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.

Find Business Hotels in Pearce, AZ

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

deals illustration

Treat yourself

Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels

bed illustration

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check availability on Pearce Business Hotels

Tonight

20 Aug - 21 Aug

Tomorrow

21 Aug - 22 Aug

This weekend

22 Aug - 24 Aug

Next weekend

29 Aug - 31 Aug

Top Pearce Business Hotels

Balcony

"Wonderful place to stay with great staff& beautiful views! "

SAR 350 total

includes taxes & fees

31 Aug - 1 Sep

Bar (on property)

"We will definitely be back such friendly staff and great breakfast and dinner "

SAR 491 total

includes taxes & fees

21 Aug - 22 Aug

Property grounds

"The staff was excellent,"

Top Pearce Hotel Reviews

Tombstone Grand Hotel, a Baymont by Wyndham

Tombstone Grand Hotel, a Baymont by Wyndham

10/10 Excellent

"Very clean and comfortable. Very nice selection on breakfast buffet, and the staff taking care of it worked very hard to make sure all items were well stocked and tables were clean. Desk staff also very responsive, and quickly changed our room when none of us to get the TV to work. Overall a very nice property. "

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Find More Hotels near Pearce

More Hotel Options in Pearce

Hotels near popular Pearce Attractions

Pearce Hotels by Star Rating

55f40652-88e2-42f0-9cae-48e94a1c999f5ee8e578-4c52-442b-9beb-44c4c4366b6b