Contrary to popular public perception, the O.K. Corral shootout that took place in 1881 in Tombstone, Arizona, did not take place in the O.K. Corral.

The shootout took place between 2:00-3:00 p.m. on October 26, 1881 in a vacant lot (block 17, Lot 2) bordered by Fly's Photography Studio and the residence of W. A. Harwood in Tombstone, Arizona. This vacant lot was on Fremont Street near the intersection of 3rd Street. The shootout was between the Earp brothers (Virgil, the City Marshal, Wyatt and Morgan), with their friend, Doc Holliday, and those on the opposing side, Ike and Billy Clanton, Tom and Frank McLaury and Billy Claibourne. The O.K. Corral was actually located a block away on Allen Street.

Some accounts erroneously place the fight in the alley that ran between Fremont and Allen Streets and led to the rear of the O.K. Corral. This location is about half a block from the true site of the shootout.