda makes sense, huh?), until it was refurbished into the museum and theater it is today.

What is a Livery Stable?

A livery stable looks after the care, feeding, stabling, and whatnot, of horses for pay.

In the 1880s, many Tombstone residents did not own a horse or carriage. Instead, if they needed to travel somewhere they rented horses along with buggies or carriages from livery stables like the O.K. Corral.

Just like renting a car today.

People traveling into town would also use the stable to park their horses (and carriages, if they had them) and walk while in town.

Just like using a parking garage now.

This kept the streets unclogged by too much wagon traffic, and the roads free of manure.

Many  livery stables employed a blacksmith (called a wheelright) who could do repairs  on wagons and carriages, and who might also shoe the horses in their care.

Just like a modern auto repair shop.

The term “livery” is still applied to some businesses nowadays where modern types of public transportation are kept like bus barns or taxi yards.

The O.K. Corral Today

Now called “The O.K. Corral Historic Complex” it is a collection of museum displays, interactive exhibits and a theater area.

Contained within the O,K, Corral building is the actual site of the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The gunfight really took place in an empty lot near the O,K, Corral that has since been acquired and added to the original property.

Eight life-sized figures of the gunfighters are staged where the gunfight happened, based on a map drawn by Wyatt Earp himself.

A recorded narration of what led up to the 30-second showdown that left three cowboys dead and Virgil and Morgan Earp wounded plays at the display. 

map of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral drawn by Wyatt Earp in 1919

What Else?

Also found in the The O.K. Corral Historic Complex are:

• The O.K. Corral 1880s Stables with a display of buggies, saddles, and fire equipment used in the 1880s. Visitors can sit in several different buggies to see what it was like.
• The O.K. Corral Office Museum which traces the history of the O.K. Corral and its operation. Learn about daily life in the Corral and the two murders that took place here.
• Displays that show how local medicine was practiced by Dr. Goodfellow, Tombstone's famous gunshot wound surgeon.
• An 1880s blacksmith shop, which houses wheelright and farrier tools used.
• The Fly Boarding House where you can visit Doc Holliday's room.
• C.S. Fly's Photographic Studio housing Fly's original photographic equipment. . On display are some of his world-famous photos of the Apache warrior Geronimo and his historic photos of 1880s Tombstone life.
• The Cowboy Bunkhouse with an exhibit of cowboy gear and a fancy 1880s Phaeton buggy.
• A horse-drawn hearse just like the one kept on the O.K. Corral premises in the 1880s, which carried the unfortunate on their final trip to Boothill Cemetery.
• A running water mining sluice where you can try your hand at gemstone mining just like prospectors did in the 1880s.
• A Prostitute's Crib with the story of Tombstone's "soiled doves" – including the wives and girlfriends of the Earps and Doc Holliday.

And, of course, The Streets of Tombstone Theater where the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is reenacted every day at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

For a brochure of the O.K. Corral and exhibits, click here.

The Gunfight (Re-enacted)

photo courtesy of the O.K. Corral

Actors portray Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Virgil and Morgan Earp, the McLaurys and the Clantons in reenactments of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The O.K. Corral gunfight reenactment is performed daily inside The Streets of Tombstone Theater at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

The show lasts about 30 minutes.

Tickets can only be purchased at the O.K. Corral in person on the day of the performance.

Buy tickets at least 2-3 hours before the show since they often sell out.

It is recommended that visitors tour the O.K. Corral's historic exhibits before the gunfight since displays become crowded after the show.

photo courtesy of the O.K. Corral

After the gunfight, take a picture standing next to the gunfighters.

Photographs of the gunfights and the O.K. Corral Historic Complex are allowed, but the photos must be for personal use only.

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Coming Events

Gunfight Reenactments - 2nd and 4th Sunday

Helldorado Days - Oct. 21-23

Christmas Light Parade - Dec. 11

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