Crystal Palace History

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Crystal Palace History
Through the Years

Plans In the Works

The Tribolet brothers were immigrants from Ertach, Berne, Switzerland. Seven brothers, but three instrumental to this history.

The oldest was Godfrey. He moved to Charleston, Arizona Territory. Becoming a journeyman butcher, he learned the business, began saving funds. With bigger plans in his head!

Godfrey moved to Tombstone, a growing community. He opened a butcher market at the corner of Allen and 5th Street. His two younger brothers joined the business. Manfred was a cooper, 10 years younger. Charles one year younger.

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Grand Opening: Beef & Beer

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By Spring 1882, Ben's business still rolled along. He made it a unique and desirable establishment. A quality gathering spot. Note this report in the Tombstone Epitaph of April 24, 1882. Ben advertised regularly in local publications, highlighting the Golden Eagle Brewery's quality.

[Click Clipping to Enlarge]

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Tombstone Fire of May 1882

Midway between 4th and 5th Streets, on the North side of Allen, a fire flamed up behind the Tivoli Gardens Saloon. It was May 26, 1882, mid-afternoon. Quickly spreading Eastward throughout the whole block. All the wooden framed businesses began crackling in the flames.

The Golden Eagle Brewery wasn't spared this time. Most of the business area was burnt away. Only a few buildings were saved by hard working people moving bucket brigades. 

[Click on News Articles to Enlarge & Read]

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The May 27, 1882 Epitaph reported: "Smoke from the fire rose from the ruins for several days." Everyone in town kept optimistic, determined to rebuild.

Including Golden Eagle proprietors. Ben Wehrfritz was completing his new building on the corner of Allen and 5th Streets. On Friday, June 23rd, a worker was injured.

Downtown Tombstone Rebuilding

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The All New Crystal Palace Tombstone

Just after the fire, the Golden Eagle Brewery's primary entrepreneur Godfrey Tribolet, left Tombstone for Santa Fe, New Mexico. The other Tribolet brothers rebuilt down the block at the corner of 4th. Brew-master, Bernhardt Wehrfritz, continued. Since his specialty was brewing, his plan centered on the saloon.

On that Northwest corner of Allen and 5th, his 2-story building began construction. Eighty feet of Allen Street frontage presented as the new Crystal Palace, a saloon and gaming parlor.

In that building Wehrfritz rented out a barber shop run by Frank Beluda, plus The Rockaway Restaurant. He rented second floor rooms to Dr. Goodfellow, Virgil Earp² and others.

Crystal Palace History: Grand Opening

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Financial Woes in Tombstone

Grand Reopening of the Crystal Palace

The April 1885 proprietors were Wehrfritz and Caesar. They placed Grand Reopening ads, planning the business resuscitation. Would Tombstone breathe in some fresh air?

An April 11th ad in the Cochise Daily Record recounted the event that very night...

More Financial Hits

Tombstone was still on a downhill slide. Mines continued having problems. Tombstone's Crystal Palace Saloon still placed regular in-text ads in local newspapers.

Very early morning, March 12, 1886, a robbery occurred at the Crystal Palace. Both The San Francisco Chronicle and the local Epitaph published the report. It sounded mysterious.

Local police discovered the crime in action. They shot at the culprits, who dropped the cash as they fled, but weren't pursued. And no follow-up to determine who the robbers were, to seek arrest!

A notice posted in The Epitaph Saturday, April 10, 1886 exposed the partnership's problems. A Trustee's Sale planned for the "Wehrfritz Saloon" and all property.

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Crystal Palace - New Owners

On May 26, 1886 fire destroyed the Grand Central Mine's pump. Many town businesses closed. Ben Wehrfritz looked elsewhere now. Soon Ben was brewing beer at another brewery.

November 16, 1886 Ben Wehrfritz was in Nogales Arizona, after visiting Tombstone for several days. An ad appeared in November 15's Daily Tombstone to lure Tombstone's residents to Nogales to sample his brewery there, with a familiar name!

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Tombstone's Crystal Palace Must Change Again!

A Tombstone paper, with dwindling readership, its survival doomed, printed a sarcastic comment comparing local establishments. In particular mentioning Tombstone's Crystal Palace. Tucson's  Arizona Daily Star reprinted it Christmas Day 1877.

