FUNDAMENTAL RESOURCES

The Cochise County Recorder's Office is the official repository for recorded county documents, preserving permanent public records including deeds, mining claims, plats, easements, liens, and other instruments documenting the ownership and development of Cochise County since its creation in 1881. For researchers studying Tombstone, these records provide essential primary-source documentation of land transactions, mining activity, property ownership, town development, and other legal records that chronicle the city's territorial-era history. 

The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records  preserves Arizona's permanent government records and historical collections, providing researchers with access to original territorial and state documents, newspapers, maps, photographs, manuscripts, court records, legislative records, and other primary sources documenting Arizona's history. Its holdings include extensive resources relating to Tombstone, such as Cochise County records, territorial government documents, historic newspapers, maps, photographs, court records, and digitized materials available through the Arizona Memory Project.

The Tombstone City Archives preserves the permanent municipal records of the City of Tombstone dating back to 1879, including original council minutes, ordinances, correspondence, financial records, election records, municipal reports, and other official documents that record the city's government and daily operations. For researchers, these archives provide indispensable primary sources documenting Tombstone's civic administration, public works, law enforcement, infrastructure, and community development through original records handwritten as it all unfolded.

This online database helps locate and access all types of research resources across various Arizona repositories such as the Arizona Historical Society, University of Arizona Special Collections, Shallot Hall Museum (Prescott), and many more.  

This online resource helps researchers discover and access resources held by Arizona archives, museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions. Territorial newspapers, government documents, photographs, maps, and other media are just some of the digitized materials waiting to be explored. 

Online and in-person research can be conducted with the U of A Special Collections department.  Many historic records tied to Tombstone's Earp-era are available including banking records, personal items from John Clum, Helldorado organizers, Ed Schieffelin's typescript account of founding early mines, business records, and so much more.