Spirits of the O.K. Corral
Nothing captures the essence of the Wild West quite like a good old-fashioned shootout. The infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, is one of the most iconic showdowns in the history of the Old West. A visit to this historic site is a must on any trip to Tombstone, but beware—you might have to dodge a few ghostly bullets.
Join Tombstone Terrors and discover the haunted side of this historic event, exploring the chilling tales that other tours won’t show—or dare to show. We uncover the spooky secrets of the O.K. Corral and the spectral stories that continue to haunt Tombstone, AZ.
Why is the O.K. Corral Haunted?
A legacy of revenge and bloodshed haunts the historical O.K. Corral. Follow along to meet the ghosts of this historically haunted location, and to see it in person, book a ghost tour with Tombstone Terrors!
Life and Death in the Wild West
The O.K. Corral was more than just a site of legend; it was a crucial part of everyday life in the Old West. Operating as a livery and horse corral from 1879 to about 1888, it played an essential role in the town’s bustling life. Although history remains unclear about the exact location of the infamous gunfight, the O.K. Corral has cemented its place in history as the supposed battleground where legendary figures like Virgil Earp and Ike Clanton faced off.
Tensions between local lawmen and outlaws had been simmering for years, leading up to the fateful shootout. The Earp brothers—Virgil, Morgan, and Wyatt—along with Doc Holliday, were locked in a bitter feud with a group of outlaws known as “The Cowboys,” including Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clanton, and Tom and Frank McLaury.
The conflict reached a boiling point on October 26, 1881, when The Cowboys rode into town to challenge the lawmen’s authority. A new law requiring everyone to check their weapons at the livery before entering town had sparked outrage among The Cowboys, who saw it as a power grab by corrupt officials.
When the lawmen demanded that the outlaws surrender their weapons, chaos ensued. In just thirty seconds, thirty shots were fired, leaving the McLaury brothers dead and many others wounded. The smoke from the gunfight was so thick that onlookers could barely see what was happening until it cleared, revealing the blood-soaked ground.
Spirits of the O.K. Corral
Though the physical traces of that bloody day have long since faded, the spirits of those involved in the shootout are said to still haunt the O.K. Corral. Both travelers and locals have reported seeing the ghosts of Cowboys and Lawmen, guns drawn, pacing up and down the street outside the building as if waiting for their chance at revenge.
The manager of the O.K. Corral has even reported seeing a tall figure wearing a brimmed hat standing in the doorway, seemingly intent on reclaiming the territory as his own. Guests have also experienced mysterious cold spots within the building and heard the ghostly sound of horses approaching from the distance.
Haunted Tombstone
Visiting Tombstone is like stepping back into the Wild West. With its rich history of cowboy showdowns, haunted theaters, and scandalous saloons, this town is the perfect destination for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.
Don’t be afraid—embrace the shadows of this historic town on a ghost tour of Tombstone with Tombstone Terrors!
Sources:
https://maxwelljourneys.medium.com/tombstone-arizona-haunted-history-and-spectral-sights-c9a2a7aeba0c
