This town has tons of history, and even more potential. And it also has its fair share of issues. Lets start with the good. There are plenty of shops, and fun locals walking around in period (1880's) attire. There are stagecoach rides, gunfights, horseback riders, outlaws, and other neat tours. If you are just passing through for the day, its a fun stop. However, if you are really looking for authenticity, or a real entertaining time, you'll be disappointed.
Most of the shops are the same....jewelry, postcards, and leather goods. There are about 2 or 3 shops that offer period clothing.....bring plenty of cash as a jacket can run upwards of $300, and a dress about the same. This isn't counting the shirts for the guys, pants, boots (cheapest was about $150 for the pair), and a hat. Plus the vest, spurs, and any other accessories. For the women, its not just the dress. Its the stockings, corsett, pettycoats, boots, hat, jewelry, gloves, fan, purse, etc. As I said, its cashy. Then you have the typical tourist shops with 'junk'....crappy souveniers, postcards, magnets, and what they claim to be 'authentic' Native American jewelry. However while chatting with a merchant, she swore to me that the wolf was NOT a symbol of the American Indian. Um, whatever. It just happens to be one of the major symbols, but who am I?
This town is corrupt. It has a ver horrible Mayor, who doesn't want the town to survive. What it needs is someone to come in and inspire the people to not only work together but to clean up the town. The houses and yards are trashy. Nobody seems to care, and its as if they don't realize their own potential. My thought is, if you don't want tourists wandering by your house, then don't live in a historic town. Don't get me wrong.....there is a load of historic value to be gleened from Tombstone. You just need to ignore the repetitiveness and the filth.
3 comments:
The pics on FB are awesome hon :-)
I understand what you mean about losing the appeal & bringing in trashy souvenirs doesn't help. We have a similar place in Joburg (Gold Reef City) that went from a fabulous & pretty authentic display of the early days of the gold rush, to a run down, grubby & expensive theme park, offering little except imported curios from other African countries & cheap Chinese imports! Oh & the main feature is the casino.........
What? You didn't get me a pair of nail clippers that said Tombstone on them. LOL
Tracey, no nail clippers, but I did send you a new postcard!! LOL
Jayne, its a neat place to stop and get a beer, Lots of HOGs on the day we were there....you should stop just to say you did!
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