OATMAN, AZ
Old Route 66
It is widely reported that Oatman was named after Olive Oatman, a thirteen year old girl that had been taken captive when Indians massacred her family in 1851. Some reports say that Olive was eventually released not far from the Oatman township.
Besides vintage buildings and mining artifacts, tourists can visit the Oatman Hotel where Clark Gable and Carol Lombard honeymooned in 1939, and feed the numerous wild burros that drop for the treats the tourists buy from the rows of shops.
The population has varied from almost 10,000 in 1916, as low as 15 to the present 150 (not counting the burros). There are many interesting shops which contain something for everyone. Gunfights are performed each day, by the Oatman Ghostrider Gunfighters and the Oatman Gold Diggers. There are many fun and exciting events held in Oatman each year. Such as the Bed Races in January
In 1926 a thriving Oatman had sufficient clout to get Route 66 to pass through the mining community. Route 66 was realigned along the Yucca bypass in 1952, taking the same route that the Santa Fe Railroad had chosen half a century earlier and Interstate 40 would follow later
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