Just over 150 years ago, the Bird Cage Theatre opened the day after Christmas, December 26, 1881. It was originally meant to be a place of family-friendly entertainment, but after failing to consistently draw a refined crowd to the mining town, they opened their doors to more rough-and-tumble sorts. Today, there are still bullet holes adorning the walls.
There would have been magic shows and comedy nights; singers, heavy-lifters, and plenty of drinks and dancing to go around.
In addition to the rowdy crowds, the Bird Cage Theatre is known for holding the record of the longest poker game ever played. The game spanned 8 years, from 1881 to 1889, and was played 24 hours, 7 days a week. There was a $1,000 buy-in at the door and it’s estimated that $10 million was exchanged over the course of the game. Some famous players in this staggeringly-long poker game were George Hearst, Diamond Jim Brady, Adolphus Busch, Doc Holliday, Bat Masterson, and Wyatt Earp.
Eventually, the miners left Tombstone. Many of the silver and gold mines had flooded. The water had caused a chemical change to the ore, resulting in a devaluation. What was once a thriving town of activity, with dance halls, saloons, and a thriving night life, Tombstone was abandoned.