Camillus Sydney Fly, more commonly known as C.S. Fly, stands as a captivating figure in the annals of the American Old West, renowned not only for his groundbreaking photographic work but also for an unexpected turn as a frontier lawman. His camera lens captured the raw, untamed essence of Tombstone, Arizona, during its most turbulent days, providing an invaluable visual chronicle of legendary figures and the dramatic events that defined the era. His studio, the Fly Gallery, became an indispensable archive of a bygone age, preserving moments that might otherwise have been lost to history.
Early Life and Westward Migration
Born Camillus Sidney Fly in Andrew County, Missouri, in 1849, his parents, Captain Boon and Mary Percival Fly, had ambitious plans to journey west to California. However, Mary’s seventh pregnancy prompted a temporary delay in their westward migration. On May 2, 1849, Camillus was born, and just weeks later, on May 24, the family began their arduous trek across the vast American landscape. They eventually settled in Napa County, California, where Fly spent his formative years, experiencing the rapid development and expansion of the young state. This early exposure to the frontier undoubtedly shaped his adventurous spirit and keen eye for detail.
Establishing the Fly Gallery in Tombstone
In a significant personal and professional step, Camillus married Mary “Mollie” E. Goodrich on September 29, 1879, in San Francisco. Mollie, a talented photographer herself, would become an integral partner in his ventures. Soon after their marriage, the ambitious couple relocated to the booming silver mining town of Tombstone, Arizona Territory, in December 1879. They wasted no time in establishing their photographic enterprise, initially setting up a studio in a tent before constructing more permanent and elaborate quarters. In July 1880, they officially opened their renowned
