This tiny town is in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona. In 1915, two miners struck gold worth $10 million dollars, and just like that the already inhabited land grew vastly in population. In 1924, its largest mining employer, United Eastern Mines, permanently shut down operation, after they decided different metals were needed. Luckily, Oatman lies on Route 66, so it turned into a pass-through town when miners were traveling to and from both Needles, California and Kingman, Arizona. In 1953, a new route was built, and sadly, by 1960, Oatman was completely abandoned. Fast forward to the 1970s; people began passing Oatman along Route 66 again to go to nearby Laughlin, Nevada. It’s population began to grow, and in 1995 the mines reopened for a short period of about three years. Today, Oatman is a popular tourist destination that brings in over 500,000 people a year. Once a booming mining town, Oatman is home to more burros than people today, with a population of about 100.
Where did the name Oatman come from? Let us tell you…
Mary Ann and Royce Oatman lived in Illinois until 1851 when they decided to bring their seven children across the United States for a better life in California. Their Morman leader, James C. Brewster, claimed that California was the “intended place of gathering” for Mormons. While en route to California, the Oatman family temporarily settled in the Mojave territory of Yuma, Arizona. A couple of days after settling in, they were approached by a Native American tribe of 19 people, asking for food. Mary Ann and Royce shared what they could spare, but the tribe insisted on more food. When Royce said he couldn’t provide anymore in light of needing to care for his family, the tribe violently clubbed him, his wife, and four of his seven children to death. The fifth child, Lorenzo, was left for dead, and the two that remained, Mary Ann Jr. and Olive, were kidnapped by the tribe as slaves. What tribe members did not realize, is that Lorenzo survived, found care for his injuries, buried his murdered family, and searched high and low for his two remaining siblings. Unfortunately, not long after, Mary Ann Jr. died of starvation leaving behind only Olive. Olive would continue to be enslaved by the tribe and was identified by a large tattoo on her chin to avoid escape. She later was sold in exchange for vegetables and various supplies; once traded she was free. She moved to Sherman, Texas, reunited with her brother, and lived out her remaining years as a free woman. She was reunited with her family in 1903, when she suddenly died at 65 from a heart attack. Long story LONG…Oatman was named in honor of Olive Oatman’s struggles in Mohave County.
While in Oatman, our favorite points of interest were…
~ The Burros – AKA Donkeys. They roam free and you can pet and feed them!. Most of the burros are docile and used to humans being around them. If you come to Oatman in the Spring you may even see babies wandering around town. Burros were an integral part of the mining era – carrying rock and ore on their backs throughout town. Today they live a much more pleasurable lifestyle – wandering town, begging for treats, and posing for pictures!
~ The Oatman Hotel – Although no longer offering accommodations, the lobby offers food and drinks – just follow the dollar bills…they are EVERYWHERE! In addition to this site, you can visit Clark Gable and Carole Lombard’s rumored Honeymoon Suite. However underwhelming this suite may be, it is a part of history, and keep in mind, it’s a 1938 hotel suite…not a modern suite. The movie stars got hitched in Kingman, Arizona and wanted to go somewhere no one would find them! Mission Accomplished! It’s wild to think how long paparazzi have been driving celebrities crazy!
~ Judy’s Saloon – Crack a cold one, play some pool, and feel like you are right in the middle of the wild west!
~ All the stores – With a large variety of vendors, you could spend the day shopping alone. Get some ol’ fashioned candy, homemade body scrubs, quirky donkey swag, Oatman history books, jewelry, gemstones, and more! Prices are overall reasonable and you will definitely get some local made and/or one-of-a-kind items!
~ Historical landmarks – There are several landmarks in the town that you can visit while in Oatman; a gold mine, the Oatman Jail, the Oatman Hotel, the Oatman Drug Company building, and even America’s Main Street, Route 66! As previously mentioned, Route 66 runs right through Oatman!
There are a plethora of photo opps in this old town and you can easily spend the whole day here. If you visit on the weekend, the town does shootout reenactments. If you have a pet with you, beware…it’s loud!
If you are spending time in Arizona, we encourage you to check out this spot! It’s fun for the whole family and definitely not something you see everyday! We’d like to go back and visit some of the stores we missed while there.
HEE-HAW,
TnT