/ Modified mar 9, 2012 12:29 p.m.

True West Towns

Magazine's annual list of towns that celebrate their heritage names Prescott #1, slights Tombstone.

Listen to the story:

true-west-mag_2012best-cover_portrait Each year, True West Magazine ranks "The Best of the West."


Each year, True West Magazine ranks the Top Ten True Western Towns - places that honor their frontier past and preserve their historical heritage. This year, Prescott, AZ topped the list. But Southern Arizona's most famous Old West town, Tombstone, did not.

Mark Duggan talks to the magazine's Executive Editor, Bob Bose Bell, about the genesis of the list. He says he originally got the idea while visiting Sheridan, WY more than 10 years ago.

Bell's idea of "True West" towns are places that celebrate their history in a modern way. And with lots of enthusiasm. He cites the reasons why Prescott topped this year's list, and why Tombstone was notably left out.


Bob Bose Bell is also featured in True West Moments on Encore's Westerns Channel. A print version of the series also appears in Sunday's Arizona Republic newspaper. Bell talks briefly about how True West Moments came into being.


prescott-downtown_spot Prescott, AZ was named the top "True West Town" by True West Magazine.


tombstone-okcorral_spot Tourists gather around a horse-drawn carriage in Tombstone.
Mark Duggan
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona