Boothill has gotten a face-lift. The historic and here and there hokey graveyard - in the historic and here and there hokey town of Tombstone - "was in need of some cosmetic surgery," said Boothill manager Dave Askey.
Recent work at the site included the replacement of an ocotillo fence, painting and re-lettering of signs, and the installation of new grave markers intended to "reflect the atmosphere of a proper graveyard."
"It looks much more presentable now," Askey said. "The whole area just needed a good sprucing up - sort of a makeover. The response from the public has been very good."
Askey said the tourist-attracting graveyard was opened in 1878 and closed to new burials in 1884.
"It met its full capacity in 1884," he said. "But it's been open for family members, visitors and tourism."
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The site has approximately 250 identifiable graves, Askey said, noting that "others have been lost to time and reclaimed by the desert."
A major feature of the town-led restoration project was replacement of an ocotillo fence around the property, Askey said.
"The old one had worn over the years, and it has been replaced with fresh ocotillo," he said. "It adds to the ambience of the graveyard and makes it look more original."
Among signs that have been repainted and re-lettered is a large grave marker at the entrance to Boothill.
Another major part of the project, completed this month, was replacement of some grave markers.
"Back in the 1940s, they installed metal markers in the graveyard because the originals had fallen into disrepair," Askey said. "Workers removed the metal markers and installed wooden markers to give it a more authentic look - more of an appearance of an old graveyard."
He said the project's effort to "reflect the atmosphere of a proper graveyard" did not include removal of some morbidly humorous grave markers.
Among those left in place are ones with these words lettered on them:
• "Here lies Lester Moore. Four slugs from a .44. No Les, no more."
• "Here lies George Johnson. Hanged by mistake 1882. He was right. We was wrong. But we strung him up and now he's gone."
Could these be authentic?
"As far as I know, they're original," Askey said. "But someone could have taken some license with them over the years."
If you go
• The Boothill Graveyard lies on a hill on the northern edge of Tombstone. From Tucson, take Interstate 10 east to Benson and exit onto Arizona 80. Follow Arizona 80 southeast to Tombstone.
• Hours are 8 a.m. to about 6:30 p.m. daily except for Christmas Day, when the site is closed. There is no fee for admission, but visitors are asked for a $3 donation to help cover the costs of maintenance.
Did you know?
Among those buried at Boothill are Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury and Tom McLaury. The three died in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone.
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
