When Wyatt Earp died in 1929, he was better known for something that happened in a San Francisco boxing ring than for anything he did in Tombstone. That story started in Sausalito.

In November 1896, Bob Fitzsimmons came to town. He was the hardest puncher alive, a freckled Cornishman with a blacksmith’s shoulders. He was set to fight Sailor Tom Sharkey for the heavyweight championship of the world.

Fitz picked Sausalito for his training camp. He lived on the hill above the Pacific Yacht Club and trained in the club’s boathouse. The club sat on Shelter Cove, at the south end of Old Town. Today the Cote d’Azur apartments stand there.

About ten days before the fight, a visitor showed up at camp: Wyatt Earp.

Earp was 48, fifteen years past the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The former Tombstone lawman was living in San Francisco and racing horses. That summer, the Examiner had run his Tombstone stories under his name, and he was a celebrity again.

The fight promoters later said the only time they’d met Earp before fight night was at Fitzsimmons’s camp. According to court testimony, the idea of Earp as referee first came up on the ferry ride home from Sausalito.

Court testimony?!? What happened!?!

The two camps couldn’t agree on a referee. Fitzsimmons’s side rejected every name the promoters offered. Hours before the opening bell, the promoters put forward Earp, a famous lawman with a reputation for honesty.

On December 2, 1896, the fighters met at Mechanics’ Pavilion, where the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium stands today.

Wyatt Earp climbed into the ring with a revolver in his coat. A police captain took it off him.

Fitz dominated for seven rounds. In the eighth, he dropped Sharkey with a body shot. Earp called it low and gave Sharkey the fight.

The crowd was furious. Within days, the fight was a full-blown fix scandal.

Fitzsimmons sued to block Sharkey’s $10,000 purse. Earp, Sharkey and Fitzsimmons all took the stand. The judge refused to rule. Prizefighting was illegal and the court wouldn’t enforce a contract for an illegal fight. Sharkey got paid. Years later, the “doctor” who treated Sharkey that night admitted he’d faked the injury.

Nobody ever proved Earp was in on it. It didn’t matter.

The fight made Earp a household name, in the worst way. Papers across the country mocked him. Earp barely talked to reporters for the rest of his life, and he never refereed a big fight again.

In his obituary, the Los Angeles Times gave the fight about twice as many words as the O.K. Corral. The New York Times put it in the headline.

Then the story flipped. In 1931, Stuart Lake’s book Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal made him a folk hero. Hollywood built its Earp on that book. Tombstone became the legend, and the boxing call faded.

And it all traces back to a training camp in Sausalito.

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Sausalito just got a secret new bar, and it doesn’t even have a name yet. It’s downstairs at Barrel House Tavern, run by the same owners. Marin Buzz got early access and is running a cocktail class with Sausalito Liquor Company that includes a self-serve dinner spread. One weekend only, October 24 & 25, at 3pm or 6pm each day. $60. You can also see some pictures of this new venue on our Instagram post.

Two huge names are visiting Chase Center on Wednesday, May 5, 2027. Fan-club and Citi/Verizon presales started Monday, more presales run through the week, and general on-sale is Friday 10/16 at 10am on Live Nation.

Because leaving Marin might take more planning. Look for our Marin events in the Wednesday email.

The Schulz Museum marks 60 years of Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch. The sons of producer Lee Mendelson share behind-the-scenes stories at 2pm, followed by a Peanuts costume contest, a live jazz trio, and the 25-minute special on the big screen. 1-5pm, Saturday, October 17, included with museum admission.

Watch The Birds in the town where it was filmed, at the Bodega Bay Grange. Friday’s benefit screening includes a drink, popcorn, and a Tippi Hedren look-alike costume contest. Saturday adds Rear Window and Rebecca. Friday 7pm ($45), Saturday screenings at 11:30am, 2:30pm, and 7pm ($20 each), October 16-17.

Closing weekend of the ballet at Fort Mason’s Cowell Theater. There are shows Thursday through Sunday, but also a special Saturday Smuin...After Hours that pairs a shorter 7:30pm performance with a disco afterparty ($55).

The annual art, antiques, and design show fills Fort Mason with dealers, designer-built room vignettes, and lectures, this year themed “Métallique Chic.” Thursday-Sunday, October 15-18, with an opening gala Wednesday night.

Please note that this property isn’t associated with the banner sponsor above or Marin Buzz in any way. It is just a unique home you might be interested in seeing, for entertainment purposes only!

550 Edgewood Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Mill Valley has a Hobbit House for sale. That’s what locals call this shingled home tucked among redwoods, ferns, and moss-covered rocks.

It’s only half a mile from the uppermost set of Dipsea Stairs. A 2.3 mile walk down to the Muir Woods entrance.

The oldest part, now the living and dining room, is believed to have started as a simple hillside cabin. It gives it the authentic feel, with criss crossed redwood boards. Today the home is 2,577 square feet on 0.3 acres, built in 1970, with three bedrooms plus a guest room that has its own bath and a private entrance.

Outside, there are decks under the trees (don’t you love when a tree comes right up through the deck), a hot tub, a playhouse tucked into the greenery, and a seasonal waterfall.

What do you think, could you see yourself in the Hobbit House?

Web link

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Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

— Allison + Brian