In 1888 Crystal Palace isn't much mentioned. Local news on occasion, referencing people or unusual events. This history:

• Feb. 8, 1888: Tombstone Prospector reported a new sidewalk in front of the saloon, the same needed other places
• Same Date: Epitaph stated a Chinese man arrested for bringing a gun into the Crystal Palace
• April 12, 1888: Epitaph noted Julius Caesar to run the Crystal Palace!

We're always researching Crystal Palace history. We're open to information anyone provides. Please contact us about what you know!

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Crystal Palace History 1889

In 1889, Julius Caesar is referenced with a Crystal Palace ad! A mysterious notice appears in the Tombstone Epitaph.

A short time later the startling event is unmasked in the Epitaph. A new singer, Miss Wood, enlisted to provide Crystal Palace entertainment. Creative marketing at its finest in historic 1880s!

The Crystal Palace had a raffle for a sewing machine: one of the newest inventions of the era!!

Toward year's end, another singer hired. First mentioned in The Epitaph on November 22, 1889. Miss Cushman given notices in the paper under "Local Happenings." The last one December 28, 1889.

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Crystal Palace History 
More Change for the 1890s

At the same time, an area behind the main bar was rented out to P.B. Warnekros for his enterprise, supplying the latest popular beer, Schlitz, along with ice keeping it cold. He advertised the Crystal Palace had great access to that beverage!

A surprise announcement appeared in both the local Prospector and Epitaph. The Crystal Palace under new management once again!

Deducing from the Tombstone Epitaph's announcements, they supported this change. Although there's no ads, they begin mentioning the Crystal Palace again. 

• February 1, an Epitaph article concerned well-known resident, C. Hattison of 8th Street. Found dead at home, surprising, at only 38 years old. Last seen healthy and well, three days prior at the Crystal Palace.
• Tombstone Prospector on 2/12/1891 wrote of miner Louis Holsey. Recently killed himself after killing his wife, in Kansas. In December 1890 Holsey ran a Crystal Palace Faro game a short time.
• The Weekly Epitaph also wrote up the Holsey incident, February 15. With more background on his family, and the situation. Some said he was quiet and solemn. Others said he'd threatened them. His wife was seeking a divorce, and soliciting evidence from Tombstone witnesses regarding his history of violence toward her.
• Sunday, May 31st Weekly Epitaph story about a local trial. During deliberations, a sheriff on the jury believed the defendant innocent. A locally unpopular opinion. He was violently accosted in the Crystal Palace.

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Crystal Palace History: 1892

A Tombstone Epitaph notice told readers ice storage was still available at the back of the Crystal Palace. Operated by Southwestern Ice Company.

Manager, Joe Bignon sponsored a raffle. Maybe with a plan in mind, because two weeks later two announcements appear the same day in The Epitaph:

1. Joe Bignon is retiring from the Crystal Palace. 
2. A separate Epitaph article stated the Crystal Palace will close for "extensive repairs." Expected reopening date: July 1. An enormous undertaking making the Crystal a large venue!

But July 1 comes and goes, the Crystal Palace Saloon still closed. On July 24th An Epitaph article declares it will open soon. They're working on wallpaper and ceilings.

Subsequently, there's no announcement of a new owner. There's no Crystal Palace Grand Opening. There's no historical article located.

Finally a mention is given...

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Crystal Palace History: 1893 to 1899

The Tombstone Epitaph prints a cautionary notice. But who's responsible for solving this issue? And it's now all the way into mid 1894!

On September 1 that year, the Arizona Weekly Citizen published a substantial analytical piece by someone with the byline "P.H." entitled "Tombstone Today." It speaks of "rows on rows of empty cabins." And "whole blocks of saloons and stores of considerable magnitude forsaken." It includes saloon names such as "Crystal Palace" and another celebrated, the "Fashion."

Why? Its heading explains: "Tombstone has had a great decline." And further, telling of silver's price drop, miners and merchants leaving. They commend those left in Tombstone as hopeful and resilient.

The history conclusion can be, [we think] the Crystal Palace was to reopen after Bignon left. But financing fell through, so it never happened.

At 1895's end, the Crystal Palace is finally mentioned in The Tombstone Epitaph. It's sold, by a court judgment to Martin Costello.

