china mary hoptownOne of the forgotten parts of Tombstone—shown briefly in the movie Tombstone—was Chinatown. It was also called Hoptown, a slang term indicating one could get opium there.

China Mary (photo) allegedly ran Chinatown, including the opium dens that were frequented by men of all nationalities and races.  The possession and use of opium was illegal, but for the most part, law enforcement did little about it.  And when someone was arrested, it was considered a minor offense—a judge fined a Chinese opium den owner $10 in 1881.

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