History Raiders
Research & Consultation

"History is best preserved when it is studied, understood & shared with everyone"    ~Nancy Sosa

History Raiders has been working on the preservation of the historical books & documents for the City of Tombstone since January 2011.

This honor has been time well spent on some of the most interesting books and documents pertaining to one of the most amazing towns in Arizona history.

All council minutes book from 1880 to 1982 are in the collection. As well as Tax Assessment Rolls, Justice Records, Dockets, Deeds, and hundreds of maps spanning over 130 years.

One of the most amazing finds for History Raiders was a metal safety deposit box containing the original documents for the Huachuca Water Co. As many of you know, and for those of you who do not, Tombstone does not have its own water source. Our water comes from about 26 miles south in the Huachuca Mountains via a 130 year old aquaduct. The documents in the box were original deeds, maps, agreements and bonds.


As many of you are aware the devasting fires in Arizona this past May & June, affected the Hucahuca Mountains as well as the Chiricahua Mountains. The water line which supplies Tombstone was damaged by the mudslides, an unfortunate after-effect from the fires.

The information found in the archives of the City of Tombstone have been essential in locating the springs and pipe line in the Huachucas. With these well preserved historical documents and maps, the City has been able to create an accurate historical profile of the Huachuca Water Line, so that repairs can begin soon.

This situation is one more example of why we need to work together to preserve our historical documents, maps and books. Without the information contained in these records it would take much longer to develope a working profile for the necessary repairs to this historic water line.

New finds in the archives include Docket Records from the Recorder's Court for the City of Tombstone, from 1881-1891, two Docket books are available for research work.

Make an appointment to visit the archives on your next trip. I'm looking forward to meeting you.