Welcome to the birthplace of one of the Wild West’s most enigmatic figures, Johnny Ringo. Right here, on E Turkey Creek Rd in Pearce, Arizona, the notorious gunslinger and outlaw was born. Ringo would grow up to become a notable figure in the tumultuous days of the American frontier, particularly during the time of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
Johnny Ringo was born on May 3, 1850, in Greens Fork, Indiana, but his family moved to Missouri in 1856. Ringo is best remembered for his involvement with the Clanton gang and the Cochise County Cowboys, a loose association of rustlers and bandits who roamed Southeast Arizona during the 1880s. The Cowboys frequently clashed with lawmen like Wyatt Earp and his brothers, who sought to bring order to the lawless boomtowns of the West.
Ringo’s reputation as a gunslinger grew, and he became known for his quick temper and skill with a revolver. Some stories even suggest that he had a rivalry with the famous Doc Holliday, though the accuracy of these tales is often debated by historians. What is certain is that Ringo’s life was marked by violence and tragedy, culminating in his mysterious death in 1882. His body was found in a grove of trees with a single gunshot wound to the head, leading to speculation about whether his death was a suicide or murder.
Today, this site serves as a reminder of the turbulent times of the Old West, a period when the boundaries between lawmen and outlaws were often blurred. While little remains to mark the exact spot of Ringo’s birth, the echoes of his life continue to fascinate and capture the imaginations of those interested in the legends of the American frontier.