Pittock published a story out of Phoenix on September 16, 1897. A historical look at Tombstone, it reviewed the current situation from its heyday. Listing the 1897 population about 1000. That's a few hundred less than it presently has!

Pittock mentions the Crystal Palace. Saying the "corner last occupied by the Crystal Palace saloon, northwest corner of Fifth and Allen streets, less than three years ago retned [sic: rented] for $150 monthly."⁴ So apparently the Crystal Palace was still not open in late 1897.

Researching news items to 1800's end, nothing more is seen by us referencing Crystal Palace History in Tombstone Arizona.

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Crystal Palace History: 1900s

Women Outlawed!

Another thing happened in May: women were outlawed from saloons! The result of "morality" political action running through the country. Men had the control, as women could not vote.

The Tombstone city council passed an ordinance, effective May 20, 1902. It stated: "no woman shall be allowed in the saloons or adjacent rooms, either as a guest or employee of the place." Violation fines of $25 to $50, or imprisonment of 10 to 25 days.

However, note for the men's convenience - it didn't apply to the red light district! That area continued through January 1907, when prostitution was outlawed.

Crystal Renewed

It took a while, but work began on the Crystal. The Epitaph reported November 9, 1902 the remodeling: new ceiling work started. Anticipated opening date about a month away.

It didn't go on time. Another announcement in The Epitaph December 21st, which named new owners. And the Grand Opening is announced, separately.

The Tombstone Epitaph printed their Grand Opening review on December 28th, reporting it "was well attended." Calling it a favorable "class of resorts in the west."

The Bisbee Daily Review July 26, 1903 issue said one Crystal Palace owner sold his interest. Elwood Madden moved on to "The Turf." By September 1903, he's ill with typhoid fever. 

Early August 1903, John F. Anderson is a Crystal Palace proprietor. Did he replace Madden? Another proprietor is mentioned in a May 1906 Epitaph: Edward Wheeler. Then an August 1906 Epitaph announcement states only J.M. Speck remains as Crystal Palace management.

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Crystal Palace History: 1910 - 1915

A Naco, Sonora saloon owner, F.J. Keogh, purchased the bar, back bar and all fixtures from the Crystal Palace Costello estate. Plus the huge ice box from the saloon's rear. A truck carted it all across the border on June 2, 1923. The Crystal Palace bar was installed in the White House Saloon in Naco, Sonora. At some point unfortunately, that saloon succumbed to fire. The historic bar along with it!

What happens next?

Crystal Theatre Tombstone

January 1915, a whole new avenue for the Crystal Palace Saloon came into play. Joe Norcross took ownership of its lease. Joe expressed optimism for the town. Had The Crystal Theatre ready to go on February 26th, with a ball afterwards!

Then mid-year, he sold out to James and Tony Giacoma. Former miners, immigrants who arrived in town around 1909. They carried on the same type productions as did Joe.

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Crystal Palace History:
1916 - 1922

Things looked up financially for the town. Not exactly booming, but more stable. Local mines consistently running, housing market full, hotel rooms booked, banks doing well. World War I began, contributing to this stability.

The U.S. didn't get in the war until 1917. Tombstone was distracted with their patriotic effort.

At the war's end, November 11, 1918, everyone celebrated! They gathered outside the Crystal Theatre while the Tombstone High School played the Star Spangled Banner. Local attorney W.G. Gilmore gave a short, moving commemorative speech.⁵

But again commercial town interests began to suffer. People moving away, until the population was just under 1000. Tombstone's First National Bank: Mary Costello, President, almost closed! She acted to save it. But restaurants, stores, other enterprises were regularly closing.

The Commercial Club Secretary, Arlington Gardner, thought of something to save the town: tourism! Mid 1919 Author Frederick Bechdolt came to town, meeting with Gardner. This fomented Saturday Evening Post articles about Tombstone AZ. Then a book, When the West Was Young. While in town, he promoted restoring Boothill cemetery.

In 1922, the Giacoma brothers felt the buzz. They refurbished the Crystal Theatre. The Epitaph mentioned others along Allen Street got into the action! The Bisbee Daily Review and Tucson's Arizona Daily Star featured this news.

