As I wandered the streets of Tombstone on an early Monday morning it was becoming clear not many businesses were open yet. Aside from the courthouse and a couple souvenier stores the only place open was the Bird Cage Theatre. I didn’t know anything about it beforehand but oh boy was I in for a treat. Turns out this was the rowdiest 24/7 wild west bar in the 1880’s with history connecting many past legends.
Outside there is a placard posted by the Tombstone Restoration Commission giving a short history. Built in 1881 and survived as the only other theater in town after a fire the same year. Also called the Elite and the Olympic, closed in 1892, and remains as the original building. Much, much more to the story as found inside. As you scroll down, keep in mind this was located in a boomtown based around silver mining and western expansion.
Stepping inside there is a small assortment of souveniers, knick knacks, bric-a-brac, and miscellaneous old timey memorabilia. There is also a dusty and distinct smell of old wood and antiques that lingers on the air. I paid $15 for the self-guided tour to a woman dressed as a saloon girl and made my way inside.
Right through the main doors you are in the heart of the Bird Cage, unsurprisingly looking at the elevated “bird cages” or basically private booths above the main floor. Fourteen total boxes were rented for $25 a night which would have been a large sum back in those days (converted to 2022 dollars it would be around $700). Considering this was basically a brothel and…well…you can put 2 and 2 together.
Below the boxes is a large stage that saw almost every kind of act you can imagine and beyond. Plays, feats of strength, burlesque, Cornish wrestling, comedy, opera, cross-dressing. You name it, probably happened here. The New York Times referred to the Bird Cage as “the Roughest, Bawdiest and Most Wicked Night Spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast.” From 1881 to 1889 this place operated 24/7 and reportedly 26 people were shot inside during this period. If you are into paranormal activity they also do ghost tours.
For fans of the 1993 movie Tombstone, you can check out the original Faro table where Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo had their famous scene speaking in latin. The movie apparently is pure fiction – in reality, Doc and Johnny had a duel between this table and the piano (possibly there were multiple duels but it’s hard to confirm the truth online, much of the accounts are tall tales and exaggerations).
And here’s the piano – a J.P. Hale & Co from New York. Built out of solid rose wood and hand crafted, shipped “around the horn” of South America to San Francisco and then brought by mules to Tombstone. According to the sign it has sat on this same spot since 1881.
Along your tour there are many things to see – too many for me to list here. It’s like a cross between a time capsule and a fleal market and quite the experience. One such unique item is this Boothill Hearse named “The Black Moriah”. According to the sign it was built in 1881 and buried everyone in the Boothill Cemetery. Only eight of them were built that year and this is the only one left. Decked out in sterling silver and 24-carat gold it’s quite the sight to behold. (Not pictured here: another sign advertising undertaking services says you can get buried for $22)
Bison head mounts, old photograhs and paintings, advertisements, bicycle wheels, pianos, and more fill every nook & cranny of the walls and floor. So much to see it would take multiple visits to soak it all in. The official website (and the hostess/saloon girl confirmed) there are over 140 bullet holes all over the Bird Cage so keep your eyes open for those too!
Down in the basement there is a strange and dusty scene with a poker table, a ghoulish-looking mannequin in a tophat, and small bar with more dummies. Turns out this table is the original from the longest poker game in history. It ran consecutively from 1881 to 1889 – in total eight years, five months, and three days. Notable players at this table: George Hearst, Adolphus Busch, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. Buy-in was $1,000 (just shy of $28,000 converted to 2022 inflation).
Much like other establishments of Tombstone there are personal belongings of the local celebrites on display. One case has a machete from the jungles of Peru carried by J.L. Larrieu, a tooth extractor & other medical devices that belong to Doc Holliday, and a baton from Bat Masterson.
Plenty of photos on the wall of famous patrons. I had to photograph this one of Crazy Horse Lil as it gave me a good chuckle. The caption reads “She was big and tough and would use language that would make a sailor blush. She liked to get drunk and start a fight with man, woman, or beast.” Were these tall tales or real people? The more I read, the more accurate it all sounds. What a time it must have been to be in this place.
Exit is through another gift shop. No difference between 1880 and 2019 – if you are in the Wild West you best bring some money! Heading back out now into the streets of Tombstone for more sights & scenery – stay tuned!
Lat = 31.7117805 , Long = -110.0653152 -- Show at Google MapsAuthor’s Note: Due to many reasons – none of them very good – I’m posting this from the future in March 2022. Actual visit date/time December 9, 2019 10:54am. I’ll backdate it later so as to maintain chronological order. I’ve got an overwhelming backlog of photos to process which is probably why I procrastinate. Hope you enjoy them all the same.