For your consideration is this original photo of the Tombstone Fire Department in 1883 and a freight log for the Tombstone Fire Department in 1884. Tombstone, founded in 1879, quickly became one of the most infamous mining towns in the Old West, complete with wooden structures, busy saloons, and the constant fear of disaster. The critical necessity for organized fire defense became clear, and the development of fire companies followed suit. Tombstone Engine Company No. 1 was officially founded on September 1, 1880, ushering in the city's first coordinated firefighting efforts. It was quickly followed by other volunteer groups, including Rescue Hose Company No. 1, which gave hose and manpower during fires. These early fire departments were entirely staffed by volunteers—brave townspeople who fought fires with few tools, no hydrants, and a scarcity of water, using bucket brigades or horse-drawn engines. The Tombstone Fire Department was tested early on. The town saw two devastating fires: the first on June 22, 1881, destroyed 66 shops along Allen Street, and the second on May 25, 1882, destroyed more than 100 buildings. Due to a lack of a suitable water system, villagers used dynamite to level buildings in the path of the flames, halting the fire's advance. These occurrences emphasized the importance of newly created fire departments and prompted additional investment in equipment and infrastructure. While the fire brigade battled fires, Tombstone's streets burned in their own manner. The town's history in the 1880s is as well known for its gunfights as for its silver. The Earp brothers, Wyatt, Virgil, and Morgan, as well as their close comrade Doc Holliday, were at the core of the action. These men were key figures in the notorious Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, which occurred on October 26, 1881, only months after the first major fire. The O.K. Corral fire, which began on May 25, 1882, was part of a wider inferno that destroyed most of the city, including several structures near the famed shootout location. The early fire companies, like Tombstone Engine Co. No. 1 and Rescue Hose Co. No. 1, laid the groundwork for modern fire protection in the town. These brave volunteers stood as a stabilizing force during some of Tombstone’s wildest years. The photo shows what appears to be the Rescue Hose Company #1 and the Tombstone Engine Company #1 posing for a large group photo on Fremont Street in Tombstone. Four men in the front hold instruments, while the rest of the men stand behind them in a line. In the background, a young Rose Hattich, the "Fire Queen" can be seen in her white dress sitting in a palanquin hoisted above the companies. The second piece is a freight log from the New Mexico & Arizona Railroad Company and shows two shipments to the Tombstone Fire Department in 1884. The shipment had a total weight of 3150 pounds and cost $185.85. It is signed on the back by T.A. Atchison, P. Cohn and J.M. Nash. Both pieces show good condition overall with wear present from their age and use over the years, but no major signs of damage is noted. The photo measures 4 1/4" L x 8 1/4" W, while the freight log measures 3 1/4" L x 8 3/8" W. They have a collective weight of under 6 ounces. Provenance: From the Tombstone Western Heritage Museum in Tombstone, Arizona. F18 F23