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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12 May - 13 May

"Great location "

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11 May - 12 May

"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!"

SAR 470 total

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1 Jun - 2 Jun

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 "

SAR 788 total

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20 May - 21 May

Family Apartment (Invincible) | Private kitchen

"Absolutely beautiful!"

SAR 614 total

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24 May - 25 May

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

SAR 915 total

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18 May - 19 May

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

SAR 499 total

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21 May - 22 May

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Recent reviews of Pearce hotels

5/5 Excellent

"Iloved"

A verified traveler stayed at Landmark Lookout Lodge

Posted 13 hours 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 5 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 9 days ago

Lovely Wine Country Birders Delight 25 Acre Country Ranch/Amazing Hiking Getaway

5/5 Excellent

birders happy place

"There is nothing like being able to bird right off the porch. There are so many wonderful sights and adventures near there. a great Arizona experience!"

A verified traveler stayed at Lovely Wine Country Birders Delight 25 Acre Country Ranch/Amazing Hiking Getaway

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Inn History Tombstone

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VIGILANTE INN EARP

Experience the Wild West in Style: Unforgettable Getaway in Tombstone, Arizona!!

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WELCOME TO VIGILANTE INN

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