Boot Hill: Arizona’s Legendary Resting Place of the Wild West
When you hear the term “Boot Hill,” images of dusty trails, gunslingers, and untamed frontier towns immediately come to mind. Nowhere is this imagery more vivid than at Boot Hill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona—an iconic piece of Old West history that captures the rugged spirit of the American frontier.
A Graveyard Born from Violence
Boot Hill, originally called the “Tombstone Cemetery,” opened in 1878 and served as the final resting place for a motley collection of pioneers, prospectors, lawmen, and outlaws. The name “Boot Hill” became popular slang for burial grounds of those who “died with their boots on”—often meaning they met violent ends rather than dying peacefully.
The graveyard’s rough history mirrors Tombstone itself, a boomtown built on silver mining riches and infamous for its lawlessness. In its early years, Tombstone witnessed countless gunfights, robberies, and skirmishes—some of which led directly to the creation of the graves that now line Boot Hill.
Notable Graves and Colorful Stories
Many of Boot Hill’s graves are marked with simple wooden crosses or faded markers, some etched with dark humor and others with haunting final words. Among the most famous burials are:
- Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury – Victims of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881, one of the most legendary shootouts in Western history involving the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday.
- China Mary – A well-respected Chinese businesswoman and community leader.
- John Heath – Lynched by a mob for his involvement in the Bisbee Massacre.
- The “Unknowns” – Many graves are simply marked “Unknown,” a sobering reminder of the harshness and anonymity that accompanied frontier life.
You can get information on the graves by visiting the Boothill Graves website.
Boot Hill Today
Today, Boot Hill has been carefully preserved and partially restored, offering visitors a hauntingly authentic glimpse into the Wild West. Walking the grounds, you can almost hear the echoes of spurs clinking and the tense conversations from Tombstone’s saloons.
The small museum at the entrance adds context, offering maps of the graves, historical photos, and background stories on some of the more notable residents. Admission often includes a guidebook with biographies and epitaphs, bringing the past to life as you walk among the gravestones.
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Conclusion
Boot Hill is more than just a cemetery—it’s a living monument to the legends, lawlessness, and rugged perseverance that shaped the American West. No visit to Tombstone is complete without paying your respects to the men and women who lived—and died—with their boots on.
Boothill Graveyard
408 N. Highway 80
Tombstone, AZ 85638
(520) 457-1450
Open Daily 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
$6 Admission
https://discoverboothill.com/
