Home > Tombstone Places > The Tombstone Epitaph

The Tombstone Epitaph

photo courtesy of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce

The Tombstone Epitaph Newspaper

The Tombstone Epitaph, also known as just The Epitaph, is the oldest continuously published newspaper in Arizona.

It is known for its coverage of the Old West, including the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

More than that, so much of Tombstone’s history was documented by the newspaper.

Daily life, social events, fashions, church services, births and deaths, disasters (natural and unnatural), and economic conditions are preserved in its pages.

photo courtesy of The Tombstone Epitaph

Honored for Historic Journalism

Since 1942, the Society for Professional Journalism has honored the people and places that play important roles in American journalistic history.

In 1995, the Society named The Tombstone Epitaph a National Historic Site in Journalism in recognition of the newspaper’s important role in documenting the history of the American West.

photo courtesy of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce

History of The Epitaph

The Tombstone Epitaph newspaper was founded in January 1880 by John P. Clum, its editor, publisher and owner.

It was a daily newspaper whose first edition came out May 1, 1880.

In the beginning, Clum intended to call the paper The Clarion, but changed it when he decided that “every Tombstone needs an Epitaph. “

The Epitaph was produced on a printing press in a large canvas tent on Fremont Street.

Tombstone’s first newspaper, The Nugget, was located across the street.

Newspaper Rivalry...

The Epitaph was considered a “Republican” (Union) paper, The Nugget provided a “Democrat” (Confederate) point of view.

Despite the U.S. Civil War being over, the country, including the Arizona Territory was still very divided politically.

As editor of The Epitaph, Clum supported the Earp brothers as they attempted to enforce law and order in Tombstone in the early days.

The Nugget’s publisher supported the Clantons and their loose affiliation called "The Cowboys.”

Tensions between the Earps and the Cowboys escalated to the now-famous violent showdown near the O.K. Corral in 1881.

As to be expected, the two newspapers also quickly became rivals, often engaging in editorial dueling themselves.

...Comes to an End

The Nugget burned down in the fire of 1882, never to return, but The Epitaph survived.

By the time of the fire The Epitaph was housed in a two story adobe structure next to the Grid Block, on Fremont Street, which probably prevented its destruction.

Tombstone had discovered that adobe buildings do not burn.

The Epitaph moved from there to its present location on 5th Street in 1927: 

photo courtesy of the Tombstone Chamber of Commerce

John P. Clum, Founder of The Epitaph

John Clum was an energetic and industrious mover-and-shaker on the frontier, not just as publisher of The Epitaph.

He was once an Indian Agent on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

While there, Clum had the distinction of being the only U.S. authority to capture Geronimo (although he was later released).

After that, in Tucson, Clum published the Tucson Citizen, another landmark Arizona newspaper.

He decided to relocate from Tucson to Tombstone in 1880.

In Tombstone Clum was elected Mayor and served as Postmaster before selling The Epitaph and leaving Tombstone in 1882.

The Epitaph has a large display about Clum including what he did after his time in Tombstone.

The Epitaph Museum

The newspaper building now contains a free museum that features reprints of original pages of The Epitaph, displays telling the history of the newspaper and its founder, and original printing equipment used to publish the paper.

Visitors can watch a video presentation about printing in the 1880s and view a Washington flat bed press on which early issues of The Epitaph were printed.

In the back shop, see composing stones, Linotype machines, type cases, and interpretive displays that chronicle The Epitaph's "hot metal" days.

Other things to see and do in The Epitaph are:

• View rare photographs of the Tombstone area and era
• Read other early Tombstone newspapers
• Read the original 1881 reports of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
• The purchase of an O.K. Corral ticket includes a copy of the 1881 reprint of The Tombstone Epitaph with original reports of the O.K. Corral Gunfight.

The Epitaph is now printed as a national historical monthly, published by Tombstone Epitaph, Inc.

Subscriptions to The Epitaph can be purchased in the gift shop in the museum.

Home > Tombstone Places > The Tombstone Epitaph

Coming Events

Gunfight Reenactments - 2nd and 4th Sunday

Helldorado Days - Oct. 21-23

Christmas Light Parade - Dec. 11

See More...

Coming Events

Rex Allen Days in Willcox - Sept. 29 - Oct. 2

Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb - Oct. 15

See More...