At year's end the Crystal Theatre still operated. The El Paso Herald published an article December 9, 1922 reviewing Tombstone's history. It mentioned the "Crystal Palace gambling hall is a prosaic Crystal theater, showing moving pictures..."

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Crystal Palace History: 1923 & Beyond

Gardner enlisted help from Tombstone historian George H. Kelly. They decided to commemorate a 50-year anniversary in 1929. Scheduled for October: the first "Helldorado."

Twenty-four committees planned it, meeting at the Crystal Palace. Among the preparations:

• refurbish historic buildings
• block auto traffic from downtown
• plan performances
• open the Bird Cage as a vaudeville venue
• AND restore the Crystal Palace as the saloon it was in the Wild West era

1. Except the Crystal Palace could only sell soft drinks, because of Prohibition (which didn't end until 1933).

The most popular reenactment was The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.  That feature made newspapers throughout the country.

Over 6,400 people were in town for the event. Even so the Phoenix Gazette was a naysayer. Was it a one-time event for a dying town? "...the final curtain has dropped in the Bird Cage and the last lights have gone out in the Crystal Palace."

The big stock market crash that week probably influenced that feeling! Mining barely held on; up a little, then down again over the years. Depression years were severe for those in town. Tombstone lost the County Seat to Bisbee in 1930. Historically another severe hit!

But that year, Tombstone resident Walter Lombardi bought the Crystal Palace.

Tourists visited Tombstone via the new cross-country auto route: U.S. Hwy. 80. Called Broadway of America. Tombstone became a well-known stopping point.

In 1936 Gardner, the Coles, with other pioneer Tombstoners: Mary Costello, Ethel Macia and Margaret Cummings, continued promoting Tombstone's history. Including the Crystal Palace, the Bird Cage, Boothill, Nellie Cashman's hotel, the world's largest rosebush, Schieffelin Monument, the Courthouse and others.

With U.S. WWII entry in 1941, Tombstone's population was only 822. Another terrible economic time. Mining was virtually done. Vintage buildings on sale for bargain rates! Another tourist revival was sought after the war ended. In 1948, a travel boom on U.S. Hwy. 80 saw travelers return.

Another historic Crystal Palace Saloon refurbishment. Lombardi hired Alan Branson of Associate Artists and Decorators of Tucson for back bar recreation. A Grand Opening on May 8 & 9, 1948. The Epitaph's May 13, 1948 write-up gave descriptive accolades: "grandeur and splendor for which it was noted during the heyday of Tombstone."

In 1950, Lombardi was involved on the new Tombstone Restoration Commission. Governor Garvey came to town for a banquet. Reenactments were staged, Rudolf Valentino's silent film Son of the Sheik was shown in the Crystal Palace Theater.

A close call on Allen Street on May 23, 1957! Starting in back of the Cattleman & Miner's Bar, flames seared down the street. Approaching the Crystal Palace, nearly got it before being extinguished.

Three men from the Eastern U.S., interested in history, and in making money, formed Historic Tombstone Adventures. Around 1963 they purchased numerous consequential properties.

Their first priority was the Crystal Palace Saloon. They reworked the outside for historic authenticity. As in 1882, with second story rooms. The refurbishment took five months. For purchase and renewal, it cost $190,000.²

The historic Crystal Palace has shifted ownership more times since. The importance of Crystal Palace History as a Saloon and then a theater in Tombstone's ongoing adventure is something you can relive today.

Stop in to envision what's occurred there over the years. See the re-creation of the beautiful, historic bar & back bar. Take photos, and Give Us A Look at them, if you would!! Visit Tombstone to live Wild West history!

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References

1 Weekly Republican (31 Oct., 1879). From Tuesday's Daily Herald. P. 4. Phoenix, AZ.

2 Bailey, L.R. (2004). Too tough to die. Westernlore Press. Tucson AZ

3 Weekly Epitaph (1882, July 23). Tombstone, Arizona.

4 Arizona Republic (1897, Sept. 16) P. 4. Phoenix, AZ

5 Tombstone Prospector (1918, November 11). Tombstone, AZ

6  Cannon, J.A. (2021, Feb. 28). Crystal Palace. World Encyclopedia. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/crystal-palace

All Newspaper clippings retrieved from our subscription at Newspapers.com

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