Oatman
Oatman is a living ghost town on Route 66 famous for its wild burros that roam the streets. Named af
State: Arizona
County: Mohave County
Founded: 1906
Peak Population: 3,500+ (1915)
Oatman is a living ghost town on Route 66 famous for its wild burros that roam the streets. Named after captive Olive Oatman, it was a gold mining boomtown that produced 1.8 million ounces of gold before the mines closed in 1942. The Route 66 bypass nearly killed it until tourists rediscovered this Old West gem.
Timeline
- 1851 - Olive Oatman's Captivity The town's namesake, Olive Oatman, was taken captive by Yavapai warriors after her family was attacked. She was later traded to the Mohave people and eventually released—her story becoming a national sensation.
- 1860s - Early Prospecting Prospector John Moss discovered gold in the Black Mountains and staked claims, including one he named 'Oatman.'
- 1902-1906 - Town Established Significant gold deposits led to the formation of the Vivian Mining Company. The town of Oatman grew around the mines.
- 1915 - Gold Rush Prospectors struck an estimated $10 million in gold. Population swelled to over 3,500 within a year. The Gold Road, Tom Reed, and United Eastern mines made Oatman one of Arizona's most prosperous mining districts.
- 1926 - Route 66 Arrives U.S. Route 66 was established running through Oatman. The famous highway brought travelers and gave the town economic diversity beyond mining.
- 1942 - Mines Close The U.S. government ordered gold mines shut as non-essential to World War II. The Oatman mines never reopened.
- 1953 - Route 66 Bypass A new highway bypassed Oatman, redirecting traffic away. The town nearly became a true ghost town by the 1960s.
- Present - Tourist Revival Oatman reinvented itself as a Route 66 tourist destination. Wild burros roaming the streets became its signature attraction. The Oatman Hotel still stands, and staged gunfights entertain visitors.
Plan Your Visit
Best Time: Spring or fall
Difficulty: Easy once there; steep drive on Route 66
Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Tips
- Wild burros walk the streets and approach tourists for treats
- Buy burro food from local stores - don't feed them human food
- The Oatman Hotel (1902) is where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard honeymooned
- Staged gunfights happen on weekends
- The Route 66 drive through the Black Mountains is scenic but has steep grades
Quick Facts
- Clark Gable and Carole Lombard spent their 1939 honeymoon night at the Oatman Hotel
- The wild burros are descendants of pack animals left behind when miners departed
- The Oatman District produced over 1.8 million ounces of gold
- An annual 'Burro Biscuit Toss' celebrates the town's donkey residents
- Olive Oatman, the town's namesake, bore distinctive blue chin tattoos from her time with the Mohave
Location
Address: Historic Route 66, Mohave County, Arizona
Coordinates: 35.0272, -114.3818