Oatman, Arizona – Small Town of the Week

Nestled in Arizona’s rugged and remote wilderness, this tiny town’s rich Wild West history comes to life with staged shootouts, wooden sidewalks and a bounty of burros that roam freely. At first glance, the wild burros of Oatman seem to steal the show but dig a bit deeper and you’ll discover the town’s raucous mining history and a vibrant main street that plays host to various events throughout the year.

Running right through the middle of Oatman is a stretch of the historic Route 66, the famous road that was the main highway route across the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s. Be sure to explore the road in the afternoon, as the Oatman Ghost Rider Gunfighters put on two free shows daily. The friendly performers ask the crowd to gather around in the street while they act out a heist, complete with loud gunshot blanks. And don’t forget to pick up a souvenir or two—from biker gear and mining memorabilia to donkey puppets and Southwestern art, you can find it all in the shops that line the town’s main drag.

The name Oatman was chosen in honor of Olive Oatman, a young Illinois girl who was captured and enslaved by Indians, probably from the Tolkepayas tribe, during her pioneer family’s massacre while on their journey westward in 1851. She was later sold or traded to the Mohave people, who adopted her and tattooed her face in the custom of the tribe. She was released in 1856 at Fort Yuma

Oatman is a small town on the “Mother Road” of Historic Route 66 in western Arizona. The narrow, twisty, two-lane road to or from Oatman, Arizona, is the most intimidating passageway on all of the Mother Road. These 10 miles of steep switchbacks and hairpin turns between Ed’s Camp and Oatman pass through the Black Mountains, and were once the east-west thoroughfare in that part of the country. It is a little off the beaten path but is worth the journey from Kingman to spend the day, you won’t be sorry because it’s a pretty cool place to visit! Please observe leash laws and don’t feed the donkeys in the street to cut down on traffic blockage and accidents.