If tourists truly want to see Tombstone, you need to visit Ringo’s Grave, too. It’s a must-see.
A lonely place, dark and sullen under a giant five-stemmed blackjack oak. You might not believe in Old West lore, but you are heedful when you approach it.

It’s the place where John Ringo died. The tree where he supposedly shot himself in the head with his Colt .45, ending an apparently troubled life.

In front of the tree on the west side of Turkey Creek near the Chiricahua Mountain foothills is a body-length cairn with a scratch-worded epitaph:

“The remains of this noted gunman and outlaw lie here . . . A coroner’s jury reported the death to be suicide, and Ringo was buried on the spot. There were others who viewed the body and maintained that the July 13, 1882 death of Ringo was murder.”

Ringo the legend has had more extravagant claims about him than Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, Jesse James and Buffalo Bill combined, writes author Jack Burrows in “John Ringo: The Gunfighter Who Never Was.”

There is a feeling he was “a coward and a backshooter,” Duhanich says. “But he did stand up to Doc Holliday.”

Area newspapers, including those in Tucson, bought the Ringo myth of him being a deadly gunslinger, but the closest he apparently came to killing anyone was when he got mad at a guy in a Safford bar who declined his offer of whiskey for a beer. Ringo shot him point-blank, but hit only his ear.

His judged suicide may be the most compelling story. He was cradled in the tree, the rifle placed carefully against it, boots hanging nearby on his saddle. And he was partially scalped.

One rumor was Wyatt Earp was after him. But the close range angle of the bullet to the right temple clearly indicated the wound was self-inflicted.

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Superior Room, 1 King Bed | Mountain view

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AED 472 total

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12 May - 13 May

"Great location "

AED 406 total

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"Great location and a cool little mobile home. It had a shuffleboard table and comfy beds. A quick walk gets you to the OK Corral and the staff was great!"

AED 466 total

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Seasonal outdoor pool, open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, pool umbrellas

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"This was my second time staying here. Love the domes and the unique stay. Always clean and comfortable. Very easy check in process with the code provided. I only wish they had breakfast at the restaurant - hopefully in the future "

AED 772 total

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Family Apartment (Invincible) | Private kitchen

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AED 601 total

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25 May - 26 May

"Our stay was a lot of fun and we look forward to coming back!!"

AED 896 total

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"Beautiful cabin in theme for the location. Great stay thanks "

AED 488 total

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5/5 Excellent

"Easy walking distance to tourist area. Nice historic room decoration "

A verified traveler stayed at Inn History Tombstone

Posted 1 day ago

5/5 Excellent

Good breakfast, skip the dinner

"This was our second time staying at the Monument Ranch, The staff is pleasant and welcoming. You feel like you are in another time and place, and yet only a short drive from our home in Tucson. The hot tub under the stars was a perfect way to end the day. If your package has the option for breakfast, you should include it. However, we added on the three-course dinner, which was mediocre at best. The entree choices were chicken breast or salmon. Both were under seasoned and over-cooked. We are looking forward to staying at the ranch again."

A verified traveler stayed at Tombstone Monument Guest Ranch

Posted 6 days ago

5/5 Excellent

Excellent.

"The royal tents are spacious, clean, and comfortable. The facility has good food, beer and wine. Also a coffee shop. Convenient location for visiting Willcox area wineries and for day trips to Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie Historical Site, Bisbee, and Douglas. Will definitely return."

A verified traveler stayed at Tirrito Farm

Posted 6 days ago

5/5 Excellent

"Lettie was a great host! She made sure we were comfortable and was easy to communicate with even when we needed to reach her by phone. Cute room/apartment, had everything we needed for our trip, including a kitchen. Property was clean & safe neighborhood for walking outside during nighttime. Property is within walking distance to many of the popular spots in Tombstone. Happy we stayed here!"

A verified traveler from Fort Lauderdale stayed at WELCOME TO VIGILANTE INN

Posted 10 days ago

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Inn History Tombstone

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