Yes, as the book The Last Gunfight by Jeff Guinn explains in great detail, the famous shootout between the Earp brothers along with Doc Holliday and various Tombstone, Arizona, miscreants didn’t actually happen at the O.K. Corral, but nearby.

I just finished the book that a friend loaned me, and I found it a fascinating read. It’s been mentioned on the forum a couple of times before, but only in passing, and I’m glad my friend recommended it to me. It’s not, of course, possible to write an entire book about an incident that lasted maybe 30 seconds, and it’s a well-written account of the background of the era and locale in southern Arizona, to include the founding and development of the town of Tombstone. It discusses the lives of the principal individuals and provides interesting (to me, anyway) insights to the criminal justice system then and there, as well as what happened after the gunfight.

The book discusses the many myths and legends that grew up in later years and points out that Wyatt Earp himself was responsible for much of the misinformation that entered popular accounts. One thing in particular that struck me were descriptions of how two Earp brothers were shot from ambush, and one killed, rather than the fanciful TV depictions of honorable face to face fast draw contests. That’s something that was discussed here in another thread and that criminals then acted just like criminals today.

There’s much more, but I’ll just say that if you have any interest in the subject, it’s well worth the read.

I haven't had a shootout tour for at least ten years, they used to announce that it happened next door and not at the corral.
O.K. Corral sounds better though . Tombstone did well to attract tourists, even today it's major income for the area. Incredible amount of history in the area, Charleston, Fairbanks are ghost towns to check out. If you ever get to Tombstone be sure and get to the courthouse museum. Tombstone has had a couple of major fires since the shoot out.
Quote from link:
Due to poor building practices and poor fire protection common to boomtown construction, Tombstone was hit by two major fires. On June 22, 1881, the first fire destroyed 66 businesses making up the eastern half of the business district. The fire began when a lit cigar ignited a barrel of whiskey in the Arcade Saloon.[45][46]
On May 25, 1882, another, more destructive fire started in a Chinese laundry on Fifth Street between Toughnut and Allen streets. It destroyed the Grand Hotel and the Tivoli Saloon before it jumped Fremont Street, destroying more than 100 businesses and most of the business district. Lacking enough water to put out the flames, buildings in the fire's path were dynamited to deny the fire fuel. Total damages were estimated to be $700,000, far more than the estimated $250,000 insurance coverage. But rebuilding started right away nonetheless.[46][47]
In March 1883, along one short stretch of Allen Street, there were drinking establishments in two principal hotels, the Eagle Brewery, Cancan Chop-House, French Rotisserie, Alhambra, Maison Dore, City of Paris, Brown's Saloon, Fashion Saloon, Miners' Home, Kelly's Wine-House, the Grotto, the Tivoli, and two more unnamed saloons.[48]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...one,_Arizona#History

The Clantons were no angels and most likely going to get toasted one way or another. You can still get to the old Clanton ranch site and other neat stuff, Persidio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...ta_Cruz_de_Terrenate

Several famous springs for water in the area also.

If you get to Boot Hill in Tombstone, take the Middle March ( dirt washboard) road nearby, it will take you right up to the Dragoons and Cochise stronghold and eventually back to Interstate 10.

You mentioned interest in the criminal justice system, When you get a chance check this out, there really wasn't any justice back then, this happened not too far from Tombstone:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wham_Paymaster_robbery

Also, east of Tombstone is China camp and the San Juan Mine. Many hot and dusty afternoons in the Dragoons!

Thanks for the responses.

I was stationed at Fort Huachuca for about three years and got to Tombstone a few times. But that was long ago and I really wasn’t aware of much of what the book covered. I also don’t recall seeing anything about tours at the time. I doubt I’ll ever get back to the area again, but it was still interesting to (finally) understand much more about the history of the incident and the region.

I did a lot of backpacking and wilderness camping when I was there and the assignment was great, so I have a lot of good memories.

I can't remember the source of the interview, but at a Firearm Instructor class I attended they spoke about an interview with one of the involved parties about how they survived. Allegedly, the person stated they concentrated on their front sight.

I really enjoyed that book, read it a few years ago. I just remember it being recommended because it really was factual. Jeff Guinn is a good writer, I've read more by him. A fun read was the trilogy about Cash Mclendon. Started with "Glorious", "Buffalo Trails" and finished with "Silver City.

Yes, Jeff Guinn has a knack for bringing events to life. I first read his book on Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker- Go Down Together, and then read The Last Gunfight. Of all the many tellings of the events surrounding the gunfight in Tombstone, Guinn's book does the best job of assembling the facts and sorting through the many variations of the story, and making it quite real. Nothing else I've read on the subject comes close.

For example, his recounting of the events on the streets of Tombstone the morning of the gunfight, and all the interactions of the various players with their comings and goings clearly illustrates the writings of a man who has done meticulous research and put together all the pieces of the puzzle as best as anyone could, who was not there.

If you read this book, you'll see what I'm talking about. Highly recommended