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2026 Symposium October 21-25
The O.k. Corral Gunfight
The 2026 TTR Symposium is devoted to a comprehensive examination of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral—its origins, its participants, and its enduring legacy. Through expert presentations, panel discussions, and experiences, this year’s program explores the social tensions, legal consequences, and personal histories that shaped the event and transformed it into legend.
Setting the scene
On the afternoon of October 26, 1881, tensions that had been building for months in the boomtown of Tombstone finally erupted. In a narrow lot near Fremont Street, a small group of lawmen and cowboys faced each other at close range. In less than half a minute, gunfire ended three lives and ignited a controversy that would echo through courtrooms, newspapers, and history books for generations. The gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
What to expect
Presentations
Presentations and panel discussions from leading historians and authors explore pivotal events, legendary figures, and new frontier research.
Community
The TTR Symposium is as much about conversation and connection as it is about history.
Discovery
Discovery
Explore the historic streets, landmarks, and stories that bring Tombstone's past to life.
Presentations
Gil Storms: Why Are We Still Talking About It?
Nearly 145 years later, the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral continues to inspire debate, scholarship, and popular fascination. Explore why this brief confrontation remains one of the defining events of the American West and why historians continue to revisit its legacy.
Wednesday, October 21 • 6:15 p.m.
Joyce Aros: How the Ranchers Triggered the Unexpected
Discover how the values, conflicts, and realities of Arizona's ranching community helped shape the tensions that culminated in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. This presentation examines the frontier culture behind one of the West's most famous events.
Thursday, October 22 • 9:30 a.m.
David Grassé: An Unfortunate Girl: The Brief and Tragic Life of Annie Kane
Uncover the little-known story of Annie Kane and her place in Tombstone history. Through historical research, this presentation explores her life, untimely death, and the circumstances that have left her story largely forgotten.
Thursday, October 22 • 10:30 a.m.
Chris Enss: According to Kate
What can the words of Big Nose Kate, the longtime companion of Doc Holliday, tell us about Tombstone and the people who shaped its history? This presentation examines her firsthand perspective on one of the most legendary chapters of the American West.
Thursday, October 22 • 11:30 a.m.
Gary Mitrovich: Judge A. O. Wallace: The Man Who Let Ike Go
Who was Judge A.O. Wallace, and what role did he play in the events leading to the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral? Discover the man behind one of Tombstone's most significant judicial decisions and his impact on frontier history.
Thursday, October 22 • 2:00 p.m.
James Becker: Kill 'Em Any Way You Can
Step into the political landscape of territorial Tombstone as this presentation explores Sheriff John Behan's role in the people and events surrounding one of the West's most famous chapters.
Thursday, October 22 • 3:00 p.m.
Janelle Molony: Dissecting Wyatt's First Fights
Long before the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Wyatt Earp's early confrontations helped shape his reputation. This session examines those formative encounters and what they reveal about the man behind the legend.
Thursday, October 22 • 6:00 p.m.
Paul Johnson: The Boys from Delaware County
Learn about the McLaury brothers' origins before their arrival in Arizona Territory. This presentation traces their journey from Delaware County to Tombstone, providing important context for understanding the events of October 1881.
Friday, October 23 • 10:15 a.m.
Tom Moy: Changed Perspectives of Richard Rule & John Behan
Revisit the roles of Richard Rule and John Behan while exploring questions that remain unresolved more than a century later.
Friday, October 23 • 11:15 a.m.
Anne E. Collier: Female Voices from Tombstone and the Spicer Hearing
Explore the stories of Martha J. King and Addie Borland. Learn how their perspectives contribute to a deeper understanding of the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral and its aftermath.
Friday, October 23 • 1:45 p.m.
Wayne Sanderson: Bob Hatch, Witness to the Gunfight
What can eyewitness Bob Hatch tell us about one of the West's most famous shootouts? This presentation examines Hatch's account and its place within the historical record.
Friday, October 23 • 2:45 p.m.
Craig McEwan: Camillus and Molly Fly, Witnesses to the Gunfight?
Photographer C.S. Fly and his wife Molly lived just steps from Fremont Street, but what did they actually witness? Explore the historical evidence surrounding two of Tombstone's most well-known residents.
Friday, October 23 • 3:45 p.m.
Chuck Hornung: Conflicting Jurisdictions, Law & Order in Tombstone, 1881
The legal landscape of territorial Tombstone was far more complicated than many realize. Learn how overlapping jurisdictions, competing authorities, and the courts influenced outcomes.
Saturday, October 24 • 9:15 a.m.
Bill Cavaliere: A Modern Law Enforcement Perspective on the Gunfight
How would today's law enforcement professionals evaluate the famous gunfight? Drawing on decades of policing experience, this presentation analyzes the confrontation through a modern investigative lens.
Saturday, October 24 • 10:15 a.m.
Bob Palmquist: Wells Spicer's Decision, A Legal Analysis
Take an in-depth look at Justice Wells Spicer's landmark ruling following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. This presentation explores the legal reasoning behind one of the most consequential decisions in Tombstone history.
Saturday, October 24 • 11:15 a.m.
Tombstone Vigilettes Fashion
Step back into Tombstone's boomtown years as the Tombstone Vigilettes showcase authentic Victorian- and Edwardian-era fashions. This presentation celebrates the clothing, customs, and everyday lives of the women who shaped Arizona's frontier communities.
Saturday, October 24 • 1:45 p.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at tombstonerendezvous@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No! We have many attendees with little to no historical knowledge. It's a great community to learn from.
Tombstone, AZ
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