The gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a 30-second shoot-out between lawmen and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called the Cowboys that took place on October 26, 1981 in Tombstone, Arizona. The gunfight is generally regarded as the most famous showdown in the history of the American Wild West.

In 1879, Tombstone was a rapidly growing frontier mining town after silver had been discovered. In the same year, three brothers, James, Virgil, and Wyatt Earp, together with their wives, arrived in the town where they invested in several mining claims and water rights.

The gunfight was the result of a long-simmering feud over the control of Tombstone with Cowboys Billy Claiborne, Ike and Billy Clanton and Tom and Frank McLaury on one side, and town Marshal Virgil Earp, Special Policemen Morgan and Wyatt Earp and temporary policeman Doc Holliday on the other side.

It began in the 18-foot wide lot behind the O.K. Corral next to C.S. Fly’s Boarding House and Photo Studio. When the shooting began, unarmed Cowboy Ike Clanton ran into Flys and kept on running. In the next 30 seconds nearly 30 shots were fired. The three Cowboys who stood their ground were all killed. Tom McLaury, who may have been unarmed was cut down by a blast from Doc Holliday’s shotgun. Frank McLaury stumbled onto Fremont Street and was shot in the head. Morgan Earp shot 19-year-old Billy Clanton.

Both Virgil and Morgan Earp were badly wounded while Doc Holliday suffered a superficial hip wound. Only Wyatt Earp walked away unscathed.

If you’re looking for a good western film to watch, check-out “Tombstone” staring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, who delivers a stonking performance as Doc Holliday. We re-watched it ahead of our visiting Tombstone!

The Cunningham Hearse which was kept ready to transport the deceased in style to Boothill Cemetery in Tombstone.

Mike and I attended a re-enactment of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral when we visited Tombstone. It was cheesy (and very wet), but great fun and the gunshots were very loud!